Archive for January, 2010
January 28, 2010
Improve the Implement Project Management Methodology Service
The same three aspects of the methodology that can be evaluated can be improved:
- Implementation.
- The project management template methodology document.
- The methodology in use.
Here are typical improvements for each of these aspects of methodology implementation.
Implementation
Here are common ways to improve methodology implementation
- Improve publicity. Ensure that every methodology customer and stakeholder is encouraged to familiarize themselves with, and comply with the methodology. Especially ensure that they know what training opportunities are available, the benefits of compliance, and the consequences of non-compliance.
- Improve training. Methodologies are complex. Even highly capable project managers find them demanding even using project management software. Ensure that training reaches each customer at his level of knowledge. Also ensure that the training is as practical as possible. Project managers should leave the training able to apply the methodology and confident that doing so will improve project results.
January 25, 2010
Evaluate the Implement Project Management Methodology Service
There are three components of this service to evaluate:
- Implementation. Is the methodology reaching everyone who needs to use it? Is it easy to understand and to apply?
- The methodology document. Is the structure and content of the methodology sufficient to improve project management templates in the organization so that the PMO meets its strategic goals?
- The methodology in use. If the methodology sits on a web site unused, it will not lead to changes in project management effectiveness or efficiency.
There are four useful methods for gathering feedback from stakeholders:
- Web-based surveys. These surveys can be used particularly to ensure that everyone who would benefit from familiarity with the methodology is aware of it and has access to it. They can also be used to assess response to the methodology.
- After-class surveys. All training classes should be followed by a survey of the students assessing both the content of the class and the course delivery.
- Feedback on every page of the methodology. Every page of the project management software document – whether on a web site or in an electronic document – should have a mechanism allowing any reader to submit a question or change request.
- Controlling activities. Project reviews and audits evaluate the methodology in use. If the methodology is not coming easily into use, then either implementation, the methodology document, or incentives for compliance need to be improved.
All the information from these feedback mechanisms should be given to the PMO Methodology Expert, who logs them into the Methodology Maintenance Schedule. The PMO Methodology Expert should reply to every individual who requests clarification or a change and provide appropriate customer service.
January 21, 2010
Project Management Methodology Implementation is closely linked with the Controlling Services, as follows:
- Implement Governance. Methodology and governance are closely linked. Project Management Methodology creates a framework for what specific decisions and processes are needed. Governance defines who should make each decision and be accountable for each process. Governance, therefore, extends the project management methodology to all people in all roles in the company, and beyond using specific project management software. Implementation of governance is a way to extend the methodology so that it includes all project stakeholders, not just project teams. This improves communication, leading to higher quality and more efficiency.
- Perform Assessments. Most assessments will be used to determine the overall state of use of the project management methodology across the organization. An assessment is a general checkup telling the PMO how well the methodology is being used.
- Perform Reviews. Reviews occur at the end of each project phase, and phases are defined by the project management life cycle in the methodology. Changes to the life cycle will change the review schedule.
- Perform Audits. Audits compare actual performance to the project management methodology and the standards it contains.
Auditing should not be implemented until the methodology deployment and training are complete. All project managers should be empowered to use the project management methodology before they are evaluated with regard to how well they are using it.
January 18, 2010
If the PMIS can be delivered in time for the initial project management methodology implementation, then the PMIS implementation should occur first, and the implementation of project management methodology, standards, processes, and tools should occur second. In this way, the entire approach to online project management can be delivered once, within the PMIS, and project managers can begin using optimal tools right inside the PMIS right away.
The Implement Project Management Methodology Service is also closely linked to the Train Staff Service. Much of the content of training is the project management methodology. Also, when the methodology changes, updated training will need to be scheduled and provided.
There may be a link between project management methodology implementation and the Manage Accounts Service. If the methodology mandates certain accounting approaches, principles, or requirements, then the Manage Accounts Service should be designed with Project Management Templates to comply with the methodology.
January 14, 2010
Relationship Between the Implement Project Management Methodology Service and Other Services
The process of implementing project management methodology is closely related to the next three General Services:
Promote Standards, Improve Processes, and Standardize Tools. At a minimum, these four activities should be rolled out on an integrated schedule. It is possible to combine the four services into one, because the framework in the project management methodology is a framework for all standards, processes, and tools. The advantage of this approach is that the customers – project managers – receive everything they need to understand and implement the new approach to online project management all at once.
Methodology implementation also has a relationship to the three general processes that implement the Project Management Information System (PMIS): Support Software, Administer Databases, and Administer Knowledge Base. The timing of project management methodology implementation and these three PMIS-related services must be carefully coordinated. If a coherent project management methodology is urgently needed and the new PMIS system will take a lot of time to develop, then the project management methodology rollout should precede the PMIS rollout. In that case, the project management methodology, processes, and tools are in use before the PMIS is available. When the PMIS rolls out, putting all the project management templates, standards, processes, and tools into the PMIS will be a stage in the process.
January 11, 2010
The Methodology Outline Project Management Template provides a set of headings that can be used as a starting point for the project management methodology document. It is expected that most PMOs will expand and perhaps alter this outline to suit the needs of the organization.
The PMO Methodology Expert creates and maintains the project management methodology document following these 5 steps:
1. Copy the Project Management Methodology Outline Template to the hypertext or document project management tool that will be used to create the project management methodology.
2. Using the list of components in the Methodology Publication Schedule, adjust the table of contents and section headings so that, after the introduction, there is one section for each major component of the methodology.
3. Open the Methodology Execution Plan, and complete the items listed in the New Project Management Methodology Adoption Schedule. Place completed components into the Methodology Outline to create the Methodology Document.
4. The Project Manager should post in advance of the publication date.
5. Maintain using the Methodology Maintenance Schedule.
For a sample project management methodology schedule, complete with processes and tools, see the Method123 Project Management Methodology (MPMM™).
January 7, 2010
Outputs for the Implement Project Management Methodology Service
The output of the Implement Methodology Service exists in two forms:
- The physical, written project management methodology document, which is best presented on a web site or in another hypertext format.
- In the actual activity of managing projects following the online project management methodology.
Preparing the Methodology Document
The core project management templates document itself is likely to be ten to forty pages long. When standards, processes, and tools are added, it will be several hundred pages. When training modules are added, it is even longer. As a living document, the methodology will have portions updated frequently. Therefore, a hierarchical, modular series of independent pages is much better than a single document. A web site, or a document build in a document management system, are ideal solutions.
January 4, 2010
It is important to note that some proposed Project Management Template changes, especially requests for exceptions and suggested improvements, may be rejected. In that case, the proposed change should be entered in the Project Management Methodology Maintenance Checklist, and a note added in the New Version column saying “Proposed change rejected, project management methodology not changed.”
Note that the second, third, and fourth changes are all planned as part of a single revision of two project management software methodology components. The Organized Set of Processes and the Decision Rules will both be updated from version 1.1 to version 2.0 at the same time. The revision will add suggestions from many project managers to improve effectiveness and efficiency, and also bring the processes in line with the industry standards association.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=2a0836e9-8a8d-454b-8eeb-6403c9442d4f)
