I have concerns regarding a specific business approach and conflicting priorities and objectives. Programme delivery suffers from lack of clarity in approach and many agendas. Current escalation process is not effective. Problem applies to one business (our of 10 in scope) it’s a global regulatory programme with material impact resulting from failure. what means do I have to bring it to light outside of STC and sponsor? Saving Changes...
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Deepesh RammoorthyICT Project Manager ( PMP®AgilePM®Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM®))| Australian Red Cross Blood ServiceTarneit, Vic, Australia
Hi Dorota
I see two different options for your problem statement.
You can definitely call for an independent Program Quality Audit. This audit can be conducted by a department who is not directly involved in your program, within the organisation or by an external organisation . It will definitely be cost effective to conduct one from within the organization by someone from Quality Assurance department.
However, you must inform the project sponsor and get them on-board with why you wish the audit to be performed (the reasons you have alluded to in your question). If the sponsor understands the Issues and they have been receiving communications from you regarding these, they will permit the independent audit .
Note however that the audits can take time and the recommendations that come out of it may also take time to implement . you need to keep executing your program while the audit is on.
Alternately , you can get all the key stakeholders in a room and conduct a process improvement workshop. Here you can invite a qualified and independent workshop facilitator to keep the agenda and objectives on track. Remember that you need to focus on the problem and not on the people. If you hold such a collaborative workshop and encourage active participation, you can come out of it for some action items for improvement and pick out the top few that you can execute immediately. Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
In my personal opinion you have to return to the basement or foundation. Which is the reason to start a project? To create a product/service/result. Why this product/service/result is created? Because is the solution to a business problem. How the business problem emerge? Because the need to put the strategy in action. So, go to the people that is on charge to put the strategy into action or on charge to formulate the strategy with all the facts (objective ones) on hand and explain the situation with the objetcive they must decide about what to do. Saving Changes...
I feel that the key sentence here is "Current escalation process is not effective. ". Without a working escalation process the project cannot succeed.
Yes an independant external audit would be valuable, although it may well primarily identify things you already know. The question then is will your sponsor take action upon the audit's recommendations, and will anyone above the Sponsor get to view the audit? Saving Changes...
The PM's concern about a specific business approach and conflicting priorities/ objectives is fairly common in the large programs. Here, you are in a difficult spot primarily due to the lack of cooperation from the sponsor/ stakeholders despite escalations. In your situation, any leader should seek expert opinion on the matter as well as possible remedial actions. I see Deepesh has already shared some good points.
The engagement of external auditors at any agency requires 'a proper resolution' at the appropriate governing level. You may want to revisit Project Charter and related business documents to explore your authority and determine possible actions.
Also, your organization should have established some approved organizational practices to address such a situation. I hope you find the right help and share your experience with us. Good luck! Saving Changes...
