Randall CarltonDirector - Professsional Services Group/PMO| GeoFields Inc.Atlanta, Ga, United States
I am tasked with creating a PMO to better standardize, organize, and streamline our project management program. I have been successful in conducting internal stakeholder interviews and producing a credible PMO Charter now signed off and distributed by the CEO. I am now moving on to creating a Project Procedural Manual as a deliverable for the Charter. This will define the project management methodologies, templates, and guides for PMs (and other affected entities) within our company.
Is there a doc template or similar guide or examples aligned with PMBOK that would assist me in creating such a beast? I could create one from scratch, but would not like to have to reinvent the wheel from the ground up.
A most critical ssue is that your organization at the executive level MUST fully support your newly developed Project Management Methodology in order for it to be a success. If you get nil or very little support from upper management, your newly developed methodology will fail. Same thing for a newly developed Project Management Office.
Best to show upper management some quick results on how your methodology has added value to your organziation: e.g: improvements in the area of project time, cost, and/or scope. Saving Changes...
Randall CarltonDirector - Professsional Services Group/PMO| GeoFields Inc.Atlanta, Ga, United States
Absolutely agree. We are introducing EVM as a project monitoring and control technique already with good feedback and success. Yes, there has to be "quick" ROI for the PMO in my book to substantiate value in the forefront. Luckily for us, our PMO is CEO-initiated and championed. Saving Changes...
Looks like you have struck a nerve. I too would appreciate any info that would help me with the continued rollout of our PMO.
[email protected] Saving Changes...
Matthew PateePMO Director| ABM IndustriesBenicia, Ca, United States
Randall, I would like to see what you have as well.
FYI - there are a ton of government organizations that post their PM policies, procedures, methodologies, templates, etc.
Google search on "project management policy and procedures". Look for the results with a .gov or .edu (this will eliminate all of the vendor that want to sell you something and provide you with organizations that publicize the bulk of what you are looking for.
Randall, I would highly recommend the gantthead PMO Management Package. I have implemented the Processes On Demand "framework" at my current and last PMO. I also agree that a PMO content asset framework is of much more value than a methodology manual. The PMO "framework" drives the PMO value. A methodology manual just kills trees. Also, based on my own experience looking at the various .gov and .edu methodology documents, I wouldn't waste time with them. To the contrary of Mr. Patee's advice, I would definitely look at the vendors who are tyring to sell you something. For one, the quality and fit for use of their offerings will be much better. And for another, the vendor price tag is perhaps the best litmus test of what "putting it together yourself" would (at minimum) cost. In fact, when it comes to cobbling together a project management methodology from scratch and all that follows for a PMO, you will likely find that "free" is your most expensive and shortest lived alternative. As you mentioned, this looks like a nice niche for someone. It very much is. At the time I last implemented it, the Processes On Demand component of the gantthead PMO Management Package had been implemented by 100s of PMOs and was the stand out leader in this niche space - PMO Content Assets. In addition to the gantthead PMO Management Package, you might have a look at PM Solution's PMCOP, IIL's UPMM, and Tensteps. Quality, cost, time - I would definitely "buy" not "build". Good luck...! Saving Changes...
Randall:
Lot of of great conversation on this topic.
Matthew you are quite right.; launching of PMOs in many organizations including government has certainly added value and are worth investing time to research and review the availability of shared knowledge and resources. Actually, besides gantthead.com products there have been an increase in national award winning private and public sector project management organizations who've developed outstanding enterprise programs.
Let me share some of the leading organizations I've researched lately who've rolled out successful PMOs that includes but is not limited to methodologies, training templates and programs designed to advance the profession, provide training to their PMO resources and achieve a ROI for their organizations.
2009: Rockwell Automation, Alcatel-Lucent, Australian Securities Exchange, Cisco Services, Regence
2008: Accident Fund Insurance, CPS Energy, Hewitt Associates, National Council on Compensation Insurance, R.L. Polk
2007: Norton Healthcare, EDS, National Council on Compensation Insurance, New York City Housing Authority
2006: EDS, Accident Fund Insurance, Oklahoma Dept. of Human Services, American Power Conversion
When you are trying to create new procedure manual, I strongly suggest you to do best practice analysis.
I am sure many managers within the organization would have successfully managed the projects. Try to get the templates and the best practices followed by them. It is always better to evolve the procedure from internal practice rather than getting standard templates. If you try to use standard templates, I am sure in future that will undergo changes!
Best Regards,
Vivekanandan M Saving Changes...
Randall CarltonDirector - Professsional Services Group/PMO| GeoFields Inc.Atlanta, Ga, United States
Thanks, all!
Anne, I have seen the demos and was impressed with the product. However, I am restricted by the cost of it initially. Saving Changes...
Andrew MakarProgram Manager| AMAKAR LLCOakland Township, Mi, United States
