Where can I find metrics that demonstrate the benefits of using proj mgmt?
Paul BunnIT Project Manager| Paul Bunn & Associates LLCWilsonville, Or, United States
As with most of you, I have, on occasion, found a need to find metrics that demonstrate the value of using project management best practices for an organization (e.g., from Kissflow, "9.9% of every dollar is wasted due to poor project performance.") As a sound bite, that sounds rather sexy but obviously, without some clarification on some key points (i.e., "proper project performance"), it leaves more questions that it answers. And while I can find any number of metrics scouring the web, my preference is to reference metrics from PMI. You would think that in PMI, there would be volumes of such stats available in white papers, presentations, Pulse articles, etc. But during a recent search, I found nothing (or at least something published in the last five years.) (BTW, IMHO, I think that lack of key metrics should be escalated to the PMI board, thoughts?) Note that I have found a few instances of other users asking for the same metrics 10+ years ago but most respondents just answered in generalities (as you might expect reading the PMBOK.) I would appreciate receiving some metrics, preferably from PMI but any reliable source will do. Thank you! Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
In my opinion and personal experience you have to find "agnostic" metrics. PMI´s metrics have some bias into it. Second, there is a difference between using project management and using "project management best practices" because in this case you have to define what it does mean or what organization you agree is stating those best practices. When I have to sell this inside organizations I do not use metrics mainly because the environment or business domain have an impact in those metrics. What I use is benefits based on actual situation and the future situation the organization is desiring to achieve thanks the use of project management. Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Paul,
PMI did fund significantly money into researching the value of project management back from 2004 to 2008, Janice Thomas and Mark Mullaly were the authors presenting the results in a book of 400+ pages and many pitches.
In a nutshell: there is no one-size-fits-all value proposition for project management (what a pity!, but also an insight).
In my personal opinion, traditional project management is a belief system, and much more is that true for the agile world. Belief systems help us see the world in simple models, that we can grasp, but they can never be proven to be right (indeed someone said every model is wrong, some are useful).
There are 'change makers' out there in real life and they make stuff happen, not bothering about scope/schedule/cost or an agile mindset. The value is not in project management but in the achievement (and even that is a belief, what if we see time as not linear but cyclic).
Thomas
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2 replies by Luis Branco and Paul Bunn
Sep 05, 2021 10:25 AM
Luis Branco
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Dear Thomas I was unaware of the existence of a study of this nature thanks for sharing and for your contribution to our reflection on the theme: "The value is not in project management but in the achievement (and even that is a belief, what if we see time as not linear but cyclic)."
Peter RapinSubject Matter Expect; Project Delivery| Independent ConsultantOntario, Canada
I usually go back to risk management. What could go wrong (risk) and what is available in terms of mitigation (how can we deal with it). Project management is a mitigating measure to manage project risk. This also allows you to define the extent and type of project management based on project need rather than applying the whole PM enchilada.
Rather than thinking in terms of: "...the value of using project management best practices for an organisation" I suggest: "...the value of using project management best practices for a project".
The idea is not to throw the PMBOK at everything but select effective management techniques from the project management world for the successful delivery of individual projects.
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1 reply by Paul Bunn
Sep 05, 2021 8:16 PM
Paul Bunn
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Agree - Thank you.
Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Sep 03, 2021 10:02 AM
Replying to Thomas Walenta
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Paul,
PMI did fund significantly money into researching the value of project management back from 2004 to 2008, Janice Thomas and Mark Mullaly were the authors presenting the results in a book of 400+ pages and many pitches.
In a nutshell: there is no one-size-fits-all value proposition for project management (what a pity!, but also an insight).
In my personal opinion, traditional project management is a belief system, and much more is that true for the agile world. Belief systems help us see the world in simple models, that we can grasp, but they can never be proven to be right (indeed someone said every model is wrong, some are useful).
There are 'change makers' out there in real life and they make stuff happen, not bothering about scope/schedule/cost or an agile mindset. The value is not in project management but in the achievement (and even that is a belief, what if we see time as not linear but cyclic).
Thomas
Dear Thomas I was unaware of the existence of a study of this nature thanks for sharing and for your contribution to our reflection on the theme: "The value is not in project management but in the achievement (and even that is a belief, what if we see time as not linear but cyclic)." Saving Changes...
Paul BunnIT Project Manager| Paul Bunn & Associates LLCWilsonville, Or, United States
Paul BunnIT Project Manager| Paul Bunn & Associates LLCWilsonville, Or, United States
Sep 03, 2021 10:02 AM
Replying to Thomas Walenta
...
Paul,
PMI did fund significantly money into researching the value of project management back from 2004 to 2008, Janice Thomas and Mark Mullaly were the authors presenting the results in a book of 400+ pages and many pitches.
In a nutshell: there is no one-size-fits-all value proposition for project management (what a pity!, but also an insight).
In my personal opinion, traditional project management is a belief system, and much more is that true for the agile world. Belief systems help us see the world in simple models, that we can grasp, but they can never be proven to be right (indeed someone said every model is wrong, some are useful).
There are 'change makers' out there in real life and they make stuff happen, not bothering about scope/schedule/cost or an agile mindset. The value is not in project management but in the achievement (and even that is a belief, what if we see time as not linear but cyclic).
Thomas
A deep discussion and a bit dated - Thank you. Saving Changes...
Paul BunnIT Project Manager| Paul Bunn & Associates LLCWilsonville, Or, United States
Sep 03, 2021 7:50 PM
Replying to Peter Rapin
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I usually go back to risk management. What could go wrong (risk) and what is available in terms of mitigation (how can we deal with it). Project management is a mitigating measure to manage project risk. This also allows you to define the extent and type of project management based on project need rather than applying the whole PM enchilada.
Rather than thinking in terms of: "...the value of using project management best practices for an organisation" I suggest: "...the value of using project management best practices for a project".
The idea is not to throw the PMBOK at everything but select effective management techniques from the project management world for the successful delivery of individual projects.
PMI Team Member
