Orlando ThomasProgram Manager| Southern CompanyMccalla, Al, United States
I will be working on a Project Delivery Process standardization effort with multiple PMOs; each having its own gated phase process for project implementation in a waterfall environment. Can anyone provide feedback on a similar effort or provide thoughts on focusing more on PMP industry standards of People, Process, Business Environment versus Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring & Controlling, and Closing versus CII standards of Feasibility, Concept, Detailed Scope, Detailed Design-Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Commissioning & Startup, Handover and Closeout? I think focusing more on the latest industry standards would help the group with focusing on industry best practices versus individual group best practices. Feedback or thoughts? Saving Changes...
First, there are no "best' practices when it comes to delivering unique endeavors. There are principles which are generally applicable, but practices, processes, artifacts and so on are context-specific.
While each project management association has its own standards and nomenclature, what you will want to find out is a taxonomy which works best for your company and the projects it does. I'd suggest forming a small working group with a representative from each PMO to come up with a minimally sufficient set of standards which will fit the needs of each PMO's projects.
Also, the PMBOK process groups you have listed are not phases so while you could choose to adopt the name from the Sixth Edition, be aware of the distinction as the processes are iterative and expected to be performed multiple times over the life of a project or program.
Kiron Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Orlando,
think you have to be clear what the purpose and expected benefits of such a standardization effort are. This should inform you about your power and influence over the multiple PMOs, which might work fine for their groups and may not see a reason to comply.
I would guess that it is easier to superpose a new generic process standard and map those existing to it instead of replacing the standards with something different.
In my view, there is a diffusion in standards by PMI in past 10 years, PMBoK Guide ed7 does no longer provide a suggestion for processes (and does no longer claim to give us good practices for most projects most of the time), and Prince2 or IPMA's ICB are not very much used in the US.
So, my guess is you are on your own, and this need not be a bad thing. If you go back to PMBoK ed6, you might be better off with some process ideas for projects. Or if you are open for agile, you might look at DA by PMI.
