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A project without a process is a ship without a compass Mark Sice Project Manager| Melbourne Business School Vic, Australia One of the biggest causes of confusion and rework in projects is the lack of, or immature, project-related processes. Project delivery methodologies are often implemented and governed from the top down but need to be run effectively from the bottom up. When processes aren’t understood or consistently followed, you end up with communication breakdowns, unnecessary rework, and frustration across the team and stakeholders.   To avoid this, it’s crucial to ensure that the project delivery approach is clearly defined, roles and responsibilities are solidified, and communication is consistent throughout the project. With a well-established project charter, the project manager should have the authority to delegate, control, and monitor deliverables around these agreed processes. If a process isn’t followed or is being circumvented, the project manager must have the "power" to resolve issues or escalate them before they spiral out of control.   The PMO, supported by organisational leadership, plays a key role in ensuring essential processes are in place—whether it’s project management, change management, budgeting, or resource allocation.   What are your strategies for ensuring processes are followed in your projects? Any stories or tips to share on how to handle situations when processes break down? Saving Changes... Posted: Aug 16, 2024 3:11 AM

Sort By: Newest First Chronological Votes < 1 2 > Kiron Bondale Community Champion Retired | Mentor| Retired Welland, Ontario, Canada Mark - While adherence to project principles is important, there needs to be flexibility on processes otherwise it becomes a "one size fits all" approach. Context counts, and a PM should be able to help the team to define their way of working which falls within organization PM standards and control partner guardrails. Disciplined Agile provides one approach to achieving this. Kiron ... 1 reply by Mark Sice Aug 20, 2024 1:45 AM Mark Sice ... Hi Kiron, thank you for your thoughts. I agree flexibility is important to define ways of getting things completed with quality. Saving Changes... Posted: Aug 16, 2024 8:37 AM Booma Pugazhenthi Community Champion Program Manager| United Nations Ensuring processes are followed in projects starts with clear communication and training, so everyone understands their roles and the importance of adhering to established procedures. Regular check-ins and audits can help identify any deviations early on, allowing the project manager to address them promptly. It's also important to empower the project manager with the authority to enforce processes and resolve issues swiftly. In cases where processes break down, escalating the issue to leadership can prevent further disruptions. Encouraging a culture of accountability and continuous improvement helps maintain process integrity throughout the project. ... 1 reply by Mark Sice Aug 20, 2024 2:20 AM Mark Sice ... Thanks Booma, I like the regular chat ups / Audits plus the "culture of accountability and continuous improvement helps maintain process integrity throughout the project" - that's the one that needs the most focus I think. Saving Changes... Posted: Aug 16, 2024 11:04 AM Sergio Luis Conte Helping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based Organizations Buenos Aires, Argentina you always has a process. it is implicit or explicit but you always has a process. so, the key is being aware what "type" is in place to determine measures which will be your compass. ... 1 reply by Mark Sice Aug 20, 2024 2:21 AM Mark Sice ... Thanks Sergio, I agree on putting measures in place for the type of process being used. Saving Changes... Posted: Aug 17, 2024 8:30 AM Eduard Hernandez Community Champion Senior Project Manager| Prothya Biosolutions Amsterdam, Netherlands I have encountered situations where the established process was bypassed, such as when crucial decisions were made outside the designated forum (steering committee). Although there were valid reasons for doing so, if this occurs repeatedly, it indicates that the processes need to be reviewed and adapted. A process should facilitate a smooth workflow, not add unnecessary complexity or obstacles. ... 1 reply by Mark Sice Aug 20, 2024 2:23 AM Mark Sice ... Hi Eduard, that is an interesting one by bypassing the SteerCo and agreed processes. It would not make me happy :) Saving Changes... Posted: Aug 19, 2024 9:27 AM Keith Novak Tukwila, Wa, USA Defined processes become more important when results need to be repeatable (the same person can get the same result) and reliable (different people can get the same result). The more people must work independently and consistent results are important, the more important it is to do via a prescribed and proven method. On the other hand, if you're going to perform some unique task only once, and there is sufficient communication that people can work together to achieve a shared vision, then allowing flexibility may be preferable. You can start getting results quicker than you can document the process. I sometimes use a blended approach. We will find something that works initially experimenting as we go, and when we find what does work, we document that process for those who follow after us. ... 1 reply by Mark Sice Aug 20, 2024 2:25 AM Mark Sice ... Hi Keith, I like a blended approach - being able to adapt to the situation. I was referring to having an agreed process which could be a new or old process. Saving Changes... Posted: Aug 19, 2024 11:17 AM Thomas Walenta Global Project Economy Expert| self Hackenheim, Germany Mark, yes, agree. Processes with roles and responsibilities provide structure, clarity, and security about the next steps and who is going to do what. A PMO can support processes and align them organization-wide. Processes, such as risk management, change management, and scope management, can be defined in a project management plan or an organizational methodology (a PM handbook). ... 1 reply by Mark Sice Aug 20, 2024 2:26 AM Mark Sice ... Thanks for your thoughts, Thomas! Saving Changes... Posted: Aug 19, 2024 11:33 AM Mark Sice Project Manager| Melbourne Business School Vic, Australia Aug 16, 2024 8:37 AM Replying to Kiron Bondale ... Mark - While adherence to project principles is important, there needs to be flexibility on processes otherwise it becomes a "one size fits all" approach. Context counts, and a PM should be able to help the team to define their way of working which falls within organization PM standards and control partner guardrails. Disciplined Agile provides one approach to achieving this. Kiron Hi Kiron, thank you for your thoughts. I agree flexibility is important to define ways of getting things completed with quality. Saving Changes... Posted: Aug 20, 2024 1:45 AM Mark Sice Project Manager| Melbourne Business School Vic, Australia Aug 16, 2024 11:04 AM Replying to Booma Pugazhenthi ... Ensuring processes are followed in projects starts with clear communication and training, so everyone understands their roles and the importance of adhering to established procedures. Regular check-ins and audits can help identify any deviations early on, allowing the project manager to address them promptly. It's also important to empower the project manager with the authority to enforce processes and resolve issues swiftly. In cases where processes break down, escalating the issue to leadership can prevent further disruptions. Encouraging a culture of accountability and continuous improvement helps maintain process integrity throughout the project. Thanks Booma, I like the regular chat ups / Audits plus the "culture of accountability and continuous improvement helps maintain process integrity throughout the project" - that's the one that needs the most focus I think. Saving Changes... Posted: Aug 20, 2024 2:20 AM Mark Sice Project Manager| Melbourne Business School Vic, Australia Aug 17, 2024 8:30 AM Replying to Sergio Luis Conte ... you always has a process. it is implicit or explicit but you always has a process. so, the key is being aware what "type" is in place to determine measures which will be your compass. Thanks Sergio, I agree on putting measures in place for the type of process being used. Saving Changes... Posted: Aug 20, 2024 2:21 AM Mark Sice Project Manager| Melbourne Business School Vic, Australia Aug 19, 2024 9:27 AM Replying to Eduard Hernandez ... I have encountered situations where the established process was bypassed, such as when crucial decisions were made outside the designated forum (steering committee). Although there were valid reasons for doing so, if this occurs repeatedly, it indicates that the processes need to be reviewed and adapted. A process should facilitate a smooth workflow, not add unnecessary complexity or obstacles. Hi Eduard, that is an interesting one by bypassing the SteerCo and agreed processes. It would not make me happy :) Saving Changes... Posted: Aug 20, 2024 2:23 AM < 1 2 >

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