For the last year, a group of project management experts from different areas of our Information Technology division, have been defining the new and improved process for managing projects (previously non-existent). Today we find ourselves with the dilemma of how we can measure improvements in this area when previously there was no formal process for managing projects. Furthermore, there exists a perception in some levels of management that project management was just fine, making it more imperative to have the correct measures, so we can show the value of the improvements.
I'm looking for some information or advice on the best way to measure improvement under these circumstances, and maybe some examples of successful or not so successful efforts in other companies. Saving Changes...
Sort By:
Michael WoodProject Manager / Business Analyst / Business Process Improvement Guru| Independent ContractorGig Harbor, Wa, United States
Rolando, measuring improvement starts with defining the GAP in value between how things are done now and how things could be done once the improvement is in place. The GAP represents the reason for change. When defining this GAP it is imperative that you describe it in mearusable terms. These measurements must be meaningful to management. I suggest you take the time to define the value gap in your organization's project management processes. It is there you will find the answers you seek. Saving Changes...
This is the same problem i am currently facing Rolando. Michael, thanks for your commments - gave me some good ideas. One of the avenues I am currently looking into is measuring the % deviation from plan. I'm hoping that in capturing current project information and then measuring the current % deviation from plan I will be able to measure improvement at regular intervals in the future. Of course this is not a good way of measuring cultural improvement - but its a start :-) Saving Changes...
Perfect way to start Stephannie, but I guess you need to calculate the Percentage deviation from plan in two counts, one Percentage deviation from plan on Perfromance and the other percentage devaition from plan on conformance. Added to this if you could set the goals for the plan before the start of the plan, it would definetly give you a direction towards improvement in heaps. Saving Changes...
