How do Best Practices for Project Management in the Public Sector differ from Best Practices for Project Management in the Private Sector?
George LewisProgram/Project Manager| DXC Technology CompanyHeredia, Costa Rica
How do Best Practices for Project Management in the Public Sector differ from Best Practices for Project Management in the Private Sector? Saving Changes...
I'm not a fan of "Best Practices" as what's best for one context might be bad for another.
In terms of good practices, the differences would be driven by the difference in constraints and contexts. For example, many public sector projects are not driven by a profit motive whereas that is the norm for many private sector projects. As such, a PM might need to invest more effort in really understanding the "why" behind a public sector project's business case.
Stakeholder management is always crucial but can be even more crucial on public sector projects given the tremendous variety of stakeholder groups. Processes such as Public Consultation provide a good method of gauging stakeholder attitude towards a given project.
Public sector projects also will usually be affected by much stricter regulatory and compliance influences than a typical private sector project - procurement policies being just one example of these.
Kiron Saving Changes...
Jone MataitogaSite Engineer| Housing Authority of FijiSuva, Fiji
Best practice for private sector is profit biased while public sector tries to work within budget allocations
There is a more stricter control in the private sector towards the "Best practice" culture than the public sector, like not to be overly "Best practice" due to cost implications
The private sector may target above 50% of the Best practice requirement to fulfil its obligations Saving Changes...
Your question brings two question to my mind.
First what is best practice?
Second if both seeks benefits, why would it be different best practice? Saving Changes...
Since one is driven by profits and the other (supposedly) the public good, the differences are in how they both achieve their own best practices given their strategic objectives. In the public sector, they have more of a noose around their neck in terms of what they can and can't do (ie. regulations), which is why the best "best practices" seem to be in the private sector. Saving Changes...
