Michael DelaneyPartner| Delaney Management LLCWest Chester, Pa, United States
I work with small companies who have little or no project management experience. I am interested in best methods of introducing project management practices.
I usually start with a basic overview of project management concepts and start by setting up smaller projects using very basic templates.
I would appreciate suggestions of best approaches. Saving Changes...
Michael, perhaps the first thing is to show them the benefits of project management and how projects and best practices can help their small company derive value. When you start with this approach, you will invariably gain buy in and enthusiasm for any project initiative. Then perhaps look at what processes and level of governance these projects require. It could be very minimal, but there needs to be something that points to central management or at least standardization (and you have begun this by creating templates). Once you have done these things, then you and the stakeholders can come up with some basic metrics or KPI's that will measure the value of these project initiatives, which assuming they are successful, will build on the next project and standards through process improvement.
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1 reply by Michael Delaney
Mar 25, 2018 12:35 PM
Michael Delaney
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Sante
Very good advice, Typically I have done some business assessment which has created the projects that are required with specific objectives which include deliverables and KPIs. A focus on the why is good motivation. The difficulty is that some of these companies are just starting a team approach to their tasks and must develop basic management skills
Always start with why - if the audience doesn't intuitively get why project management is important, make it real for them by highlighting challenges they've experienced with recent projects which were not managed in a disciplined manner.
Focus your near term changes on educating stakeholders and on getting consistent, quality execution of a simple set of practices that project leaders and teams develop with you.
Kiron Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
When I do that what helps to me is this. People must understand that they are performing project management from the time they wake up to the time they go to bed. They are planning they life thinking about scope, time, risk, cost, communication, etc, etc. You can make exercises with them and they will visualize that. The point is the degree of formality to use where it is related to the life cycle to use and documentation to create. No matter small or hugh companies the degree of complexity is the same what vary is the degree of formality. Why? Because all we do inside companies is about to reduce risk.
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1 reply by Michael Delaney
Mar 25, 2018 11:47 PM
Michael Delaney
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Sergio
I like your suggestion of relating the project management activities to what they already do everyday. That builds the familiarity and eases acceptance but creating a common framework for discussion.
Saving Changes...
Michael DelaneyPartner| Delaney Management LLCWest Chester, Pa, United States
Mar 24, 2018 5:56 PM
Replying to Sante Delle-Vergini, PhD
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Michael, perhaps the first thing is to show them the benefits of project management and how projects and best practices can help their small company derive value. When you start with this approach, you will invariably gain buy in and enthusiasm for any project initiative. Then perhaps look at what processes and level of governance these projects require. It could be very minimal, but there needs to be something that points to central management or at least standardization (and you have begun this by creating templates). Once you have done these things, then you and the stakeholders can come up with some basic metrics or KPI's that will measure the value of these project initiatives, which assuming they are successful, will build on the next project and standards through process improvement.
Sante
Very good advice, Typically I have done some business assessment which has created the projects that are required with specific objectives which include deliverables and KPIs. A focus on the why is good motivation. The difficulty is that some of these companies are just starting a team approach to their tasks and must develop basic management skills Saving Changes...
SUBODH KUMARManager -IT Application| SAUD BAHWAN GROUP, Muscat (Oman)Ghaziabad, India
Hi
In my view first you need to educate basics of Project . Each and everyone must know what is project and operations.
You can setup your own project management framework.
Just to start with following:-
- Project Charter
- Project Management Plan(Setting up Baseline)
- Change Management
- Project Management Monitoring and feedback
As per your need make basic templates and checklist.
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1 reply by Michael Delaney
Mar 25, 2018 11:52 PM
Michael Delaney
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Subodh
Excellent point about clarifying the difference between project and operations. I difficult task when most team members will be limited part-time at best.
Saving Changes...
Michael DelaneyPartner| Delaney Management LLCWest Chester, Pa, United States
Mar 25, 2018 10:57 AM
Replying to Sergio Luis Conte
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When I do that what helps to me is this. People must understand that they are performing project management from the time they wake up to the time they go to bed. They are planning they life thinking about scope, time, risk, cost, communication, etc, etc. You can make exercises with them and they will visualize that. The point is the degree of formality to use where it is related to the life cycle to use and documentation to create. No matter small or hugh companies the degree of complexity is the same what vary is the degree of formality. Why? Because all we do inside companies is about to reduce risk.
Sergio
I like your suggestion of relating the project management activities to what they already do everyday. That builds the familiarity and eases acceptance but creating a common framework for discussion. Saving Changes...
Michael DelaneyPartner| Delaney Management LLCWest Chester, Pa, United States
Mar 25, 2018 12:44 PM
Replying to SUBODH KUMAR
...
Hi
In my view first you need to educate basics of Project . Each and everyone must know what is project and operations.
You can setup your own project management framework.
Just to start with following:-
- Project Charter
- Project Management Plan(Setting up Baseline)
- Change Management
- Project Management Monitoring and feedback
As per your need make basic templates and checklist.
Subodh
Excellent point about clarifying the difference between project and operations. I difficult task when most team members will be limited part-time at best.
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1 reply by SUBODH KUMAR
Mar 26, 2018 4:28 AM
SUBODH KUMAR
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No issue, one person may be work on operational jobs as well as part time in any Project. I would like to say each members must have clarity on Project and Operational jobs. As per your need customize frame work can be made, which everyone can follow. Start with basic framework that suits your requirements . This may be iterative (half year review) , which will enable you to inject project management in your organization.
Saving Changes...
SUBODH KUMARManager -IT Application| SAUD BAHWAN GROUP, Muscat (Oman)Ghaziabad, India
Mar 25, 2018 11:52 PM
Replying to Michael Delaney
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Subodh
Excellent point about clarifying the difference between project and operations. I difficult task when most team members will be limited part-time at best.
No issue, one person may be work on operational jobs as well as part time in any Project. I would like to say each members must have clarity on Project and Operational jobs. As per your need customize frame work can be made, which everyone can follow. Start with basic framework that suits your requirements . This may be iterative (half year review) , which will enable you to inject project management in your organization. Saving Changes...
