Listed below is summary information on our experience with deployments of enterprise project management offices. These were deployed from a range of different industries such as data management and technology, utilities, banking and insurance. Activities that were considered in-scope were:
The most critical aspect of deploying a project management office (PMO) is the initial determination of what you want to accomplish. Our experience can help you determine the type of PMO needed:
A second critical decision to be made when deploying a PMO is the methodology. It's very important that the method used to manage projects matches the needs of your organization. A "one size fits all" mindset may cause undue frustration and even failure of your deployment. We'll help you identify the right method for managing your projects.
The integration of your PMO within your business can help you with other general management processes, such as budgeting, forecasting of headcount and human resources, and strategic objectives. Our resources can help you understand the advantages of this approach and steer you away from the pitfalls that can potentially arise.
Software is expensive. The last thing you need is to purchase a costly tool and fail to utilize it. Gaining buy-in from your management team and staff can be challenging. We understand that you don't want to create inefficiencies and frustrate your staff by expecting them to use a tool for which they don't see a need. Let us help you determine which tools you need and how you can support them in a cost-effective manner.
Time-reporting. Have you ever tried it? Have you asked your staff to do it, only to have them reject the notion for any number of reasons? We've all heard - and possibly made - an argument against time-reporting. It's time-consuming. It can leave employees feeling as if someone is looking over their shoulder. The data being gathered may not translate into meaningful results. One thing is certain: if you fail to tell your staff why you need them to report time, they may not give information that you can trust. Our resources have been on both sides of this discussion and are ready to help you sell resource management to your staff.