Building a Scheduling Center of Excellence in the PMO Michelle Colodzin, PMP, PMI-SP, MCTS MetaVista...
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Transcript of Building a Scheduling Center of Excellence in the PMO Michelle Colodzin, PMP, PMI-SP, MCTS MetaVista...
Building a Scheduling Center of Excellence in the PMOMichelle Colodzin, PMP, PMI-SP, MCTSMetaVista Consulting GroupSr. Project Manager
A Few Notes
Unless otherwise noted, the roles of Project Manager (PM) and Project Scheduler are used interchangeably
PMs are assumed to create and maintain their own project schedules
A Few Notes
This presentation is a follow-on to The Five Secrets of Project Scheduling
It is not necessary to have detailed knowledge of The Five Secrets of Project Scheduling to understand or benefit from the information presented here
This presentation provides a high-level overview of the ‘Five Secrets’ but does not go into detail
The Five Secrets of Project Scheduling is available from the presenter or on the PMI Virtual Library for those who want more information
Agenda
Overview of The Five Secrets of Project Scheduling
Understanding the Scheduling Center of ExcellenceDefining the Scheduling Center of Excellence Benefits of a Scheduling Center of Excellence
Building a Scheduling Center of ExcellenceGaining Buy-in and SupportIdentifying the Strengths and Maturity Level of the PMOCreating a PlanEstablishing the Scheduling Center of ExcellenceGrowing the Scheduling Center of Excellence
Introduction
What are the Five Secrets of Project Scheduling
The ‘Five Secrets’ are five factors that help project managers build good project schedules that are easy to maintain
They need to be applied consistently to provide the best benefits
It can be difficult to take full advantage of all of the ‘secrets’ without the structure and support of a centralized organization
This centralized organization is called a “Scheduling Center of Excellence” (SCoE)
The “Five Secrets”
#1: Create deliverables-based project schedules
#2: Determine and apply the appropriate level of detail
#3: Implement a regular status update and reporting process
#4: Review and adjust the schedule regularly
#5: Create and follow scheduling standards
The “Five Secrets” Why Should I Care?
Most PMs are aware that a good project schedule improves the chance of project success, but:
Many PMs feel it takes too much time to build and maintain a good schedule
Most schedules are built as quickly as possible and then either poorly maintained or abandoned
This reinforces the notion that good scheduling practices take time away from managing the project
The “Five Secrets” Why Should I Care?
A good schedule provides critical information that can help PMs focus their time and efforts resulting in:
Increased efficiency
Identification and avoidance or mitigation of potential problems before they occur
A well built project schedule minimizes the time required to maintain it when following good schedule management practices
Definition of PMO
The term ‘PMO’ has different meanings in different organizations
Project Management OfficeProgram Management OfficePortfolio Management Office
Organizations may have one or many PMOs
Secret # 5 and the PMO
What are some examples of proven approaches to minimizing the time to build and maintain a project schedule
Secret # 5 and the PMO
Some successful approaches include:Use schedule templates created from similar projects
Apply the same standards to all schedules
Learn from the successes and pitfalls of other projects and project managers (apply lessons learned)
Follow processes that have worked well in the past
Leverage pre-configured scheduling tools and templates that are aligned with scheduling standards
The Scheduling Center of Excellence
These approaches are most effective when applied through a centralized scheduling function within the PMO
A SCHEDULING CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
Defining the Scheduling Center of Excellence
Definition of the Scheduling Center of Excellence
A Scheduling Center of Excellence (SCoE) is defined as a group or
organization that develops, champions and supports the
consistent use of proven project scheduling practices throughout its
scope of control or influence.
The Components of a Scheduling Center of Excellence
Staff with the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) to:
Build and manage good project schedules
Define scheduling standards
Evaluate, select and implement scheduling tools templates and tools aligned with the selected scheduling standards
Create templates and tools aligned with the selected scheduling standards
Define and collect metrics to track compliance and project success rates over time
The Components of a Scheduling Center of Excellence
Processes for: Continuous improvement
Documenting and categorizing project histories and key statistics
Lessons learned repository
Sufficient authority or influence to enforce processes and practices
An outreach and training program for PMs
Executive management willing to actively support and
promote the SCoE
The Benefits of a Scheduling Center of
Excellence
Organizational Benefits of a Scheduling Center of Excellence
A more efficient operation and workforce that can:Take on more simultaneous projects Take on more complex projects Respond more quickly to legislative or regulatory changes
Decreased costs
Increased profitability
HR Benefits of a Scheduling Center of Excellence
More productive and highly skilled PMs
A clear career path for PMs
Better job satisfaction and morale
Reduced attrition rates among PMs
Planning a Scheduling Center of Excellence
Steps to Building a Scheduling Center of Excellence
Gain executive buy-in and support
Identify the strengths and maturity level of the PMO
Create a Plan
Establish the SCoE
Grow the SCoE
Gaining Executive Buy-in and Support
Step 1: Understand how the PMO is aligned with the organization’s goals and objectives
Step 2: Determine how a SCoE can contribute to these goals and objectives
Step 1: Understand How the PMO is Aligned
Understand exactly what is expected of the PMO:ScopeBudgetHow do executives measure the PMO’s performance (including metrics, if applicable)
Understand the evolution of the PMOOriginal business drivers that led to its creationHow has its charter and scope changed over timeMajor successes and failures
Step 2: Determine How the SCoE Can Contribute
Determine how the SCoE will contribute to the success of: The PMO
The organization as a whole
The decision-maker(s) within the organizationRemember that decisions are made by peopleMost people want to know “what’s in it for me” before taking a risk
Identify the Strengths and Maturity Level of the PMO
All organizations have strengths and areas where they can improveA key to success is understanding how to build on the strengths and where the SCoE can help improve the PMO and organization
Strengths Improvement Opportunities
Dedicated staff willing to learn Inexperienced project managers and high turn-over rates
A culture open to new ideas and taking risks
75% of projects are over budget by more than 15%
Ability to learn from mistakes 80% of projects finish late by more than 25%
Identify the Strengths and Maturity Level of the PMO
Characteristics of a mature PMO include:Clear, well defined processes that are followed and enforcedTemplates and tools that are used regularly by PMsThe ability to gather and track metricsLessons learned and project history repositories
More mature organizations may be able to take on several goals and objectives early on
Less mature organizations will need to start small and build on successes
Create a Plan
Define the goals and objectives
Determine how success will be measured
Identify the required changes
Pitch your idea
Define the Goals and Objectives
Build on the strengths of the PMODefine the goals and objectives of the SCoE
Review the benefits, strengths and improvement opportunities Identify a small number of improvement opportunities that leverage strengths and provide the biggest benefits
Strengths
Improvement
Opportunities
Goals and Objectives
Benefits
Dedicated staff willing to learn
Inexperienced project managers and high turn-over rates
Increase experience and skill level of PMs
Reduce PM turnover
• More productive PMs•Able to take on more complex projects• Better job satisfaction and morale • Reduced attrition rates•Increased project success rates
Determine How Success Will Be Measured
Identify meaningful quantifiable measures that can be easily tracked on an ongoing basis
Success criteria may change or expand over time as initial goals and objectives are met
Goals and
Objectives
Benefits Metric Success Criteria
Increase experience and skill level of PMs
• More productive PMs•Able to take on more complex projects• Better job satisfaction and morale • Reduced attrition rates•Increased project success rates
Number of PMs w/ PMP certification
25% of all PMs in first year
Reduce PM attrition
15% lower attrition rate w/in 18 months
Identify Required Changes
Review the organizational structure of the PMO and its place in the overall organization
How well will it support the SCoE’s goals and objectives?Does it have sufficient authority or influence?What changes might be needed?
Review the list of KSAs to determine which exist in the PMO today
How will staff acquire the KSAs required to make the SCoE successful?Will talent need to be brought in from outside?
Pitch Your Idea
You’ve done your homework – now you’re ready to pitch your idea!!!
Estimate funding requirements
Be prepared to answer questions
Anticipate resistance and prepareresponses in advance
Establish and Grow the Scheduling Center of
Excellence
Establishing the SCoE
Start small
Refine your success criteria
Establish standards
Build Tools for Success
Start Small
Review your goals and objectives
Identify those you’ll focus on firstStart small and focus on the strengths of the organizationThis is a starting point – not the ultimate goal
Review your metrics – update or add as needed
Establish a baseline for each metric
Refine Your Success Criteria
Current State (baseline):100 PMs Five PMs (or 5%) have their PMPThe turnover rate is 20% per yearThe date is January 1st 2010
Document specific success criteria including timeframeGoals and
Objectives
Metric Success Criteria
Current State
Goal State
Increase experience and skill level of PMs
Number of PMs w/ PMP certification
25% of all PMs in first year
5 PMs have their PMP
25 PMs have their PMP by 12/31/10
Reduce PM attrition
Annual PM attrition rate
15% lower attrition rate w/in 18 months
Turnover rate is 20%
Turnover rate is 17% by 6/30/11
Establish Standards
Establish scheduling standards such as:A basic WBS template Level 1: all deliverables listed in the project charter Level 2: key milestones associated with completing each
deliverable Level 3: tasks and activities required to reach each milestone
The level of detail each schedule is to contain (work package size range, how to handle administrative tasks and time, etc.)
Establish Standards
Establish scheduling standards such as:The level of detail each schedule is to contain (work package size range, how to handle administrative tasks and time, etc.)
Report templates
Common metrics to be tracked by all project managers A basic schedule change control process
Build Tools for Success
A Schedule Management Plan template that is aligned with the scheduling standards
A lessons-learned repository
A project history and project artifact repository with sample work products and process flows that have worked well in the past
A PMP training program (could be in-house or commercial)
Build Tools for Success
The key is to make it easier for project managers to ‘do the right thing’ which helps to:
Reduce the administrative overhead associated with starting a new project
Reduce the time required to develop and maintain the project schedule
Improve project success rates
Improve PM morale – we all like to succeed!
Grow the SCoE
Publicize and build on early successes
Expand the scope of control
Build on Early Successes
Establish a process for continuous improvement
Track progress against the baseline and make sure key stakeholders are aware of successes
When executives see the value they’ll be more likely to approve and fund growth plans
Define the next set of goals and objectivesThese may be stretch goals or a logical progression from the initial goals and objectivesWork with stakeholders and sponsors to identify services that will benefit them most
Expand the Scope of Control
Establish a Project Scheduler position (if it doesn’t already exist)
A lower-level position that starts at the CAPM level and goes up from there – would be support for a more senior scheduler
An entry-level position for individuals interested in getting into project management
Could provide a career path for those who don’t want to become PMs but have an interest in project management concepts and applications
Expand the Scope of Control
Have PMs and Schedulers report directly into the SCoEBe aware that his can be politically sensitive Be prepared to show the benefits to the organization as well as to managers who may be losing people to the SCoE
Provide PMs and Schedulers to other groups that are initiating projects
Provides better control over implementation of processes and consistent use of tools and techniquesOrganizations are more likely to accept this after they’ve seen early successes
Conclusion
A Scheduling Center of Excellence can improve project success rates through:
Standardization Consolidation of skills and experienceRetention of talented PMs and schedulers
Start small and build on successesDefine clear and measurable goals and objectivesDefine success criteria up frontEstablish a baseline to measure against
Conclusion
Grow the Scheduling Center of ExcellenceDevelop a plan for growth based on previous successes
Expand the Scope of Control Have project managers and schedulers report
directly to the Scheduling Center of Excellence Assign PMs and Schedulers to projects throughout
the organization
Contact Information
Michelle Colodzin, PMP, PMI-SP, MCTSMetaVista Consulting Group2411 15th St., Suite ASacramento, CA 95818
Thank YouFor Attending!