This presentation
has 6 sections
1. Background
2. Intro to Project Management
3. 5 Steps to Successful Project Management
4. Assessing Project Management Capacity
5. PMP Certification
6. Recommendations
Background Information
• EMA – IT based consulting firm based in St. Paul, MN.
• Focus on GIS and Enterprise Implementations
• Over 10 Years Geospatial Technology Experience
• PMP Certification (In Progress)• 9 Years at Regional Planning Board
Why Project Management Is So Important• 80% of Technology Based Projects Fail
to Meet Goals– Loss of Time– Loss of Money– Inability to Answer Needs of the Customer
• Why They Fail–Poor Communication– Improper Management
The Role of the Project Manager
• Scope Design and Budget Drafting• Task Management and Oversight• Client Interaction• Management of Staff• Management of
Sub-Contractors/Consultants• Final Deployment
5 Steps of Project Management
Project Initiation
Project Planning
Project Execution
Project Control
Project Closeout
Project Initiation
• Concept Development• Design of the Project Scope• Issuing any RFPs• Selecting any Consultants• Contracting with Consultants
Project Planning
• Complete Project Plan (MPP) Including:–Tasks –Budgeted hours for each task–Staff assignments by task–Project timeline– Identification of milestones
Project Execution
• Budget Management• Completion of Tasks• Staff Management• Timeline Management• Consultant Management
Project Control
• Change Control• Risk Monitoring• Scope Verification• Contract Monitoring• Performance Reporting
Project Closeout
• Final Reporting• Knowledge Transfer• Archive Project Materials• Project Documentation
Roles• Staff – answer to PM, complete project tasks,
work with consultants, it is common for the PM to also be a staff person.
• Consultant – answer to PM, complete project tasks, can answer to staff instead.
• PM – responsible for all aspects of a project, answers to PIC, all others working on project report to the PM.
• PIC – high level oversight of project, ensures project fits organizational goals and mission, PIC should not have any other role in the project.
Choosing a PM: OptionsExecutive Director/Other Mgmt Position
• Benefits– Understand needs of the customer– Typically good communicator (non-technical)– Good contract manager– Understand needs of the customer– Typically good communicator (non-technical)– Good contract manager
• Downfalls– Portfolio manager – make a better PIC– Time constraints– Don’t understand technical components– Too much micro-management– Assessing qualifications of sub-contractors– Developing scope and budget– Task completion
Technical Person/GIS Staff• Benefits
– Excellent understanding of technical components– Can speak the Lingo, especially important for sub-contractors– Understand the ability and limitations of technology– Assess qualifications of sub-contractors– Scope and Budget design– Task completion
• Downfalls– Assume simplicity of operation– Fail to recognize needs of customer– Communication – speak on a higher level– Weaker management experience– Ability to deal with other staff
Consultant• Benefits
• Best of both worlds• Proven ability• Easier to hold accountable• Extends expertise of the organization (temporary)
• Downfalls• Cost - $$$$$$$• More time – contract management• Usually doesn’t add to the expertise of the
organization long term
PMP Certification• Provided by the Project Management Institute (
http://www.pmi.org)• Requirements– Adherence to the PMBOK manual– 35 hours specific project management education– 3 years direct project management experience– Must include 4,500 hours of leading and directing project
tasks– Pass written examination– Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution– Must all occur within 8 years previous application
Recommendations
• Build staff capacity and keep it• Consider requiring PMP certification for
consultants• Adopt standards of practice• Utilize software tools, especially for large,
long-term projects (Microsoft Project)
Questions? www.ema-inc.com
© 2008 EMA, Inc.
For more information,contact [email protected] www.ema-inc.com