The Variables for Success

Predicting Project Success

Most common elements managers go by:
a) Time
b) Cost
c) Performance parameters

BUT the three main Actions are:
a) The project manager and team
b) The parent organization
c) Customers organization

Examples on what team managers can do to stimulate success on page
354.



What do the 3 main actions do
Top-level managers/management
a) Willing to commit
b) Provide support (administrative)
These characteristics help the project get familiarized from day to day with in the
company.
Parent Organization
a) Develops atmosphere within company ( ex: good working relationships)
Relationships between: project mangers, parent organizations, client
organization.
b) Maintain structural flexibility
c) Adapt to change
d) Effective strategic planning

Customer organization/ client organization
a) Willingness to coordinate efforts
b) Link maintenance
c) Establish procedure for change
d) Commitment of client resources















Failures in Project Mangement
Selecting a concept that is not appropriate.

Selecting wrong person as project manger

Upper management that is not supportive

poorly defined tasks

Misused management techniques

Project termination that is not planned


Project Management Effectiveness
Dealing with upper-level management
a) Credibility (ex: give credit to others, be believable, emphasize facts
rather then opinion)

b) Priority (ex: sell importance of project, secure testimonial support to
others)

c) Accessibility (ex: ability to communicate with top mangers, show your
proposals are good for total organization, be logical)

d) Visibility (ex: be aware of visibility you really need, make good impact
when presenting project, use team members, conduct meetings that
are informational)


Expectations
What top managers expect from project managers:


a) Accountability
b) Provide effective reports and info.
c) Keep a good balance in creating project( no arguing, miss
communication, disruption on some sort)
d) Have recommendations not only alternatives
e) Be able to solve interpersonal problems
f) Demonstrate growth (after a project is completed)

Expectations
Project managers from top-level
a) Provided clear decision channels

b) Take actions on request

c) Assist in conflict resolution

d) Provide adequate, sufficient info

e) Provide feedback

f) Give advice
Expectation
Project team expects from project mangers
a) Assistance in problem solving
b) Give clear and proper directions
c) Interaction
d) Reduce conflicts

Project manger expects from project team
a) Demonstrate membership self-development
b) Capable of innovation ,creative behavior
c) Communication
d) Committed to project
e) Change oriented


Expectations
What the team members need
a) Sense/feeling of belonging

b) Interest in the work they are doing

c) Respect for the work they do

d) Protection

e) Security /job continuity

f) Potential for career growth


Best practice
.. Are those actions or activities that are undertaken by the
company or individual that lead to a sustainable competitive
advantage in project management.

Misconceptions of project management :
a) Is a scheduling tool
b) Designed for government projects only
c) Must be engineers with top degrees
Best practice
Getting in out there
a) Sharing knowledge only internally
b) Hidden from all but a selected few
c) Advertise to your customers

Examples of Best Practice by a company
a) Help to avoid failure
b) In a crises help to avoid a vital situation
Levels of Best Practice
Individual
Project-specific
Company-specific
Industry Standards
Professional (PMI) Standards
Page 366: Results on implementing best practice
(table chart)
Having a Best Practice library
Transfers knowledge to employees( future employees)

Case studies can be made

Able to reevaluate situations

Learn from mistakes (not repeat)

Updating