Setting up a PMO – Phase 4 – Continuous Improvement

Congratulations! you have set-up your PMO successfully. You ran your pilot projects, set-up processes and dashboards. Figured out the risks/issues, metrics and set-up the systems to manage the processes, templates and project plans.  You then managed to expand the PMO services across the org through all projects and programs being ran. As you move forward and …

Setting up a PMO – Phase 3 – Rolling out the Plan

So you have the high level roadmap, a justified business case and a detailed plan to start executing the plan for setting up the PMO. So what are you waiting for? Lets start implementing the PMO Set-up. Quick Wins However, as discussed in the previous article, the things to take care during the roll out …

Different goals of a PMO

When an organization sets up a PMO for managing projects, it consciously or subconsciously has the expectation of the following goals or benefits from a PMO. Functional goals Structural goals Disciplinary goals Functional goals are mostly related to the functions the PMO is going to focus on. Is the PMO needed to set up just standards, …

Project Budgeting – Typical Costing Standards & Factors

In my previous blog, we discussed about some key steps that can help in project budgeting. In this session lets look at the typical costing standards that one needs to keep it in mind during budgeting process. TYPICAL COSTING STANDARDS Number 1 and most important which many overlook is to check with the accounting department …

Why does an organization need a PMO

Program Management Office (PMO) has been an important aspect of any organization delivering products, projects or providing services. PMO is usualy needed for a number of reasons. The benefits of PMO are but not limited to: Bring in consistency in delivering products, projects or services. Provide transparent reporting. Ensure effective investment in all the projects. …

Portfolio Implementation and Continuous Improvement

In this blog, let’s further discuss on how to integrate and continuously improve portfolio management methods and review key deliverables needed to support portfolio management practices. Portfolio Management Methods and Key Deliverables: 1) Assess the current state by talking with stakeholders This is the first step, and normally includes determining which portfolio management processes exist,which …

Key Artifacts for Portfolio mgmt

The key artifacts necessary for carrying out portfolio management are: Strategic Plan Charter Plan Roadmap Portfolio itself Strategic plan: A strategic plan outlines the vision and strategy of the organization and identifies the high-level initiatives and themes in the portfolio where investments will be made to accomplish the business objectives. Charter: The charter, not unlike a project-to-program …

Synchronizing Portfolio Management Methods and Implementing a Portfolio Management Information System

With the adoption of portfolio management, it is important that organizations synchronize their portfolio management methods with their organizational planning. For example, defining and authorizing the right components at the right time should be aligned with the organization’s goal.It is a good idea to integrate the portfolio management processes into the established processes of the …

Weighted Scoring Model in Portfolio Management

Project portfolio management presents a complex set of challenges: Primarily multiple projects need to be configured and managed in a way to enhance the long-term strategic value of the portfolio while considering multiple criteria and interdependencies. Value maximization has been stated as one of the key goals in project portfolio management. The starting point for …

Aligning a portfolio with Org Strategy

Lets look into the relevance of the portfolio alignment with the Organisational Strategy. For that, let us first understand what is organizational strategy, and then look at how portfolios align with that strategy. Organizational Strategy: Michael Porter says that strategy is about competitive position and about differentiating yourself in the eyes of the customer, and …

Defining, Aligning, Authorizing and Controlling a Portfolio

  In this session, we will look into the important concepts around the Project Portfolio Management process. The key flows around portfolio management are Defining, Aligning, Authorizing and Controlling a portfolio. Defining: This function is focused on planning and identifying the corporate organizational strategy needed to deliver that strategy over a period of time. This includes creating key …

The Case for Portfolio Management

As mentioned in my earlier post, “Project portfolio management — or simply portfolio management — is defined as the “centralized management of one or more portfolios that enable executive management to meet organizational goals and objectives through efficient decision making on portfolios, projects, programs and operations.” So who really needs portfolio management? A start up company or one who is responsible for investment and work to be accomplished within an …

Scrum or Kanban? It depends on the type of project

The Agile framework has 2 significant or Key methodologies in today’s software project environment. Both are equally efficient and produce results. However, if the right methodology is used after accessing the project you are handling, that is when you get the right results. Also, over a period of time, as the organization project management model changes, …