Class in Session: Project Management

Have you ever found yourself in the position of having to explain or justify the value of project management? Have you heard questions like, “How can project management help us?, ” or, “Why should we follow project management processes?”

These questions came up recently when I was working with a client on the development and rollout of a new project management process and tools for their organization. As expected when you are introducing something new, we experienced some resistance to using the new process and tools. People were asking why they should do this. “What is the benefit?,” we heard.

Their perception was that the use of the new process would add more work to their already-high workload. To address these concerns, we decided to brainstorm with the group involved and discuss the benefit and value of project management. Here are some ideas generated from our brainstorming session regarding the value of using project management practices:

• Allows us to map out the entire project
• We will be able to better engage the different stakeholders at the right time throughout the process
• Helps you to keep to the time lines and identify major milestones
• Saves time by reducing crisis management
• Creates a common set of expectations
• Holds people accountable
• Ensure consistent execution across the department
• Allows us to identify risks earlier; identify synergies and share information.
• Opportunity to demonstrate linkages between your project business goals, and the overall business goals of the organization
• Know what end-goals for success are
• Creates an environment for continuous improvement; leverage best practices.
• Talking the same language and process; will be easier for us and stakeholders to better understand our projects.

The Project Management Institute (PMI) has also recently explored the value of project management. They sponsored a research study titled Researching the Value of Project Management, which was completed in October, 2008. This large research study, involving 65 case-study organizations from 14 countries, showed the clear benefit of project management practices.