1. Introduction

Introduction

An accomplished project manager is one who is able to operate at the edge of her / his comfort zone.

This module covers:

1. The makings of an accomplished project manager

2. The hallmarks of a highly effective project management approach

3. A case story to illustrate how a project of national importance can turn into a dismal failure

4. The most critical imperative to project success

5. A project health assessment framework

The Eight Imperatives of Project Success

1.   The Accountable Executive. Based on several industry surveys, the person who can most influence the success of the project is the Accountable Executive (or the project sponsor). 

2. The Project Leadership Team. The Project Leadership Team should have the experience, authority, alignment,  execution ability, and relationship dynamics commensurate with the project size and complexity.

3. Objectives and Scope. Clear objectives and well defined and managed project scope are the second most frequently mentioned factor reported by many industry surveys as affecting the project success or failure. 

4. Executable Plan. In a 2012 survey PwC found that 30% of project failures occur because of inadequate project plans and poor estimates.

5.  Vendor Management. Depending on the nature of the project, the software vendor (if any) and the consulting firm are major contributors to the project’s success. Vendor selection, contracting, and on-going management can make the difference between success and failure.

6. Stakeholder Management. Project managers sometimes assume that stakeholders’ support is a given because it was mandated by executive management. But in order to reflect the needs and wants of the users that will ultimately result in business benefits, the stakeholders have to be tended to with great care.

7. The Project Team. Building and leading a project team that has a track record in successfully delivering large and complex projects takes considerable leadership skills. Research by Google identified the five factors which distinguish  high-performing teams from a mediocre ones.

8. Methodology and Process. Project methodology and processes have to be tailored to the size and complexity of the project. Although industry surveys have not mentioned methodology as a critical success factor, having the right tools will make the job a lot easier.

In this module you will learn about:

a.   The attributes, skills, and experience which a project manager should have to perform at a masterful level, particularly when it comes to leading large and complex projects.

b.   How to build and implement a successful project management approach, commensurate with the project’s size and complexity.

c.   The eight most critical imperatives affecting the success of your project, as listed above.

d.   How to implement a project health assessment framework which will help you identify situations requiring you the “Raise the Red Flag” and implement mitigation and remedy actions to address them.