Q1. Discuss the steps that Comau took to strengthen its project portfolio management process and its project management skills within Comau. Comau's fundamental philosophy regarding the project management process was that the company needed more rigorous standardization and quality benchmarking. Instead of just having a series of disparate divisions and projects, the company created a universal method and universal standards to which all projects had to adhere. This fostered greater unity of goals and mission, enabled the company to perform more effectively, and also to cut operational costs. Comau began by streamlining: it combined both its contract management and project management under one umbrella. It strove to create a common language between customers and employees, thus reducing misunderstandings. A newly-unified company, all operating under the same processes and mission combined with more effective risk mitigation strategies enabled better selection of projects, and also minimized the 'scope creep' of projects. Project standardization was used to redefine goals, guidelines, training, and reporting systems. A book of 'best practices' was compiled of articles and policies for reference. Given that Comau was a global organization the book provided a common point of reference for all organizational actors. The creation of an online virtual community created a more seamless dissemination of information about projects and practices between entities (Kerzner
In order for an organization to remain successful, it must be able to fulfill its day-to-day operations without mistakes. If these demands cannot be met, a new project must be created in order to stay in business and ahead of the competition. If an organization has a problem, they can benefit from fixing it by following a formal process for identifying, selecting, initiating, and planning projects (Valacich, 2009).
Procedural Modifications and Recommendations: The CER system was developed to outline specific requirements of a project and create rigorous documentation of the projects. As well, the process was put into place to enable a more structured review of these proposals between employees and management. The implemented a two week review timeframe to receive and review the documentation. These processes while good had several flaws:
Develop a decision framework for project portfolio management at XYZ highlighting objectives, constraints, risks involved, alternatives, and information required for analysis.
* Management of the portfolio by means of a set of selection criteria for proposed projects, as well as reallocating, reprioritizing, and/or rescheduling current projects at various phases of the pipeline, (thus the portfolio and project management processes become interconnected, and the portfolio is constantly reevaluated).
Based on the improvement strategies and work on the CCC that you have completed up to this point, put together a numbered list of at least six presentation topics you might have an interest in researching and developing for the Week 6 assignment. Rank the topics with your strongest choice at the top of the list and the others in descending order.
3. What skills have I acquired from the development of the GC&E Portfolio that will benefit me in the workforce, in an interview, in a career?
The paper is divided into three sections, the first of which will establish a timeline of events. This project background will serve as a case study for the analysis in the following section that will be structured such that each of the previously mentioned facets will be independently analyzed and contrasted with project management principles. Finally the paper will conclude with a summary of the analysis and recommendations based on
First, develop project selection criteria and a high level process for applying the criteria and managing the portfolio. The criteria should be consistent with the business environment for the industry, consistent with your company's overall mission/strategies, and consistent with the mission and strategies of your strategic business unit. You are proposing a process, not individual projects.
Q2. How would you assess the management of the CIMS project so far? What has been done
Project Management Institute. (2000). _A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (4th ed.)._
Portfolio management supports an organization’s mission and goals by ensuring the program is managed properly and the timing is on a set schedule. Portfolio management supports the accomplishments and the preferred outcomes. The tools and techniques involved assist with the efficiency and the effectiveness. The portfolio management supports in the organization utilizes the resources where they can be applied throughout the organization. Portfolio management assists with creating the operational needs throughout the period of the project. The portfolio management achieves with the vision, mission, and goals and even identify the risk. The time cost and all resources that would be required help identifying within the goals.
The PDQ project will take a detail process that will help launch the appropriate software technology along with existing processes in order to implement new cutting edge innovations. Although technology is not the only leverage for improving project management, modern technology is an important element (Kendall & Austin, 2013). Today, businesses depend on technology to produce more in less time and with minimal resources making modern technology a critical component to a successful business. In today’s high tech world, it is important to develop and execute effective project management strategies that will place the company at a competitive level. Companies must continue to work on projects that will drive their business to innovate and change for the better (Shenhar & Dvir, 2997).
As according to the AtekPC Project Management Office case, the purpose1 of a PMO is to fulfill the need for greater discipline in managing IT projects. Moreover, it establishes or enhances project management skills, process, and governance structures within an organization (Applegate Pg. 462). The director of Application Development, Richard Steinberg, described AtekPC’s PMO’s purpose as a “methodology” for managing projects with standardized practices. As stated within the case, the main purpose of the PMO is to provide standardization in managing projects of large, complex scales as well as gain improvements in planning and performance of initiatives (Applegate Pg. 465). The case generalizes
Volkswagen of America’s new process for managing priorities is much more methodical than how things were done previously. Companies can successfully manage priorities by adhering to the following guidelines: defining the company’s value, developing “logical, fact-based prioritization processes”, creating frameworks that “resolve resource allocation conflicts… [and] encourage employee collaboration” (Townsend). The new process seemed to follow these guidelines very closely. VWoA identified and ranked business goals and designed a blueprint for the company. The new process called for business units to communicate their projects, which would be laid out against VWoA’s blueprint. At this stage, business units could not only see how their projects affected company goals but also how they related to other business unit projects. Business units drew up their own project proposals and ranked them in the order they desired. Projects were then placed in portfolios of enterprise goals and executed in order of portfolio rank.