Take steps to prevent IT myopia [video]

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Project management as an enabler

You make the case that project management inhibits IT strategic business value.

However, each tips you present to stop viewing IT in project-related terms are clearly articulated in the Project Management Institute's (PMI) project process rigor for anyone's Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Your steps to avoid IT myopia are tracked below, next to each step I relate each to a PMI process or tactical plan strongly suggested for each and every project, IT-related or not:

1. Costs - work breakdown structure, quality management plan, risk management plan, staffing management plan, procurement management plan

2. Focus on the customer - stakeholder management plan, management by objective, needs analysis, scope management plan, risk management plan, cost management plan

3. Engage the business - project charter, cost management plan, schedule management plan, scope management plan, stakeholder and communication management, human resource/staffing plan

4. Measure IT - Monitor and control process, risk management plan, quality management plan

5. Manage IT like a portfolio - manage IT like a project portfolio is also a PMI proposed take in that every project should enable business strategy and organizations can leverage a project management office as part of a portfolio management view.

Every IT office should justify their business impact. They are an elemental business enabler. IT departments or executives that do not manage in a portfolio view are not business professionals and position IT as a cost center.

The problem with IT projects is not the project management discipline, the problem is ineffective management and ineffective executive staff follow-through.

No one can sign up for a gym membership and expect to get in shape if you don't go and don't workout.

PMI's project management discipline is as powerful as a CPA qualification is for an accountant or passing the bar exam is for a lawyer - all 3 provide a measure of professionalism, but none guarantee that individual's success.

Thank you for sharing a commonly applied excuse for poor IT project performance.

Toby Elwin
twitter.com/telwin

You can view other business thoughts from my blog: http://bit.ly/yMbAW

Posted by: telwin   Posted on: 07/02/09 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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