Project Map: Evaluating Project Management Practices

PDF DownloadWe originally planned this article to show how to set up a project management office. True to the rules of running a project, however, our plans changed once we began refining our scope. We quickly realized that the form a project management (PM) practice takes, though important, is secondary to the functions that need to be improved or developed.

Bristol-Myers Squibb, for example, has had a centralized PM office in the past. “It became too bureaucratic,” says Jack Pinter, the executive director of BMS’ Information Knowledge Management group. “We needed to bring it back down to the project level.” The company—from the executives on down—examined what its current difficulties were, what its peers were doing, and where it wanted to be, then designed an intensive training program and custom PM framework. Their reorganization emphasizes several important points: Don’t look back. Even though Bristol-Myers was widely seen, internally and externally, as having a successful PM practice, it knew it could do better. Do look around. An industry’s worth of experience produces better practices than any one company’s best. Look inside for support. Executives showed that they valued project management enough to devote their time.

This map is based on those principles of continuous evaluation and improvement. It begins with a companywide assessment, below, that provides a PM maturity “score.” That score translates to a level describing where your company stands, and what it should do next. The highest score takes you to Level 5, which, as you’ll see, repeats the message: There’s always room for improvement.

Download the PDF document (click the above icon) and begin evaluating your own project management practices.

Feeling stuck in self-doubt?

Stop trying to fix yourself and start embracing who you are. Join the free 7-day self-discovery challenge and learn how to transform negative emotions into personal growth.

Join Free Now

Picture of Regina Kwon

Regina Kwon

TRENDING AROUND THE WEB

4 zodiac signs who become more successful and rich with age

4 zodiac signs who become more successful and rich with age

The Blog Herald

9 situations in life where you should definitely seek a second opinion, according to psychology

9 situations in life where you should definitely seek a second opinion, according to psychology

Global English Editing

If you want to start every day feeling more productive and energized, say hello to these 8 morning habits

If you want to start every day feeling more productive and energized, say hello to these 8 morning habits

Personal Branding Blog

If you recognize these 5 signs, you have it in you to become rich and successful one day

If you recognize these 5 signs, you have it in you to become rich and successful one day

Small Business Bonfire

Was Jesus a shaman? Reclaiming the wild Christ

Was Jesus a shaman? Reclaiming the wild Christ

The Vessel

If you’re going through challenging times, these 6 habits will make you stronger

If you’re going through challenging times, these 6 habits will make you stronger

Jeanette Brown