Linking strategy to execution through project teamwork and governance
- 1. Rob Allen www.robertwalterallen.com Linking Strategy to Execution Through Project Teamwork and Governance
- 2. • Project management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet the project requirements • A project manager (PM) skillset should meet some minimum standard or certification • However, resources are often “tagged” as a project manager (of a project) without a strong background in PM knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques • Also, cross-functional team members may not be provided to work with the PM on the project Project Management How do we enable project management & execution within a functional area?
- 3. • One way to enable teamwork is to identify a resource as a core team leader (CTL) as the team lead for the project - CTL is a direct report to the project sponsor, and in the product or process area targeted for improvement • Accordingly, an experienced PM partners with a CTL & cross-functional team • Also, PM continuously improves the discipline of managing projects and/or various other disciplines (Lean Product Development, DFSS, Lean, Lean Sigma, etc..) - A PM with a Lean Sigma background can be leveraged through this model Core Team Leadership ↔ Project Management Project Management Excellence and Teamwork Ensures Project Results
- 4. Project Management ↔ Core Team Leadership Recall the various disciplines for product or service development and process improvement … Product Development Engineering Operations Quality IT Supply Chain Finance Customer Value Requirements Management Lean Six Sigma Lean Product Development Design for Lean Design to Cost Supply Chain, IT Design for Six Sigma, DFx Product Management Corresponding functional groups might be as follows (varies for each company)… Product or Service Development Process Improvement Service Development Engineering Project Management (PM) Project Core Team Leaders (CTLs) (reside in functional areas)
- 5. Linking Strategy to Execution Through Core Teams VP Operations Director, Operations Execute & Improve Operational Processes Core Team Leader * Functional Manager Direct & manage operational processes & resources, process metrics & ownership. Ongoing monitoring and execution of operational performance, establish improvement strategies Director, Enterprise PMO Project Manager, BB Direct & manage the application of tools & methodologies. Ensure effective partnerships with CTLs. Own the process of project governance & management (and ownership of any other improvement discipline) STRATEGY EXECUTION Execute & Improve Project Management, Lean Six Sigma, or any discipline PM CTL Project Management ↔ Core Team Leadership * plus other cross-functional team members (Quality, Engineering, etc…) Core Team President, CEO (example within Operations) Example:
- 6. CTL ↔ PM Partnership Core Team Leaders generally report to functional leadership (project sponsors) Core Team Leader (CTL) Leads the core team in completing project deliverables and actions Coordinates with sponsors, functional managers and team members Presents project status to the steering committee Project Manager (PM) Applies and coaches project management methodologies Identifies project scope, actions & resource needs Creates and maintains the project plan & schedule Assists core team leader in managing the plan, facilitates core team meetings, workshops and kaizen events Core Team Member (CTM) Executes assigned tasks and activities relevant to their function Participates in core team meetings Maintains linkages to functional organizations Coordinates extended team member activities CTL PM Operations Engineering Finance Quality Supply ChainIT * core team members depend on the project
- 7. Project Management “Multi-Role” A good Project Manager / Lean Sigma Black Belt can partner with several core teams and provide additional collaborative problem solving and analytical tools …this is also a growth opportunity for CTLs to learn project management and/or lean sigma PM / BB CTL1 CTL2 CTL3 CTL4
- 8. Project Competencies also include Governance 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Simple Low Complexity Complicated Moderate Complexity High Complexity % Complexity Level vs. Competency Requirements Lead Govern Manage How do we enable project governance? Almost all projects require some level of leadership, governance and management
- 9. Project Sponsors, Functional Managers Core & Extended Team Members Staff project core teams CTMs complete project tasks & deliverables per project schedule Functional excellence & project resources Core Team Leader (CTL) & Team Members CTL PM Steering Committee Reviews • Review project portfolio & metrics • Review execution to project plans • Communicate team recommendations Steering Committee Project Governance through Steering Committee Project Status Updates (as project is executed) • Identify constraints • Identify recommendations to the steering committee CTL PM Steering committee gets direct visibility into project progress
- 10. Benefits of CTL / PM & Project Governance • The CTL is embedded in the process area ultimately benefiting from the project(s) • A CTL reporting to process area functional manager is more likely to succeed • Core team meetings attendance can be limited to core team members (who can delegate work to extended team members) • Helps establish a teamwork culture (including steering committee) • A growth opportunity for all core team members • The PM/BB can support multiple projects as a facilitator and enabler of tools & training and improvement of skillsets • The PM/BB can provide more (or less) help to CTLs as needed • The enterprise PMO can manage project governance, maintain project history files, lessons learned, re-use templates & artifacts thereby enabling lean project management
- 11. - A tailored approach can be provided for any given strategy, organizational structure or focus area - Structured approaches will improve project governance, critical thinking, teamwork and product and process quality - Using tools and methodologies in addition to project management will speed things up and enable a more efficient enterprise MORE INFORMATION: Follow-up with any questions you might have at rob@robertwalterallen.com Rob Allen www.robertwalterallen.com Summary