Specifically how well is the project understood by the PMO and the resultant communication to the rest of the project team
One can easily replace the theory of management with the theory of project management. Its just that projects generally occur with a specific start and end, and a relatively limited area of business scope (this is not always the case unfortunately). The application of Project Management or Management theories are in our opinion the same. Management is a process by which definite set objectives are achieved through the efficient use of resources. Projects certainly (should) have a definite set of objectives (or scope in other words) and these are achieved by effectively and efficiently allocating resources (time, people, money and risk). Having the right attention on Project Management is critical to any stakeholder involved.
We are not a resource bank of fully qualified Project Managers – we can certainly help you access such resources. We are a coach, confidant, support and challenge to the Project Manager or Managers already in place. Again, our privileged position as external consultants allows us to see the challenges from angles that the internal Project Manager cannot easily reach, and even if she could – it would be an inappropriate use of her resources.
Supporting us in this role is our laser focus on the 10 knowledge areas of project management identified by the PMI
- Integration
- Scope
- Time or Schedule
- Cost
- Quality
- Resource
- Communications
- Risk
- Procurement
- Stakeholders
We have already discussed a very specific focus on Stakeholders and Scope (via Business Process Management) – and the balance are covered in our specific support capability for Project Management
A comment on the perennial question – Waterfall or Agile?
Our position is not to select one Project Management approach over another – there is need and the space for both approaches, and both still require Project Management – the roles, priorities and names may change. In Agile the role of the project manager shifts from one of purist Management to that of Coach, Facilitator, or Servant Leader. Consequently, Stakeholder Management takes on an even more significant role – with one important addition to the Stakeholder group composition – The Customer!