According to PMBOK Guide-Fifth Edition, organizational project management is a strategic framework of implementing organization’s portfolio, program and project management integrated with organization’s business management framework to deliver results within the organization’s business strategy goals.
Organizational project management methodology (OPM) is a system that connects critical parts of the organization covering all projects in order to meet requirements and deliver benefits making useful connections within any organizations business model in case there are different types of projects that require different methodologies.
To develop a tailored project management, organizations it is essential to develop a unique methodology for each project type that runs in the organization.
Then, once the unique aspects of each project type are recognized and re-examined through the common terms of each methodology, the organizational process assets are integrated to the organizational functions, a new or revised tailored organizational project management methodology is set.
An example of developing a tailored methodology that applies to projects only, can be found in chapter five of Implementing Organizational Project management: A Practice Guide and here is a description of the most important steps.
The organizations must identify:
- types of projects within by apply simple questions such as what are the common lines of business that deliver similar projects, what are the common levels of risks, variance in size or urgency or public and media attention etc.
- Inputs to the process such as results, enterprise environmental factors, organizational process assets, templates, structure and the context of the organization.
- Constraints such as regulations, laws and any other item that is without exception applicable.
- Resources which might be the existing project management methodologies that can be modified and any relevant published guidance or other standards of PMI such as PMBOK Guide for foundational guidance.
Once the above inputs are identified an action plan for the process of developing the Organizational project management methodology could be the following:
- Assemble a team representing any of the key stakeholder functions of the organization that execute project management processes.
- Map out and flowchart steps needed for each project life cycle.
- Identify business areas at each step of the life cycle as well as business process that are required for each step.
- Document each project management process according to the organization’s existing processes.
- Create templates and checklist according to the industry and organization’s standards
Continuous improvement and monitoring of KPIs should be constantly applied, monitored and assessed.
Repeat all the above for each type of projects using the first as a basis.
Figure 5.1 of the 2014 Project Management Institute. Implementing Organizational Project management: A Practice Guide
The final step is to document your tailored project management methodology that applies to your organization according to the size, risk, complexity and any other aspect of the organization and is adjustable to future needs.
More information on implementing OPM methodology can be found in the PMI’s Practice Guide on Implementing Organizational Project management.
Reference: ©2014 Project Management Institute. Implementing Organizational Project management: A Practice Guide
