IT Project Management Lite

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Organizations want reliable project reporting and clear, consistent project management standards, but many are unwilling or unable to allocate time for it.
Many IT project managers are given project management responsibilities in addition to other full-time roles – without any formal allocation of time, authority, or training.
Most IT project managers and stakeholders actually want clear and consistent standards but resist tools and procedures they believe are too time consuming and inflexible.
Standard project management procedures must be “light” enough for project managers to adapt to a wide range of projects without increasing the total time required to manage projects successfully.

Our Advice

Critical Insight

Most IT project management advice is focused on the largest 10-20% of projects – projects with large enough budgets to allocate time to project management. This leaves most IT projects (and most people who manage IT projects) in limbo between high-risk ad hoc management and high-cost project management best practices.
Project management success doesn’t equate to project success. While formal methodologies are a key ingredient in the success of large, complex projects, most IT projects do not require the same degree of rigorous record-keeping and planning.
Consistent, timely, and accurate reporting is the “linchpin” in any sustainable project and portfolio management practice.

Impact and Result

Maintain timely and accurate project portfolio reporting with right-sized tools and processes.
Establish clear and consistent project management standards that make better use of time already spent managing projects.
Enable project managers to manage their projects more successfully with a set of flexible and lightweight tools and templates.

IT Project Management Lite Research & Tools

1. Assess the value of a minimum-viable PMO strategy

Perform a measured value assessment for building and managing a minimum-viable PMO.

2. Perform a project and portfolio needs assessment

Focus on the minimum required to maintain accuracy of portfolio reporting and effectiveness in managing projects.

3. Establish standards for realistic, accurate, and consistent portfolio reporting

Emphasize reporting high-level project status as a way to identify and address issues to achieve the best results with the least effort.

4. Create a standard, right-sized project management toolkit

Free PMs to focus on actually managing the project while still delivering accurate portfolio metrics.

5. Train PMs for zero allocation

Ensure project manager compliance with the portfolio reporting process by incorporating activities that create value.

6. Perform a post-implementation assessment

Evaluate success and identify opportunities for further improvement.

A quick start tool and guide to managing IT projects.

About Info-Tech

Info-Tech Research Group is the world’s fastest-growing information technology research and advisory company, proudly serving over 30,000 IT professionals.

We produce unbiased and highly relevant research to help CIOs and IT leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. We partner closely with IT teams to provide everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations.

What Is a Blueprint?

A blueprint is designed to be a roadmap, containing a methodology and the tools and templates you need to solve your IT problems.

Each blueprint can be accompanied by a Guided Implementation that provides you access to our world-class analysts to help you get through the project.

Need Extra Help?
Speak With An Analyst

Get the help you need in this 3-phase advisory process. You'll receive 6 touchpoints with our researchers, all included in your membership.

Guided Implementation 1: Assess Needs

Call 1: Scoping call
Call 2: Discuss results of Minimum-Viable Needs Assessment and PM time allocations

Guided Implementation 2: Develop a Strategy

Call 1: Determine scope and next steps to devising your zero allocation strategy
Call 2: Develop SOP to establish standards for portfolio reporting

Guided Implementation 3: Execute Strategy

Call 1: Customize the Zero-Allocation Project Management Workbook to suit the needs of your PMs
Call 2: Evaluate performance since implementation and review results of Quarterly Assessment; identify areas for further optimization

Author

Brian Frank

Contributors

Gary Kern, CIO, Mutual Bank
Jim Tom, CIO, Public Health Ontario
Bob Horton, Senior Project Manager, Office of the CIO, Government of the Northwest Territories
Curtis Naphan, PMO Manager, Office of the CIO, Government of the Northwest Territories
Dave Forest, Director of IT, The Mackie Group
Stephane Viau, Director, Business Solutions and Innovation, Canadian Red Cross
Sarah Woods, HR Systems Project Manager & Learning Facilitator, Borough of Poole
Chris Burford, Project Manager, Project Solutions Group, 1199SEIU Benefit and Pension Funds