Project Management Plan Generator

In a work of increasingly complex interactions and business models the need for a standardized approach to managing projects has never been greater. The benefits of businesses building their own Project Management Office (PMO) will depend on whether the business culture, leadership team, and project goals are aligned.

Content in this Article

Although there are project management standards that can be applied to every project each of these must be individually applied to meet the needs of each unique project. This means that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to project management and that the team needs to understand both the unique needs of the project as well as how to wield each tool to be successful.

PMO architecture design takes into consideration existing architures, tools, priorities, and constraints of the environment.

ACCESS OPTIONS

Access to the Project Management Plan Generator is provided through the following products.

Access Option: Project Management Blueprint (2nd Edition) available in the Amazon store!

Includes access to the following resources:

• Online Interactive Tools
• Project Planning Powerpoint
• Project Management Forms (Open Source)
• Access to the Online Strategic Innovation Plan Generator

Deciding if you need a Project Management Office (PMO)

Egeland (2013) advises that at least two out of three criterion should be met before considering building a project management office. These same criterion can also be used as guidelines to determine if a project management approach is proper or if other business strategy alternatives should be explored.  Initiatives that have a need to share resources, need and have the capacity to support high-end communication, and have a level of complexity that would benefit central control are considered a good candidate for the project management approach.

Santosus (2013) provides a list of benefits in having a project management office (and using project management tools) that need to be aligned with the business need and capacity to support. When the business needs and capacity are aligned a strong business case for developing a project management office (and using project management tools) can be presented to the leadership team.

Presenting the business case to the leadership team requires consideration of the business needs, project areas to be supported, benefits expected, and the systems and supports needed to successfully manage projects and a project management office. Having a shared understanding the role of the project management team is just as important as being able to communicate the value of having a project management office.

The project manager as a process owner (but not people manager) becomes increasingly valuable in matrix based organizations where teams, areas of ability, and resources are often shared. The project manager owns the process and planning tools where the customer, sponsor, and project champions own the decisions and the authority. These roles must be ‘owned’ and ‘mastered’ in order for the project resources, plans, and responsibilities to be successfully executed.

The graphic illustrates five steps to pitching the business case, building the necessary relationships, and identifying the tools, processes, and structures to successfully build a project management office.

Executive buy-in becomes crucial for not only forming the PMO but also for establishing its authority for bringing cross functional & departmental group members together to pursue a shared vision.

OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN GENERATOR

THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT BLUEPRINT

The project management blueprint (book) and android app include the following contents. Access to the online interactive project management plan generator are available with each purchase.

Templates Available with Blueprint Purchase

ACCESS OPTIONS

The Project Management Playbook

Training Infographics Available with Blueprint Purchase