Project Management Initiative at CGFNS International

The need to institute Project Management at CGFNS International became a top priority in 2011

In February of this year Marta Lafferty assumed the role of Project Manager and started the process of applying the methodology throughout the organization

All projects are now vetted through Project Management processes by applying knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to activities to meet project requirements

Project Management, Then….. Previously, projects were initiated in a less formal process and with less transparency

By necessity driven by IT rather than program area

Outcomes were often successful, but lacked the tools to ensure measurement of that success and resulted in duplication of effort. Lessons learned were not assessed or applied to subsequent projects

Project Management– Now!

Project Management, by its very nature collapses silos, builds leadership and team building, resulting in greater motivation for team members and enhanced accountability

Once the project management office (PMO) is presented with a new project or an enhancement to an existing one a Project Request and Scope Initiation Worksheet is completed

Process Flow After the project is approved by the executive sponsor the

project plan is developed

Risk Management

Risk is one of the most significant and positive aspects of project management and must be continually assessed through all phases of a project Understanding risk:

• I don’t know what I don’t know• I know what I don’t know

• I know what I know

Project Management and NNAS

One of the biggest and most challenging projects is right on the horizon, NNAS

Implementing Project Management well in advance has prepared us for this large initiative

Enterprise-wide Project Management Education

Patrick Mason of the Atkinson Group visited CGFNS for 2 ½ days in September and presented a Project Management Learning Program to staff

The presentation was designed around some of the specific deliverables of the NNAS project but also enlightened staff to the benefits and support robust project planning can lend to any project

Project Management Learning Program(continued)

On day one Patrick reviewed milestones, linkages and the critical path of the NNAS project

The second day was devoted to identifying sources of scope change or “creep” and managing scope by utilizing governance mechanisms

On day three we learned about Risk management techniques and how to apply a risk framework to the NNAS project

In conclusion…..

A definition of Project Management is: the application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to project activities to meet project requirements…..

…. and managing a project includes: identifying those requirements, balancing competing demands and adapting to expectations of different stakeholders

A strong, collaborative team has been built at CGFNS which is the foundation to meet all existing and future challenges

Any Questions?

Thank you,

Marta Lafferty

Project Manager