Centralized versus Distributed Project Management Framework PMI Northwest Regional Roundtable 15 March 2017 Brian Vickers, MS, MBA, PMP Shift focus from individual PM to organization

Goal and Key Points Goal: To explore the pros and cons of implementing a centralized versus a distributed project management framework Key Points Select a framework that makes sense for your business or organization Set clear business objectives for project managers and project management organization Support the business objectives through strategies, standards, training, and continuous improvement

Different frameworks Centralized Matrix (Hybrid) Distributed PM Organization Project Manager Centralized Matrix (Hybrid) PM Leader Project Manager PM Organization Construction IT Distributed Construction Project Manager IT What framework is currently used in your organization? Hybrid relationships could vary

Pros and Cons Category Centralized Distributed Oversight, governance, reporting PM Organization Department Standardization of processes and tools Higher Lower Agility Customer focus Professional development for PMs What other pros and cons are there?

Set Business Objectives Set clear business objectives for project managers and project management organization Define how fulfillment of those business objectives will be measured Focus on what is important Scope Schedule Budget Business driven versus methodology driven objectives What are examples of business objectives set in your organizations? Scope, Schedule, and Budget – can only fix two

Support Business Objectives Strategies – focus on advancing business objectives Standards – processes, data, and technologies Training – skill based and business specific Continuous improvement – methodology for learning organization