U.S. Federal Government Program Management Study John Ready, PMP PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Study Volunteer February 3, 2011

2 Study Goals Share findings that could be adopted across government Study “successful” U.S. Federal Government programs to uncover thematic “success factors” Delve into the specific practices that support these success factors

3 Methodology  Combination of web-based survey and in-depth interviews  Target audience of Program Managers and senior-level Program Sponsors  Results cover 40 different programs across the federal government

4 Department of DefenseDepartment of State Federal Highway Administration U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Department of Energy United States Postal Service Navy Systems Command U.S. Marine CorpsU.S. Air Force Department of Agriculture U.S. Coast Guard Federal Aviation Administration U.S. Census Bureau Federal Bureau of Investigation Department of the Interior Cross-Section of U.S. Federal Government

5 Wide Variety of Programs Various IT Programs: Software Development, Infrastructure Facility Construction in Combat Areas Backlog Root Cause Analysis and Process Improvement Policy Development for Land Resource Allocation All-Hazards Protection Program Tactics, Techniques, Procedures (TTP) Development Detection Equipment Develop, Train, Deliver Build Law Enforcement SME Workforce for OIF Transition Design and Build an Ice Breaker Ship Strategic Worldwide PoV Communications Program

6 Wide Variety of Programs Peak Program StaffingProgram BudgetProgram Duration

7 Highlighted Study Findings

8 Changing Program Environment  Program stakeholders are demanding:  More transparency  More engagement  More innovation  More speed  More cost controls… A Program Management Paradox? How do you deliver increasingly complex programs sooner, cheaper and better than ever before?

9 Changing Program Environment “During the first few years after 9/11, most reconstruction projects were started without any long-term approach. The result was crisis management more than deliberate planning. Continuation of using the same approach to this mega effort was not acceptable.” Respondent from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers “The business drivers have changed as stakeholders (senior management and tax payers) now want products/services from projects faster, better, and cheaper.” Respondent from the Department of State

10 Complex and Critical Programs Program Complexity Mission Critical Program

11 Making Progress  Study found that many departments are reporting improvements in program management discipline over the past five years:  Introducing more formalized/standardized program management practices  More use of formalized risk management  More use of earned value management

12 Top Success Factors

13 Highlighted Best Practices The outcomes required to achieve the vision were clear for this program 81 The program had a clear connection to the broader strategy for your organization 81 Stakeholders of the program were identified and engaged throughout the program 81 The program had a documented vision of the desired end state 75 Peer reviews/checkpoints were implemented throughout program 74 % rating top four box (7, 8, 9 or 10)

14 Conclusions Best Practices Tangibles Success Factors Intangibles

15 Outcomes  Investing in project management yields measurable results  One defense-related agency noted cost reduction of % on average had resulted from using trained program managers and a more systematic approach to managing programs.  One agency explained how the recent training of 24 project managers has already resulted in better stakeholder management and forecasting.  Another agency explained how program performance evaluations have trended higher since the introduction of (formalized) program management.  Another noted that recent marked improvement in the rigor around scope and requirements definition has significantly improved program success rates.

16 Q and A  U.S. Government Relations section of PMI Solutions webpage:  Government Programs Study: Government%20Program%20Management%20Study%20Report_FINAL.ashx