1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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?

5. 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

6. 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