Robert K. Wysocki. Project Management Process Improvement

Introduction to the Process Improvement Life Cycle
The Importance of Process
Stand Still and Go Backwards
Standish Group Chaos Report
Balancing People, Project Management Processes, and Technology
Process Improvement Versus Practice Improvement
Typical Project Improvement Practices
Project Reviews
Best Practices
Lessons Learned
Definition of the Process Improvement Life Cycle
Who Is Responsible for Process Improvement?
Effectively Dealing with the Obstacles
Points to Remember
Overview of the Project Management Maturity
The Software Engineering Institute Capability
The Project Management Maturity Model
PMBOK Knowledge Areas and Maturity Profile
Assessing and Reporting Maturity Level
Overview of the Survey Questionnaire
Reporting the Process Maturity Baseline
Reporting the Project/Process Maturity Gap
Maturity Profile by Knowledge Area
Metrics to Identify Project Improvement Opportunities
Project Level
Prioritizing Improvement Opportunities
Ranking Improvement Opportunities
Points to Remember
Tools to Investigate Improvement Opportunities
Problem Solving for Continuous Improvement
Brainstorming
Fishbone Diagrams
Force Field Analysis
Pareto Diagrams
Process Charts
Root Cause Analysis
Prioritizing Processes
Recap
Points to Remember
ReferenceCommissioning Improvement Initiatives
Characteristics of an Improvement Program
Long Duration
Multiproject Approach
Just-in-Time Planning
High Change
High Kill Rate
Characteristics of an Improvement Initiative
Short Duration
Multiphase Approach
Just-in-Time Planning
High Change
High Kill Rate
Setting Maturity Goals
Scope the Initiative
Evaluating Improvement Opportunities
High-Level Planning of the Initiative
Work Breakdown Structure
Project Management Process Improvement
Prioritize and Schedule Approaches
Monitoring the Initiative
Redirecting the Initiative
Closing the Initiative
Case Study: B. Stoveburden Trucking Company
Case Study Background
Projects Fail
PD and PP Maturity Levels for Selected Knowledge
Areas
Process Level
Results of the Improvement Programs
Points to Remember
Closing Thoughts
Implementation Challenges
Suggested Implementation Strategies
Points to Remember
Appendix: Maturity Assessment Questionnaire
Project Integration Management
Project Scope Management Processes
Project Time Management Processes
Project Cost Management
Project Quality Management
Project Human Resources Management
Project Communications Management
Project Risk Management Processes
Project Procurement Management Processes
About the Author