Leveraging Project Management Techniques in Sports Officiating

A PM Who is Also a Basketball Referee

Dean J. LaymanJune 24, 2013

Background

My Avocation – High School Basketball Officiating

International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO)

IT Program Manager at SAIC Leverage PM Techniques in both Stress Trends

The “Projects”

The Season The “Big Project”

and

The Game The Tasks

The PMBOK Process Groups

Initiation Planning Execution Monitoring and Controlling Closing All five (5) are applicable to these officiating

projects Time, cost, and scope management not really

applicable Interscholastic sports are an extension of the

educational process

Project Initiation

Season Acquire and/or renew rules knowledge Acquire and understand school

contracts Goals: Organizational and individual

Game Game Assignment Coordination with Partner(s) Continual Rules Study

Basketball Rules Knowledge

A-1 is fouled by B-1. Team A is in the bonus, but the official erroneously awards a throw-in to Team A instead. B-1 steals the inbound pass and drives to the basket only to miss the lay-up. A-2 rebounds the ball and is dribbling up the court when the coach for Team A requests a time-out for a correctable error. The official recognizes the error and then awards A-1 the bonus free throws with no one lined up. Then, the official awards the ball to Team A for a throw-in. Is the official correct? Yes or No

Project Planning

Season Physical training Determine availability for game

scheduling Assignor: Resource assignments

Game Logistics – Travel, Uniform, Meals Pre-Game Officials Conference Mental Preparation

Project Execution

Season Fulfill all game assignments Continual physical training

Game Enforce the Rules Split-Second Decision Making Pre-Game Conferences Communicate, Communicate,

Communicate

Project Monitoring and Controlling

Season Coordination and Communication with

Board officers and assignor Complete Game Reports Quality Assurance (Evaluations)

Game Halftime Officials Conference Coordination with Scorekeepers and

Timekeepers

Project Closing

Season End-of-season meetings with schools Invoicing Financial reporting

Game Game Review by Officials Complete Game Reports Lessons Learned

The Critical Success Factor

Communications with the Stakeholders Administrators Coaches Officials Scorekeepers/Timekeepers Players Fans

Communications Plan

Effective communication enables successful game management

Whistles, signals, voice, non-verbals Selective listening The “Out-Nicing, But Firm” Philosophy Conflict Management E-Mail, Assignments by Web, Telephone

More Basketball Rules Knowledge

A-6 (who is wearing #10) enters the game. The official notices that the number on the front is red and the number on the back is blue. The official rules that the shirt is illegal because the numbers must be of the same color. Is the official correct?

B-1 intentionally extends his/her leg to deflect a pass by A-1. The ball hits B-1 in the inner thigh. The official rules this is a kicking violation and awards the ball back to Team A. Is the official correct?

Other PM Aspects of Importance

Interpersonal Skills Ethics Safety Recognition Procurement Leadership Resource Assignment Mentoring

My Contact Information

Dean J. Layman Office: 301-623-2663 Cell: 410-299-8320 E-Mail: Dean.J.Layman@saic.com

More Basketball Rules Knowledge

A-1 goes up and dunks the ball, and then before he lands on the floor A-1 charges into B-1. Team B is in the bonus. The official calls the foul on A-1 and scores the two points for Team A. Play is resumed with a bonus free throw situation for Team B. Is the official correct?