THE CHANGING FACE OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Presented by Joanna Dabrowska Getahead Consulting Ltd.

25/07/2014

The Reluctant Project Manager – My personal journey

ONCE UPON A TIME…

1. Business silos – IT Projects seldom crossed departmental boundaries

2. IT Projects target oriented (built to fixed specs)3. System Analysts seldom had any business

knowledge4. Sequential System Development (Waterfall)5. Project Management focused on Technical

Competence6. The Perception Gap

DELIVERING TO PLAN

AS A RESULT…

1. Customer real needs were often misunderstood2. Systems delivered to specs but development took

years 3. Technology & customer needs often changed before

the system was finished 4. Customer had to pay for system that was already

obsolete

1. Rapid advancement in Technology –mobile, tablets, Google glass, Near Field Communication

2. Rapidly changing client expectations and rapid product obsolescence

3. Internet & Social Media spell the death of a traditional salesman (pull vs push marketing)

4. Customer is NOW in charge.

HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED…

1. New business models are emerging2. Products & Services cross dept boundaries3. Adaptability replaces Predictability4. Businesses have to become Customer Centric as

opposed to Transactional5. Vision & Customer Value become more

important than the Plan (birth of Agile)

HOW DOES IT AFFECT THE BUSINESS…

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CAN NO LONGER BE IGNORED…

A small shift in Customer Experience can have dramatic effect on the bottom line

1. Understanding customer needs and perceptions is vital to project success

2. Agile development more effective than the Waterfall

3. Good customer relationship becomes vital4. Managing scope 5. Managing risk vs issue tracking6. Importance of R & D

CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF IT SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT

TODAY’S PROJECT MANAGER…

1. Asks WHY before HOW… Understands business and its strategic objectives

2. Adaptable, high tolerance for Ambiguity3. Good Communicator & Negotiator4. Pro-active - Manages Risks vs Tracks Issues5. Intuitive – like a good football player6. Understands different personalities and communication

styles 7. Builds Relationships & Collaborates rather than dictates

For more information visit http://www.getaheadconsulting.com