Creating an Environment for Successful Projects

"An important shift in the marketplace is that customers who were formerly content with products now demand total solutions to problems."

"The organic organization is one in which everyone takes responsibility for the success of the whole."

"For changes in organizational culture to occur, behavioral changes in the people that make up the culture must be brought about."

"When project leaders understand organizational strategy, they have a guide for action."

"Once the upper-management team is established, they can develop a process to select projects that will achieve the organizational strategy."

"The main problems with multiple projects are caused by interdependencies?that is, the need to share resources. "

"Planning is a critical element that decreases costs and total project time while increasing product quality."

"A good project plan itemizes time for both expected and unexpected project changes, and even encourages changes, but only early in the project."

"The successful project is based on sharing legitimate information and developing trust, and developing trust begins with setting the project deadline."

"Establish a core team for each project composed of a person from each affected department."

"People in organizations that do not use core teams may be unaware of the many benefits accruing from their use."

"Core teams are difficult to implement unless all upper managers agree on the concept of core teams (relatively easy) and pledge to do what is necessary to make it work (much more difficult)."

"Probably the most difficult aspect of supporting core team development is changing the reward system to recognize the work of teams."

"Organizational structure induces certain behaviors on the part of individuals and inhibits others."

"Functional organizations are designed to produce products, not to solve problems."

"Upper managers need to know information on all projects regarding progress, problems, resource usage, costs, and project goals."

"Upper management needs to take the lead to put into place a system that selects and develops those people with the greatest potential to manage projects."

"A part of the environment for successful projects is developing a practice of learning the best project management practices."

"In learning organizations, leaders are not heroes but rather designers, teachers, and stewards."

"Bold moves are needed to develop project management in most organizations."