In the last blog post, we discussed why this is a big issue and an opportunity for improving the way organizations operate. In the interest of following good project practice, let’s restate the goal for Project Transparency:
Provide relevant and timely information to key decision makers and stakeholders so the decision makers have the opportunity to take corrective action and the stakeholders have the information necessary to hold them accountable if they do not.
Now we need to explore how this can be accomplished. Before jumping to the solution (as happens way too often these days), we need to explore the problems that stand in the way. Many organizations have project management personnel (project managers), methodologies, and tools in place. Often, the guidelines, standards, and training are controlled by a PMO (Project Management Office). Even in organizations without a formal PMO, there is typically a generally accepted way of managing projects and project information by functional or line managers.
So why is it so difficult to get true transparency to senior leaders and the stakeholders? One major issue we see in many (it could be argued most) clients we work with is the disconnect that occurs somewhere between mid to upper levels of management.
At the heart of the issue is the fact that generally accepted processes and metrics to support project success (i.e. on time, on budget, and to quality standards) are often not in alignment with generally accepted metrics and processes for ensuring business success (i.e. growth, profitability, customer satisfaction, shareholder value, etc). Project teams and the business are simply not talking the same language. The supporting systems (process, technology, and people/training) are somewhat disparate As a result, information does not map between project and business systems and management is left to interpret project information in business terms to executives and stakeholders.
In the next blog on this topic, we’ll look at how to bridge this disconnect and architect systems that can facilitate better communication and lead to Project Transparency.
Read part 3 - Bridging the gap here