PROJECT Management explored

Last month I reviewed the OGC's published Lessons Learned around SROs, the piece was very popular so I thought I would take a look at some of their other Lessons Learned. This time their findings on Project Assurance....

Project Assurance is essential to successful consistent delivery of projects.  It is an integral part of the published and widely 'followed' PRINCE2 and MSP methodologies.  It is a central part of the set of balances and controls which make up the methodology and can be seen as a balance to management by exception a key part of the methodology favoured by Project Managers.

The review takes a broad look at assurance in particular how findings from Gateway reviews and Starting Gate reports assist with assurance.  Six lessons are proposed:

1. All projects should have their own assurance plan.
2. Use the right assurance tool at the right time, provided by appropriately skilled and experienced assurors.
3. The right assurance at the right time always adds value: start the assurance early, and consider using a Starting Gate.
4. Organisations should develop and declare a policy setting out when and to whom assurance reports should be circulated.
5. Reap the benefits of assurance by sharing the learning from others.
6. Act on the recommendations and use circulation and escalation procedures where appropriate.

There is loads of food for thought here and it makes me think back to a project we did last year with a PRINCE2 ACO who provided an external assurance service on several projects which were managed in PROJECT in a box.  They were very impressed with the way they could quickly find how the project was progressing, whether documentation was being produced and whether actions were appropriate for the circumstances and to be able to then both challenge and support the project team in their delivery.  This resulted in a positive experience for all involved.

The review recommends that the project board think about having a project assurance plan which is costed and focuses on four themes: Tools, Time, People and Place.  We couldn't agree more, as assurance is so often overlooked or given lip service and left to the Project Board who lack the time, skills or tools to do it effectively.  An assurance plan which is delivered against would be a great aid to many projects.

The full range of PROJECT in a box tools can be used to provide a structured environment to manage and assure projects and programmes to PRINCE2, MSP and a range of other standard or custom in-house methodologies, from free personal tools to the largest of enterprises.