Patronus Project Management Methodology

This article sets out the key elements of the Patronus Consulting Ltd methodology for managing portfolios, programmes and projects and illustrates our approach for ensuring that best-value benefits are safely delivered on-time, within budget and in accordance with quality standards.

Our Project Managers work to a structured methodology developed using the principles set out in the Association for Project Management Body of Knowledge[1]. Our methodology comprises four sections describing concepts and activities associated with the context in which programmes and projects are implemented, the capabilities of the people implementing them, delivery processes followed, and how we manage interfaces with other disciplines connected to the work.

[1] APM Body of Knowledge 6^th Edition 2012

Context

Our Managers take care to understand the organisational structure and environment within which work is to be done. We ensure that appropriate governance processes are understood and correctly implemented to ensure efficient programme delivery that is supported by sponsors and stakeholders. If required, our consultants can work with senior management from sponsor organisations to refine and improve their governance processes. We look beyond the project boundaries to understand broad organisational factors that have significant impact on the work such as strategic management, operations management and the environment within which projects are delivered.

We work closely with our clients to promote systematic management of information and learning according to PAS1192-2:2013. This ensures that individually-held information and experience is transformed into collective knowledge that can be widely shared through the organisation to improve performance across the asset lifecycle.

Particular emphasis is placed upon the following success factors:

• a positive health and safety culture
• clear goals and objectives
• delivering best value
• effective governance
• sponsor and senior management commitment
• timely and clear communication.

People

Successful programmes and projects are founded upon motivated and coordinated people with well communicated objectives. Patronus’ Project Managers and Programme Managers are skilled communicators with experience in a wide range of project related situations including one-to-one performance reviews, large workforce briefings, project team meetings, stakeholder oversight and reporting, and project governance meetings. We have experience in addressing external stakeholders at public meetings and where media interest is present.

Patronus’ methodology ensures a high level of client satisfaction, value for money, quality and efficiency by engaging the expertise of our highly qualified and experienced managers. We have in-depth knowledge and experience of delegation, influencing, negotiation, conflict management, teamwork and above all leadership. These competences have been developed over many years managing portfolios, programmes, projects and leading teams in the asset investment environment.

Delivery

Effective management of familiar components of programmes and projects such as scope, schedule, finance, risk, quality and resources, is fundamental to successful delivery. Processes adopted by Patronus manage these components in an integrated way, as follows:

A business case is prepared that provides justification for undertaking a programme or project. This evaluates the benefits, cost and risks associated with alternative options and provides a rationale for the preferred solution.

Control is provided by tracking performance against agreed plans, communicating this to sponsors and taking any corrective action required to meet defined objectives.

We adopt BIM level 2 structured Information Management processes as described within PAS 1192-2:2013. This enables teams and stakeholders to use their time, resources and expertise effectively to make decisions.

Programme or project organisation varies according to context and the specific needs of each situation. In broad terms the organisation will have four main levels as shown in figure 1.

figure 1 – Generic Organisational Structure

Planning determines what is to be implemented, how much it will cost, when it will be completed, how it will be delivered and who will carry out the work. Patronus’ Project Managers plan at two levels: policy and delivery. Policy level planning establishes a series of documents that set out the principles that apply to each aspect of the programme or project. The delivery plan sets out details regarding implementation. It answers the questions: Why? What? How? Who? When? How-Much? and Where? in relation to delivery of the work.

Our Project Managers use a structured process of stakeholder management to ensure the systematic identification, analysis, planning and implementation of actions to engage with stakeholders.

Interfaces

Our Project Managers pro-actively manage interfaces with other disciplines that impact upon the work such as: accounting, health and safety, human resources, law, security and sustainability. This ensures that programmes and projects are delivered effectively in the context of the client organisation. Our managers have many years of experience working with large complex organisations from which they have developed a good understanding of the processes and objectives of disciplines with which we interface.

Patronus is committed to continual improvement of service. Our managers seek customer feedback throughout the project cycle to ensure that customer’s needs, and changes to the customer’s needs, are understood in detail and that we adapt our approach accordingly.

This short summary is intended to demonstrate the structure and integrated approach Patronus adopts when managing portfolios, programmes and projects. A deeper dive into our methodology reveals details of benefits management, change control, configuration management, change management, requirements management, solutions development, schedule management, budgeting and cost control, funding, investment appraisal, risk management, quality assurance, project reviews and resource management. All our project managers are skilled in these processes and techniques; which will be applied as appropriate to the context of the commissioned work.

The Author

Simon R. Johnson BSc CEng MAPM MICE MCIWEM C.WEM spent many years as Programme Manager and Project Manager within the Utilities and Environmental Management sectors. He has been responsible for a wide range of asset investment portfolios such as: £0.8bn of strategic business plans for a utility company, Programme Management of business-critical water network improvements, and Project Management of construction activities involving a workforce of 120 professionals and tradesmen.

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