Strong Project Management, Common Success Factors Drive U.S. Federal Government Savings
For release on:
15 March 2011
For Media Inquiries
Glenn R. Boyet
Project Management Institute
+1 610 356 4600, x1112
Glenn.Boyet@pmi.org
Richard VanOrnum
APCO Worldwide
+1 617-752-1177
rvanornum@apcoworldwide.com
NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. and WASHINGTON, 15 March, 2011 — Federal government agencies can reduce costs by 20 to 30 percent by implementing project and program management best practices, according to a study from the Project Management Institute (PMI®). In the study, PMI looked at successful U.S. Federal Government programs to uncover thematic success factors and identify practices that could be adopted across U.S. government agencies.
With global economic challenges of today, doing more with less is a necessary practice for individuals and organizations. Government agencies must work efficiently and effectively, staying on schedule and on budget. Project management skills are valuable assets in reaching these goals because, at its core, project management is about efficiency. The study, titled “Successful Program Management in the U.S. Federal Government” showed that investing in project management yielded measureable results. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers attributed cost reductions of 20 to 30 percent by using trained program managers and a more systematic approach to managing projects and programs.
The study surveyed 40 successful programs across government and identified four major success factors in successful programs: active high-level executive support, a culture of communication, stakeholder engagement and agility. PMI’s study showed that success depends on creating a culture of project management within programs that combines with a foundation of technical expertise to allow these factors to drive success.
“PMI has worked with governments and companies around the world in creating a culture of project management excellence that drives strategic objectives into tangible business results,” said Mark A. Langley, president and chief executive officer of PMI. “In this study, we looked at what practices can help government work in a more efficient and effective way, and how project management can help enhance implementation of these best practices.”
PMI standards and framework have been successfully used in a number of program-oriented and project driven agencies, such as a cleanup project by the Department of Energy at Rocky Flats nuclear reactor site, which finished ahead of schedule and six percent under budget. The Federal Aviation Administration’s commitment to project management was a critical element in moving this agency off the GAO’s High Risk list.
This research is just one of PMI’s many government relations initiatives geared towards streamlining practices, improving program management and reducing costs. PMI also works with congressional and executive staff to push through job classifications for project managers.
“This study is the latest research showing that the Project Management Institute can offer great value and experience to federal agencies to reduce costs in a time of federal budget reductions through 2011,” said Langley. “Our certifications and career framework for project and program managers will allow agency human capital plans and management to use common practices that have already demonstrated proven results for governments and organizations around the world.” More information about the PMI study is available online at http://www.pmi.org/en/Business-Solutions/PMI-US-Government-Relations.aspx.
About Project Management Institute (PMI)
PMI is the world’s largest project management member association, representing more than half a million practitioners in over 185 countries. As a global thought leader and knowledge resource, PMI advances the profession through its global standards and credentials, collaborative chapters and virtual communities and academic research. When organizations invest in project management, supported by PMI, executives have confidence their important initiatives deliver expected results, greater business value and competitive advantage. Learn more at www.pmi.org.
