HOW PROJECT MANAGEMENT IS APPLIED in governmental agencies is the focus of this issue. Our intention is to raise the awareness that government is an up-and-coming user of project management techniques. Our goal is to provide lessons learned information on implementation efforts by governments.
While governments are not “profit” driven, they are increasingly realizing that they need to be “efficiency” driven. Taxpayers, as the ultimate customer, have been calling for governmental reform to provide quality services at the lowest possible cost.
The very organizational structure that provided efficiency in the 1950s and 1960s is today the root of schedule, cost and quality problems. Correcting this requires a cultural change from vertical to horizontal thinking. This issue will focus on the stories of two state agencies and a federal agency's approach to creating this change through the processes of project management.
I want to thank the authors for their time and effort to share their valuable knowledge and experience. Their contributions have significantly added to the knowledge base of project management. For more information on how governments are increasingly recognizing the importance of project management for maintaining accountability, minimizing cost and producing timely results, contact David Blackburn, Chair of PMI's Government Specific Interest Group at 317/637-0085.
David Blackburn is a project management consultant with Project Management Advisors, Inc. of central Indiana. He has 10 years experience in project management with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Dave is also immediate past president of the Madison/South Central Wisconsin PMI Chapter, the Deputy Project Manager of PMI '97, and the Chair of PMI's Government SIG.