Management and technical career paths have always been a part of IBM. But project management had never been a part of the curriculum until the company recognized the need to become more project-based and to stress the importance of adhering to one set of standards.
Over the years, we've worked on cultivating the proper climate and adopting best practices to tailor the overall processes that form the company's structure. And in 1996, a formal department was introduced to develop and deploy corporate project management initiatives centered on people, processes and tools. One of the early deliverables was the implementation of courses to help employees interested in becoming IBM-certified project managers.
Although IBM has one consistent, scalable project management methodology, individual business units apply these principles to meet their needs.
IBM’s Project Management Center of Excellence program is dedicated to strengthening project management capabilities, recognizing professionals for their skills and experience, and ensuring project managers meet and exceed worldwide standards. The program offers different levels of certifications for executives and non-executives alike, and it isn't just about passing a test. We are looking for positive experiences and the successful execution of principles.
Project management at IBM is a multidimensional discipline. It's not just about developing and selling a product; it's about integrating functions across departments to launch the right product at the right time for the right price. Although IBM has one consistent, scalable project management methodology, individual business units apply these principles to meet their needs. Project managers ensure team members across the various functions—development, finance, sales, marketing, service and manufacturing—adhere to a project-based approach.
At the core, we're trying to meet requirements from a scope, cost and schedule standpoint, but it goes beyond that. Our objectives include:
- Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of project management deployment
- Clarify expectation levels for how projects, programs and portfolios will be managed
- Increase visibility to project progress and results
- Minimize the occurrence of troubled projects and programs
- Deliver projects with excellence, thereby improving client satisfaction.
Giving back to the project management community is important to us and is a required part of IBM project management certification. Mentoring and sharing best practices contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of project management. Integrating project management knowledge and practices into day-to-day activities helps ensure consistency across business units. In addition, our internal e-newsletter keeps IBM project managers informed of educational events and project management news. And our “eShareNets”—a web-based repository of project experiences and lessons learned— facilitate the sharing of project management.
The intent is always stronger business results. Our investment in project management has paid off in terms of delivering projects with higher success in regards to our outlined objectives. Project management isn't just a good idea, it's a business imperative to drive common standards and criteria while delivering projects with excellence. PM