Enterprise Program Management (EPM) Framework

EPM Challenges and Risks

A group of top-10 project challenges can prevent the successful startup and execution of programs.

• Failing to institute a robust project process
• Insufficient definition and validation of requirements
• Early identification of project issues, dependencies and risks
• Lack of metrics for identified and measurable results
• Not having solid business and executive sponsorship
• Introducing unrealistic project schedules
• Failing to break projects into implementable chunks
• Assigning under-skilled personnel to complex activities
• Not factoring in the competing demands of other initiatives
• Slowed progress due to cultural resistance to change

EPM Critical Success Factors

EPM provides the road map and communication mechanism for successful execution of projects and programs.

• An integrated master plan
• Well defined set of roles and responsibilities
• Clear set of goals, expectations and requirements
• Strong project management skills
• Measurable performance metrics
• Attention to project tracking and reporting
• Identification of issues, dependencies and risks
• Active participation and input from business units
• Strong executive support
• Well defined communication plan

EPM Objective

Evolution of Best Practices

Continually evolves the building blocks of EPM including tools, methodologies, metrics, training courses and collateral.

Program Strategy Management

Advances the corporate strategy through program and strategy alignment, portfolio management, project prioritization, program inter-dependency management, enterprise resource management and strategic partnerships.

Competency Development

Deploys Project Management best practices across the enterprise through coaching, training, enterprise repository and governance.

Operational Oversight

Governance of all enterprise programs addressing scope assessment, viability reviews, resource allocation and risk assessment. Also, direct management of selected enterprise programs.

Benefits Achievement

Evaluating customer satisfaction, capturing collateral for re-usability, capturing and analyzing metrics for program benefits achievement, lessons learned and PMO process improvement.

Why Enterprise Programme Management?

Enterprise Program Management enables customers to reduce the risk of project failure, effectively prioritize program initiatives, optimize internal resources, enhance

delivery on stakeholder expectations, and improve return of investments.

• Provides leadership with a strategic view of initiatives, challenges financial and implementation assumptions, supports collaboration and reuse, helps manage risks, and verify results
• Offers a broad view of an overall program by coordinating the portfolio of initiatives across the enterprise, and guiding distributed Program Offices with responsibility for related projects
• Links project scheduling, budgets, and resources for enhanced program efficiency, effectiveness and productivity
• Helps to reduce costs overruns and improves the chances of on-time delivery of projects that meet stakeholders expectations
• Focuses on overcoming barriers to program management success with an holistic approach to melding people and process issues

Implementing an Organizational Bridge Using EPM (Enterprise Programme Management)

Business Drivers

• Define and manage needs across project areas
• Manage areas of commonality and conflict
• Exercise synergy between business solutions
• Phasing strategy and prioritization
• Vision
• High level requirements
• Process analysis
• Detailed analysis
• Technology Strategies
• Desktop, Database Marketing, Campaign Management

Shared Drivers

• Comprehensive Project Management
• Systems Integration
• Change Management
• Balanced Business Scorecard
• Risk Management
• Lessons Learned
• Process Improvement
• Knowledge Sharing

Technical Drivers

• Technical requirements
• Systems Architecture
• Rapid Application Development (RAD)
• Joint Application Development (JAD)
• Pre-bundled solutions for speed of implementation
• Technical Project Management
• Design
• Build
• Test
• Roll-out

Below is a typical EPM framework that serves as a “bridge” enabling organization alignment

Common Organizational Risks that Threaten Program Success

• Scope creep beyond organizational capability to execute
• Decisions take too long
• Leaders not engaged
• People affected by change have little or no input
• Lack of critical skills at the right time
• Recently merged organizations requiring complex alignment
• Organizational consolidations creating retention and morale problems
• Simultaneous rollout of multiple major initiatives
• Interruptions of day-to-day operations
• Pressure to over-customize systems and processes to fit current stove pipes

Typical Acceptance Process