Implementing Project Management Methodology

When the State of Michigan needed first-class general and IT project management training, they turned to ESI International because of its certification offerings, high-quality instructors and account support. After implementing this robust training program for just one year, Michigan saw more structure in their project management process, as well as increased employee satisfaction and retention.

Several years ago, the State of Michigan wanted to increase the success rate of its information technology projects to better serve its customers and decrease project costs. Top officials in the governor's office decided the solution was to implement commercial management techniques, based on recognized and repeatable best practices. This idea launched the governor's Office of Project Management (OPM), which expanded the program to include all of the state's projects.

In order to educate its work force and managers, the executives at the State of Michigan had to find a first-class training organization. After careful review, Michigan chose ESI International as its training partner, in large part because ESI offers both general and IT project management courses.

To reach its goal of more successful projects, the State of Michigan recognized that it needed to develop and promote the use of a statewide, consistent project management methodology, including tools and methods. The OPM started a plan to implement formal project management practices into all areas of state government. There was also a need for broader project management training opportunities and clear project management career paths.

Continuing with the idea of using a commercial management methodology, the members of the OPM started a process to continually review industry best practices and to work closely with organizations such as the Project Management Institute (PMI^®). ESI's courses closely follow PMI's PMBOK^® (The Project Management Body of Knowledge) and therefore help prepare employees for their PMP^® certification exam.

Certification, Quality of Instructors Meet Michigan's Training Needs
Another benefit of ESI's curriculum includes the certification of its students, a key feature for Michigan. This certification, a Master's Certificate in Project Management or Information Technology Project Management, awarded by The George Washington University, offers Michigan employees a chance to earn credible recognition for having a common knowledge base. This certificate also provides a clear incentive to enroll in the program since it defines a clear path for career growth and self-improvement.

"We made a decision early on in the establishment of the state Office of Project Management to identify the best, most versatile and comprehensive company to provide project management training. ESI has filled every criterion perfectly, providing a solid base in building the project management culture across state government. Top-quality instructors, curriculum and account support have made ESI a true partner as we continue to expand project management knowledge and discipline throughout the State of Michigan," says Beth Rigby, PMP, Project Manager/Quality Management Specialist for the State of Michigan Office of Project Management.

The quality of ESI's instructors has also played a major role in the success of the training program. "The knowledge, experience and enthusiasm that these instructors bring to the classroom helps keep the students motivated and interested," says Rigby. "The employees who have attended classes keep coming back because they feel good about how they're learning," continues Rigby. "Everyone involved feels a sense of excitement about the program and this furthers the changes necessary for this type of organization-wide culture transition."

Center of Excellence and ESI Courses Broaden Scope of Training
As the sophistication and knowledge levels of Michigan employees have increased, Michigan has broadened its contract with ESI because the training company offers in-depth courses that can grow along with the employees' expanding knowledge base. In addition, ESI has customized its courses to include specific project management challenges such as civil engineering. OPM's confidence in ESI's training program has grown even stronger since the company's broad base of relevant courses and ability to tailor the curriculum meets the needs of many varying projects.

The training curriculum is available to all Michigan employees to provide a standard methodology structure for the state and to help implement project management offices throughout various agencies. In addition to training, the state also identified standard tools such as scheduling and project management software. All of the components of the OPM were compiled and made available on the office's dedicated Web site.

In 2001, Michigan launched a Center of Excellence as another focal area of the OPM. This center provides a forum to foster greater knowledge of best practices and acknowledge statewide achievements in project management excellence and builds on the established state project management methodology, tools and training curricula to support application of project management across agencies. The Center serves as a repository of experience, information and recognition for the state's project management improvement initiative and successes.

Stage two of the initiative involves a much larger breadth and depth of the curriculum. Through the Training Advisory Group, which monitors the project management training portion of the program, internal and external training effectiveness is monitored informally with feedback forms and questionnaires as well as with formal benchmarking.

Project Management Training Contributes to Project Success
In a little more than a year after implementing this broad-based project management initiative, Michigan has begun to see a project management discipline as a structured approach to managing projects, ensuring more projects will be completed successfully. As the program matures, the state will continue to conduct benchmarking and to identify successes and gaps in its project management methodology and incorporate project management into the state culture.

Recognizing employees' achievements and nurturing their career paths is a part of the state's initiative. Michigan realizes that by offering this training program, the state can increase job satisfaction and employee retention. This effort will help to foster consistency of team members during a project's life cycle, which increases the success rate of projects. Executives have also seen an increase in project managers with credentials, such as a master's certificate or PMP^® certification.

Rigby notes that one of the challenges in any elected government organization is not only implementation of a program of this kind but also the continuation of the program once there is a change in administration. She feels that ESI's broad range of courses, enthusiastic instructors and the involvement of Michigan's employees have helped the OPM to start changing the culture of the organization. Rigby hopes that the success of the program can transcend any change in administration and that the program will continue to provide the State of Michigan with the project management training, tools and support that lead to project success.