South African project and programme managers need to examine their ideas more carefully and the strategies surrounding them before investing in a project.
So says Geoff Reiss, a senior architect at UK-based Programme Management Group. This, he adds, is the main problem among project managers who embrace the latest programme management systems and techniques without thought or investigation and then face endless problems afterwards.
Reiss will deliver a keynote address at the Project Management SA conference, which runs from tomorrow until 1 June in Midrand, Gauteng.
His address will focus on project portfolio management, which he feels the South African industry lacks.
More analysis
Senior executives of project management businesses should take the necessary time and effort to analyse and critique their project idea to understand completely what it entails, Reiss advises. They can then choose the appropriate techniques and tools to ensure best results in the completion of that project, he says.
"Organisations in SA, as well as the world, need to better manage complex resources, interdependent projects and programmes, high staff turn-over and rising overheads. Investments need to be aligned to business objectives so that the return on investments can be greater," he adds.
Skills needed
Reiss is adamant that skills development among project and programme management is much needed as "projects in the IT field are costing far more than they should and taking more time than expected to reach fruition.
"Poor communication between IT departments and business managers is also a great problem which needs to be addressed. It is impressive that SA has formed a special interest group, but now we must wait and see if it can actually empower," Reiss says.
Related stories:
UK firm partners BEE company
IT project governance group formed
Conference promotes PM knowledge sharing
Share