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BC HydroProject ManagementCommunity of Practice (PM CoP)

Al Geissler, P. Eng., PMP

PMI CWCC

March 16, 2011

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Introduction

Background 1986 - Created PM CoP 1980’s - Impact of the 1981 recession Mid 1980’s -Restructuring and a new focus 2001 - Upgrade of the electrical system 2004 - Revitalization of various CoP’s 2007 – added resource support to PM CoP 2009 – increased the PM CoP mandate 2010 - OPM3 formal recognition of PM CoP

What is a Community of Practice? (CoP)

• An organization that is formed to improve an individual’s ability, and their respective organizations ability, to deliver specific products.

• Used to Identify common issues of importance and to discuss potential solutions

• Most Project Managers have started a Project Management CoP and did not realize it

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BC Hydro’s PM CoP Purpose and Objectives

…encourage our staff to identify, share and implement best and innovative practices for the purpose of enhancing our overall ability to deliver specific products that are linked to BC Hydro’s vision and objectives.

How do we accomplish this purpose?

By: Identifying common issues of importance and

discussing potential solutions Sharing long term plans for the discipline Providing collegial support for each other Encouraging a mentoring culture and providing

support Raising the profile of project management Seeking ways to increase the value of the

practice to the company

Three key ingredients to succeed

• First, practitioners must see a need for a PM CoP and see the value that it creates

• Secondly, a senior level sponsor is needed who shares the overall vision

• Thirdly, the organization needs an enthusiastic person who is willing to lead and organize the effort

In summary

• Our Project Management Community of Practice is an effective communications and collaboration tool that improves an individuals ability and the organizations ability to deliver Quality products within scope, on time and on budget.

Words of Caution

• Keep “Community” as the focus

• The Community must have a sense of ownership

• The Community must not be seen as “one person”

• Willing volunteers are very important and process burden or micro management destroys volunteers

BC Hydro’s Vision:

Powering BC with clean, reliable energy for generations

• Project Managers and their respective teams must keep BC Hydro’s Vision and associated objectives in mind during all aspects of Project Management particularly in “long term planning”

• Our PM CoP is a perfect venue to share experiences and knowledge in this regard.

BC Hydro Objectives

Safely keep the lights on – reliably meet the electricity needs of our customers through integrated planning, technology and safely operating, maintaining and advancing our system.

Mind our Footprint – Create a sustainable energy future in BC by carefully managing our impacts on the environment and fostering an energy conservation and efficiency culture.

Succeed through Relationships – Gain support for our work by building trusted relationships with customers, suppliers, First Nations and the communities we serve.

Objectives

Foster Economic Development - Foster economic development opportunities across BC through our projects, practices and advancement of the clean energy sector.

Maintain Competitive Rates – Deliver value for British Columbia and maintain competitive rates by efficiently and responsibly managing our business.

Engage a Safe & Empowered Team – Empower a team that is innovative, prepared for the future and committed to safety.

Combined

Our vision and these objectives form the barometer of the work we all undertake every day as Project Managers

Our PM CoP helps Project Manager’s maintain the links to the barometer

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Business Drivers

Business Drivers – vision Business Drivers – vision and objectivesand objectives

Demand on resources Demand on resources Increased WorkloadIncreased Workload

Retirements – loss of Retirements – loss of knowledge; Lack of training;knowledge; Lack of training; New people New people

Quality &Consistency

InfluencesInfluences

Employee Productivity

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Who is the “Community”?

98% Internal membership

Champions& Resources

Internal and external

-Generation-Transmission-Distribution

Potential members Potential members throughout BC Hydrothroughout BC Hydro

Canadian Electrical Utilities Project Management Networking Group

Methods used

• Lunch and Learn sessions• Develop and deliver courses and workshops• Showcase engineering, project management and

technology• Keep communications activity regular and current• Provide opportunities to network and establish

exceptional working relationships.• Project Management Boot Camps• Orientation for new or ‘transferred in’ employees• Mentorship Program

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Specific examples – to name just a few

PMP certification training

Stakeholder engagement

Working effectively with Aboriginal People

Effective Business Case Writing

Risk Management

Structured Decision Making

Facility tours

PM Boot Camps

Mentorship Program

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PM Boot Camps – two objectives

Get new employees up to speed on our Project & Service Delivery Practices quickly

Build or enhance an individuals network of key contacts.

Boot Camp session design

Session design evolved and now follows: 3 half day sessions during the first week 2 tours of BC Hydro facilities within the Lower

Mainland during the second week 5 half day sessions during the third week

Follow-up sessions are scheduled for each participant to expand and present on topics covered during Boot Camp. (Brown Bag lunches)

7 sessions to date

20 people in each session

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Mentoring

Mentorship is provided to all who wish to have a mentor assigned within those involved in the delivery of Capital Projects. PM’s, Technologists, Work Package Leaders,

others

Mentorship is coordinated through the PM CoP lead

Project Management Advisor

Works as a highly valued general coach and mentor

Independently reviews Project Plans and other related project documentation

Develops and delivers some key training

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Professional Development (PDU’s)

Designed to provide up to 20 PDU’s per year.

PMP’s deliver their own presentations

We met with local CWCC representatives to ensure our activity met PDU requirements

BC Hydro and CWCC representatives met with APEGBC to ensure alignment with their CPD

Created a PDU quick reference card to: Assist on-line registration of PDU’s Help recruit volunteers to present at PM CoP

sessions

Future

2012: We plan to: Expand community participation through live

meetings Provide easier access to

Collaborative tools Easier access to project information Easier access to lessons learned

Enhance our mentorship program

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Summary

Many BC Hydro employees have come to realize the immense value of sharing and learning from the experience of others.

Getting Project Managers and other project team members to share their experiences is no longer a big issue.

We can all read “lessons learned” in project completion reports, but nothing trumps the learning from hearing and discussing issues in an open forum with the person who was directly involved.

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Questions?

Thank you for your interest in this topic.

Any further questions, please contact me at: al.geissler@bchydro.com