Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.1
Dr. Susan HeidornBRMP, CBAP, PMP, CSM, HSDPDirector of Business SolutionsWatermark Learning, Inc.
PMI-MN SymposiumSep15, 2016
susanheidorn@DrSKHeidorn
Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.©
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Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.©
1. Why project‐strategy alignment matters.2. 3 ways to enhance your strategic thinking abilities.3. 3 techniques to ensure your projects are aligned to
the strategic direction of the organization and will deliver forecasted value.
Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.©
Strategy is never fully implemented or implemented effectively.
Stakeholders are unhappy with the results of the project.
The solution is not used or used an intended. Too many low priority projects in the pipeline taking up resources.
Projects are implemented, but value is not realized. No coordination between business units and/or other projects.
Different views of the purpose of the project.
Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.©
Strategy is “a method or plan chosen to bring about a desired future.”
BusinessDictionary.com
Projects are the tool used to implement business strategy.
Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.©
If not…
Every project should contribute the organization’s strategic direction.
Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.©
Projects aligned to strategy: 90% success rate. Project not aligned to strategy: 34% success rate.
In addition companies that align projects to strategy…• are more nimble and effective. • are better able to capitalize on opportunities and maximize resources.
• have a higher employee engagement and buy‐in.• have lower absenteeism and a high level of ownership.
Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.©
TOP: Creates Strategy
Middle: Start Projects
Bottom: Execute Projects
Strategy?
Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.©
Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.©
Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.©
“Ability to see patterns and make links, even when there is a lot of detail and to see the big picture.”
HayGroup
“…a more systemic and holistic view of your environment.” Haines Centre for Strategic Management
“Assists in finding and developing unique opportunities that create value to the organization through challenging and creative dialogue.”
Center for Applied Research
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Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.©
Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.©
Draw Logical Conclusions
Make Assumptions
TakeAction
Source: Chris Argyris: Reasoning, Learning, and Action
Form Beliefs
Experience Emotions
Select Data
We Make Up A Story About It
Add Meaning
Based on our Perceptions
Pool of Data
Ladder of Inference
Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.©
Luke: What's in there?
Yoda: Only what you take with you.
Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.©
The Blind Men & the Elephant
Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.©
Role Sees the cause of the problem as…
Might see the Solution as..
Business Executive:
It is what it is. An opportunity to market for new lines of food, clothing, or diet programs.
Educator: Learning deficits by overcrowded schools and educational budget cuts. Cafeteria food.
Add more teachers.Increase school budgets.Offer more nutritious food.
Dietitian We have become a sedentary population with high caloric intake.
More exercise programs.Information & caloric labeling.
Sociologist: Inadequate family support and social structures due to increase in divorce rates and single parenting.
Provide additional support to families. Family planning.Family counseling.
Economist: Insufficient purchasing power due to an increase in food prices & inequitable distribution of agricultural commodities.
Increase wages.Price controls.Food subsidies.
Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.©
Ask questions; be inquisitive.
Seek out data that invalidate your original beliefs.
Apply creativity as well as critical
reflection.
Seek out & listen to other perspectives.
Challenge your existing assumptions and
conventional wisdom.Be ready to explore the possibilities.
Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.©
Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.©
Influences outside the program or project that can impact the selection, design, funding, management, and success of the program or project.
Environmental factors should be constantly monitored throughout the program.
Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.©
Strengths Weaknesses
Opportunities Threats
Internal Analysis
Internal Analysis
External Analysis
External Analysis
Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.©
Factors Going Away Generally Accepted Emerging On the Brink
Political Occupy Wall Street2 party systemUse of social media in politics
Voter ID No politicalaffiliation
Economic Growth of the middle class
Social securityMedicare Bit coins New Min wage
Social-Cultural
Getting a good job right out of college
Kids come back to live at home after graduation
More single adults then married adults
Small houses New careers at 60/70
Technology Check blanks On-line shopping & banking
3D printingDrones
Pay per use agreements
Environmental Coal Recycling, Organic farming
Urban gardens, Patio gardens,Solar energy
Water purifying in 3rd world countries
Legal /Compliance Paper records Drivers license
TSA checks Known Traveler On-line voting
Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.©
How will environmental influences impact your program or project?
Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.©
Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.©
“Strategic alignment is the key essential action requirement to achieve peak performance in any organization, leadership staff, business unit, team or individual contributor”.
Roger Ingbretsen – leadership coach
Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.©
How many of you ensure your projects are aligned to the strategic direction of your organization?
Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.©
Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.©
Vision
Mission
Organizational Strategies
Portfolio Management
Management of ongoing Programs, Projects, & Operations
Benefits Realization Management
Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.©
How many of you know your organization’s mission, vision & strategic initiatives?
What steps have you taken to ensure a program or project align to the strategic initiatives of the organization?
Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.©
Answer the following questions: What is the business issue? How will this project address the business problem/opportunity to what degree (measurable)?
What is the purpose of this project? What are the interdependencies between projects? How will it achieve what organizational benefits?
Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.©
Project deliverables and benefits must align with organization’s strategic goals.
Benefits Road Map can help demonstrate how benefits will be delivered and what assumptions are being made.
“However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results.”
—Sir Winston Churchill
Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.©
“What is the program’s ultimate “champagne moment?”
What does success look like? What business outcomes does the program need to realize? When?
Is this benefit achievable? Is it measurable? Can the target date for benefit be met? Can the benefit be assigned an owner? How does the benefit provide value to the organization?
Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.©
Organization’s Vision, Mission & Strategies
Program Vision, Mission, Strategy, Plan, Roadmap
Program Objective (MOS)
Business Benefits
Key Performance Indicators
Metrics
Measures
Program Objective (MOS)
Business Benefits
Key Performance Indicators
Metrics
Measures
Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.©
PlannedBenefits Deliverables KPI Measure Threshold Progress
IndicatorTarget Date /Milestone
Person/GroupAssigned
Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.©
What are the benefits of your project / program?
Can you measure them?
Will someone be monitoring its value after deliver to ensure benefits realization? If so, who?
Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.©
Bibliography
The Influencing Formula:
How to Become a Trusted Advisor and Influence Without Authority by Elizabeth Larson and Richard Larson
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Enhanced Performance. Enduring Results.