Common Language Introduction - Strategic Planning for Project Management

Level 1 is the level in which the organization first recognizes the importance of project management. The organization may have a cursory knowledge of project management or simply no knowledge at all. There are certain characteristics of Level 1, as shown in Figure below:

• If the organization is using project management at all, the use is sporadic. Both senior management and middle-level management provide meaningless or “lip service” support to the use of project management. Executive-level support is nonexistent.
• There may exist small “pockets” of interest in project management, with most of the interest existing in the project-driven areas of the firm.
• No attempt is made to recognize the benefits of project management. Managers are worried more about their own empires, power, and authority, and appear threatened by any new approach to management.
• Decision-making is based upon what is in the best interest of the decision- maker, rather than the firm as a whole.
• There exists no investment or support for project management training and education for fear that this new knowledge may alter the status quo.

In Level 1, project management is recognized, as in all companies but not fully supported. There is resistance to change and some companies never get beyond this level.

Characteristics of Level 1:

The starting point to overcome the characteristics of Level 1 is a sound, basic knowledge of the principles of project management. Education is the “name of the game” to complete Level 1. Educational programs on project management cover the principles of project management, advantages (and disadvantages) of project management methodologies, and the basic language of project management.

Project management certification training courses are ideal to fulfill the organizational needs to reach Level 1 of the project management maturity model (PMMM). Project management and total quality management (TQM) are alike in that both require an all-employee training program that begins at the senior levels of management. However, the magnitude of the training program and the material covered can vary, based upon the type of employees, skills needed, and the size and nature of the projects within the organization. Executives may require only an overview course of three to six hours, whereas employees who are more actively involved in the day-to-day activities of projects may require week-long training programs.