Virtual Project Management - Communities of Practice

It seems uncanny now that I wrote this series on project management as a service (PMaaS) back in December 2019, before the present health crisis made working together virtually a necessity in many industries. 

My first blog in the series explained how PM Solutions has long worked to perfect virtual project services and team learning. We’re so grateful to be able to leverage this long experience for our clients today! In this second blog in the series, I talk about how having shared thought leadership resources provides a solid foundation for virtual project work.

While PM Solutions adheres to the recognized standards of the Project Management Institute (PMI) and Agile Best Practices, we’ve also developed our own Project Management Community of Practice (PMCoP). Think of it as a library of processes, tools and templates—what we often refer to as our “Library of Accelerators.” Why? Because having these researched and field-tested tools at our fingertips speeds response time and implementation of plans.  Each of our employees applies these tools as needed on client projects or to enhance an existing client methodology.  We also adhere to the security requirements specific to each client and industry.

What exactly is the PMCoP?

The PMCOP is a collection of tools and methods that represents our best practices—validated by research and tested in the field—for planning, managing, and delivering a wide variety of projects. The goal of the PMCOP is to provide repeatable, quality solutions that will result in successful projects and satisfied customers.

PMCOP has been developed so that it can be tailored to each project environment. At project startup, our project management consultants will tailor the methodology to align with the specific objectives and requirements of the project. The resulting concepts, tools, and techniques will be shared with each member of the project team and will become a way of life for the project staff. This will provide the structure, focus, and discipline needed to successfully deliver a project of any size or complexity.

The PMCOP includes tools and processes that allow for consistent, efficient, and effective project management. Additionally, our breadth and depth of knowledge and experience result in reduced risk, high-quality performance, and, ultimately, the success of the project.

While PM Solutions has worked with and utilized many industry-leading PM and PPM tools, including MS Project, Primavera, Smartsheet, Sciforma, CA Clarity PPM, Planview, Jira, and others, we intentionally remain “tool agnostic.” Clients never have to wonder if we are trying to “sell” them a tool for our own benefit. We work with or recommend only tools that are either preferred by the client or that offer the best fit for the culture and issues needing resolution.

PM Solutions partners with clients to recommend, develop, and deploy a planning, forecasting approach that helps mitigate and minimize the instances of sudden project manager resource requests with little or no previous line of sight.  Based upon our experience, this may include tools and techniques we have already developed in our Library of Accelerators, such as our Resource Utilization & Demand Management processes, including actual utilization versus estimated utilization. These indicate the efficient use of project resources, can also indicate the effectiveness of duration planning processes.

Another advantage we bring to the table is our unique blend of research, consulting, and training expertise. This allows us to develop top-notch internal training, both for our own team and for yours. During the initial Discovery & Alignment phase—a three- to four-week period where we immerse ourselves in your world to fully understand and adopt your culture, processes, and tools—an instructional designer will translate these learnings into PM Solutions’ orientation and onboarding process for the project management resources working on your project.  

More information and links to all of our research can be found at www.pmsolutions.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of using virtual project management services?

Virtual project management services offer numerous benefits, including increased flexibility, access to a wider pool of talent, reduced overhead costs, and improved collaboration among geographically dispersed teams. They also enable faster project启动 and greater agility in responding to changing project needs.

How does PM Solutions ensure effective virtual project management?

We leverage our extensive experience in virtual project delivery, our robust PMCoP, and our advanced technology infrastructure to ensure seamless communication, collaboration, and project tracking. We also provide comprehensive training and support to our team members and clients to ensure everyone is equipped for success in a virtual environment.

Can you explain more about the Project Management Community of Practice (PMCoP) and how it benefits clients?

Absolutely! The PMCoP is our internal knowledge hub, containing a wealth of best practices, templates, tools, and resources that have been developed and refined over years of experience. This allows us to quickly deploy proven solutions and accelerate project delivery, ultimately benefiting our clients through increased efficiency and improved outcomes.

How does PM Solutions integrate with a client’s existing tools and processes when providing virtual project management services?

We take a flexible and collaborative approach, working closely with our clients to understand their existing tools and processes. We can integrate with a variety of project management software and adapt our methodologies to align with your specific needs and preferences. Our goal is to seamlessly integrate with your environment and enhance your existing capabilities.

What security measures does PM Solutions have in place to protect client data in a virtual environment?

We take data security very seriously and have implemented robust measures to protect client data, including secure data storage, access controls, encryption, and regular security audits. We also ensure our team members adhere to strict confidentiality agreements and industry best practices for data protection.

How do you measure the success of a virtual project management engagement?

We use a variety of metrics to measure success, including on-time and on-budget project delivery, client satisfaction, achievement of project objectives, and improvements in team performance and collaboration. We work closely with our clients to define success criteria upfront and track progress throughout the engagement.

What types of projects are best suited for virtual project management?

Virtual project management can be applied to a wide range of projects, from small initiatives to large-scale, complex endeavors. It's particularly well-suited for projects involving geographically dispersed teams, those requiring specialized expertise, and those that benefit from flexible and agile approaches.