Project Support
There has been a lot of ‘bad press’ about ICT projects that have not met expectations. We often hear of large-scale programmes failing, but any project has the capacity to fall below expectations if it is not managed properly.
In the simplest terms and as the old adage goes; ICT projects succeed when they are delivered on time, on budget and they work as expected.
Here are some of the most important reasons for failure:
- Lack of user consultation
- Unrealistic timescales
- Poorly defined requirements
- Scope creep
- Poor change control
- Poor testing
Key elements of project success are:
- Effective team organisation and man-management
- Use of formal project planning tools and techniques
- Progress monitoring by regular project reviews
- Application of management techniques to identify, monitor & mitigate risk
- Formal change control procedures
- Formal testing and acceptance procedures
- Structured project closure
Many of these success criteria are not technical issues but management and training ones. This confirms what experience has shown in that ICT projects must be treated as business programmes.
How our service can help
All of this boils down to the fact that there is much greater chance of success when professional help is available from start to finish of all but the smallest of projects. Our project support services are based on critical success factors which have been identified based on successful completion of many projects.
We have a proven track record in delivering a variety of projects across all industry sectors ranging from those projects that last just a few days to on-going programme management activities for multinational clients. Project scope ranges from LAN solutions, intelligent voice solutions, WAN solutions, call centre solutions, complex converged solutions and application integration.
We are told by our clients that our ability to manage complex multi-vendor network implementations is of great value to them, particularly as we understand the technologies and can determine what is realistic and what is not when planning a project!
The people
With more than 100 man-years of experience in managing projects, our project managers are fully qualified to PRINCE2 standard, (PRojects IN Controlled Environments), and have completed the Information Systems Examination Board Certificate in Project Management.
As you would expect, our team has a great track record in successful project delivery. The team has substantial experience in the corporate environment, which means they have a good grasp of what it’s like to be sat on the other side of the table and having to deliver projects at the same time as running day-to-day business operations!
How we run a project
Working closely with our clients is a key part of running a successful project. At project start-up, we review the way a client’s organisation manages projects to determine whether new structures, methods and processes need to be developed. Our approach is based on best-practice methodologies and a combination of processes tailored to fit the specific needs of its client. Throughout the project life cycle, we apply tried and tested methods that include planning, change control and risk management.
A project manager is assigned to be the client’s primary point of contact throughout the project, even when the project involves multiple, phased implementations across many different locations or countries. They are there to ensure consistency and insulate the client from the day-to-day management responsibilities of the project.
A project quality plan forms part of the project kick-off. It defines in general terms how the project will meet the client’s expectations and also used to identify the techniques and standards to be implemented. If there is a quality management system in place this may be referenced within the plan.
Project Support Office
Our Project Support Office (PSO) forms the backbone of support for our project management teams. Its role is to help them plan resources and co-ordinate staff and equipment from all Damovo groups and third-party suppliers. The PSO tracks all projects and associated documentation across the whole of the Damovo organisation. This ensures that every project is managed efficiently and consistently, providing cover and uniformity for the Project Managers thereby reducing overall project risk.
Formula for success
Our project managers are always ‘hand-picked’ for each client project. This makes sure that not only the relevant technical skills are available, but to establish that the client feels comfortable with the project manager and they can work together. Experience tells us that this aspect, although not always obvious, forms the basis of project success. With this approach we can offer a winning formula that ensures projects are delivered on time, to budget and exceed all your expectations. This is our speciality.
