Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/74024
"Just Enough" Project Management processes and tools, and allow your firm to grow in its project management maturity. Gradual Steps to Maturity Many people agree that there are various levels of an organization's "project management maturity." This ranges from one — no project management processes — to five — project-centered organizations. It is important that you understand the project management maturity level of your firm before you decide the level of process to be applied to your projects. Coming out with a full-blown PMO in a firm or department that is not accustomed to being managed is a recipe for failure and résumé updating. Gradually adding tools and processes to projects over time, and showing that they work, build acceptance. Just like everything else that we want to change, improving a firm's project management maturity is an exercise in organizational change management. If a project manager or the firm's PMO deploys a tool or process without considering the change management effects, the tool or process will often be an impediment to success. The firm needs to recognize the need for change, have some perceived sense of urgency and have a clear vision of what will be better after the change. Successful implementations of project management in law firms, for both administrative and matter-related projects, are possible. And it can be done without overwhelming the teams with too many tools and processes. Balancing the integration of the tools and processes with organizational change management requires commitment and leadership buy-in. It also requires the project manager to recognize that every project is different: different deliverables, different teams, different schedules and different requirements. Create the project management approach that works for your project and your firm by being flexible in the requirements for processes, documentation, meetings and reporting. Tune the levels of the process to the maturity of your organization, and modify the processes where needed. And keep a sense of humor. You will need it. ILTA's 2012 Compensation Survey is now available! click here to order your copy ILTA White Paper 19 ILTA's 2012 IT Compensation Survey illustration by thomas boucher, all rights reserved APR | 12 SURVEY ANALYSIS AND RESULTS