Building a PMO in a Disaster Services Organization

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Building a PMO in a Disaster Services Organization

• The Canadian Red Cross Society
• Renee Cormier, PMP
• Elena Shkrob

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• Good control reveals problems earlywhich only
  means youll have longer to worry about them.

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Objectives

• Introduction to the Canadian Red Cross Society
  (CRCS)
• PMO Mission
• Three Phase Implementation
• When Disasters Strike
• Keys to Success/Lessons Learned

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1. Red Cross History

• gt 100 years old
• 1859 Founder Henry Dunant after the battle of
  Solferino
• 1885 First Red Cross flag in Canada
• 1909 Canadian Red Cross Act
• Now in 181 countries

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The Canadian Red Cross Mission

• To improve the lives of vulnerable people by
  mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and
  around the world.

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CRCS Programs

• Disaster Services
• International Programs
• First Aid and Water Safety
• RespectED Violence and Abuse Prevention

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CRCS Structure

• 5 zones
• Atlantic
• Quebec
• Ontario
• Western
• National Office
• 250 branch/district offices

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2. The PMO Mission

• To strike fear in the hearts of staff

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2. The PMO Mission

• And to create as much paperwork as possible!

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2. The PMO Mission

• Project Monitoring and Reporting
• Develop Standard Methodology Tools
• Provide Support Training
• Build a Project-centric Culture

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3. Three Phase Implementation

• Basic Building Blocks
• Organizational PM Maturity
• Strategic Project Management

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Three Phase Implementation
The Strategic PMO
Value
PM Maturity Level
Basic Building Blocks

Time
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Phase 1 - Basic Building Blocks

• Project Inventory Maturity Assessment
• PMO Project Charter
• Standard Processes, Methodology Tools
• Fast Track Training Strategy
• PM Hiring
• Phase 1 Assessment

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Communication/Marketing Plan

• Presentations
• Training
• Lunch Learn Sessions
• Quarterly Newsletter

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Phase 2 - Turn Key PMO Operation

• Operationalized in April 2005
• Efficiencies Tools
• Volunteers

PMs building their own
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Phase 3 The Strategic PMO

• Portfolio Management
• Organizational Processes
• ROI
• PM Tools
• Strategic Project Planning

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4. When Disasters Strike

• Keeping Projects Moving
• Monitoring Reporting
• Impacts Cross-Impacts, Reducing, Avoiding
• Kick Starting
• Re-plan Change Approvals

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5. Keys to Success Lessons Learned

• Senior Management Support
• Change Management Communication
• Relationship Building Integrity
• Service Orientation
• Confirm Value Add
• Keep Staff Budget Down

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Existing Challenges

• Fear of the unknown ?Communication
• Perception of bureaucracy and/or control
• ?Service Orientation
• -?Time and seeing the value

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Recommendation

• If at first you dont succeed, remove all
  evidence that you ever tried.

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• ?

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Please Contact Us

• Renee Cormier,
• Senior Project Management Advisor
• renee.cormier_at_redcross.ca
• 613-740-1892
• Elena Shkrob
• Project Manager
• elena.shkrob_at_redcross.ca
• 613-740-1874