Comment from email: Simple/Practical item

Project Managers need more empowerment. FAI has done a good job with the training and certification (FAC-P/PM), but IT Project Managers in organizations do not have any real authority on any acquisition team. One and only one person has sole and final say, the Contracting Officer. You have to work in that environment as I did for over 30 years to understand the dynamic. But the symptoms are clear. Large percentage of projects over budget, over schedule, under deliver. None of the underperforming projects need more technology…but they all need more leadership. SIMPLE SOLUTION; Make the IT Project Managers on par with the Contracting Officers. Then hold them both equally accountable. HOW: Give the IT Project Manager’s what the Contracting Officers have already been given for a long time - A “Warrant.” Scope the warrant appropriately for the project decisions that need to be made. (all warrants are scoped). You want to up the performance of the team and team leadership? Want to get projects moving, and team leaders fully engaged? Give the authority to lead.

Robert A. Marshall
Phd, PMP, MPM, CSPM, FAC-PPM/Level 3, Fulbright Sr. Specialist(c)-PM
Decatur, GA