PM-Pulse Assessment Suite

Do you want to know how your teams perform compared to others in your sector or are you aware of the need for improvement but don't know where to start?

Well, before implementing business improvement initiatives it is essential to have a mechanism for measuring current performance, benchmarking against industry standards, developing your journey plan and then measuring the subsequent increase in performance. It is for this reason that PM-Partners has developed and offers the PM-Pulse assessment solution that can be applied in a variety of contexts, to help you better understand the strengths and weaknesses of your organisation, so targeted improvements can be implemented and their effectiveness measured.

What are the benefits of using the PM-Pulse Assessment Suite?

• PM-Pulse encapsulates domain knowledge,best practice and internationally recognised standards and thus remove the absolute dependence on the skill and experience of an individual consultant.
• PM-Pulse provides a consistent, accessible and more cost-effective data acquisition mechanism.
• PM-Pulse employs multi dimensional scoring, triangulation and complex statistical and analytical algorithms that create much more meaningful and richer outcome over standard "interview style" measurements.
• PM-Pulse has the ability to poll a broad range of people across an organisation with minimal workplace disruption and consequently a more in-depth poll can be undertaken that provides a far more realistic view on the operation being assessed.
• PM-Pulse offers powerful reporting capabilities with the ability of the tool to quickly and automatically generate observations and recommendations related to the unique multi-dimensional results.

For what purposes can the PM-Pulse Assesssment Suite be used?

• Reviving floundering Projects or Programmes
• Initiating Organisational/Process Change
• Tracking adherence to agreed Business Processes/Practices
• Evaluating the capabilities of Teams and Individuals
• Informing the development of Staff Training and Development Roadmaps
• Monitoring the effectiveness of Change Management

The PM-Pulse approach

PM-Pulse assessments generally follow three key steps:

1. Online Survey

This works by asking participants to provide their answers to a structured questionnaire. Each of the PM-Pulse assessments has a unique set of questions.
A link to the online questionnaire is provided by email and participants are provided with the ability to call the Assessment Facilitator if they have questions.

Self-Assessment Assessment participants are asked to rate and comment on their own capabilities and performance. 360° assessment This is built around a triangular survey which maps the perception of the attribute being examined (for instance, managment skills) from the point of view of a range of different stakeholders (for example, line manager, customer and team member). The result is an objective view of the perceived value of that attribute, and any differences of perception between stakeholders are especially highlighted.

2. Face-to-face Interviews

This is an optional additional module conducted with the same group of people that is designed to tease out aspects of the review that cannot easily be revealed through the Online Survey and to view examples of the breadth and depth of the methods and tools used to support the areas being assessed.

3. Journey Plan

In this step the summary of data captured during the Online Survey and the Face-to-face Interviews is documented; the findings are analysed and recommendations are developed.

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Project Management Capability Assessment

Whether targeting 20 or 20,000 employees this rapid deployment Assessment is a cost effective option to manage project management execution and capability development across an organisation.

Participants are assessed against the PMI Project Management Competency Development Framework standard which uses criteria based on:

• Knowledge: the participant's formal project management knowledge
• Professional: their ability to apply that knowledge to their work
• Personal: how they behave in different situations

The result is a well-rounded appraisal of each participant's project management capability that can then feed into customised training development or coaching and mentoring plans. This information could also be useful when evaluating prospective staff to have on your project and forms a part of PM-Partners' recruitment & contracting service. Other benefits include:

Profile staff and baseline their current capability levels. Establish a performance management benchmark. Allow for informed decisions in regards to project allocation and resourcing levels. Identify education and other professional development needs. Develop plans to assist individuals in preparing for formal accreditation. Provide a framework for ongoing measurement of the currency of knowledge and competence, for compliance and audit purposes.

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Web-based Project Health Checks

PM-Partners group has developed a unique standard of 'people and process' criteria against which projects are assessed. We call it the 'art' and 'science' of project management. These crucial capabilities draw on global best practice and have been compiled utilising PM-Partners' extensive experience across project environments in all industries and enterprise areas.

Project-Pulse integrates the 360° style feedback. Selected project managers, stakeholders, customers and team members are able to provide their perspective on the status of the project. Comprehensive viewpoints ensure the insights generated are robust.

Clearly defined criteria used in Project-Pulse ensure the assessment process is easy to replicate and increases objectivity. Project-Pulse also offers powerful reporting capabilities with the capacity in the tool to quickly and automatically generate obeservations and recommendations related to the unique multi-dimensional results.

In addition to planning intervention on current projects, this low cost assurance vehicle can be used to:

Traverse an entire project portfolio to identify challenged projects Focus efforts to improve standards across the portfolio Reduce costs of project assurance Proactively measure stakeholder satisfaction Enable small and medium size projects to cost-effectively undergo assurance processes Provide sponsors with a fast and accurate review of how their investment is performing.

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