This is the on-line Project Office Assessment Form. Please follow the instructions below to complete the form or click on the home icon.

 

Welcome to the Project Support Office Initial Assessment

This is Step 1 of the 4 Step PSO Improvement Process developed by Wellingtone from the PSO research undertaken at Leeds Metropolitan University.

The purpose of Step 1 is to provide a clear picture of current PSO capability across 10 functional areas. This will highlight PSO strengths and weaknesses and help identify where improvements may be appropriate.

Step 1 consists of a detailed on-line questionnaire. Please click START when you are ready to begin. The questionnaire takes approximately 20 minutes to complete.

On completion of the questionnaire we will prepare your Initial Assessment Report. This will be sent to the email address you provide on the last page and there is no charge for this service.

For further information please click the home icon at the top of the screen or contact Vince Hines as follows.

Phone: 01753 621 200
Fax: 01753 622 150
Email: vince.hines@wellingtone.co.uk

 

 

Foundation

This is the set-up of the project office and details some of the key fundamentals of a PSO. The following questions will allow us to test this:
  Disagree Tend to Disagree Tend to Agree Agree
The PSO has it's own managent structure
Inter-department communication can be facilitated by the PSO
Continued improvement of the PSO is the in remit of the PSO
  Never Rarely Usually Always
Procedures and standards are agreed by the project managers
Example documents from previous projects are made available
Relevant Project Management software is utilised PSO
The project file is updated by the PSO
Basic administrative assistance (e.g. minute taking) is undertaken by the PSO
Once in existence, projects are formally recognised and identified
The PSO assists in project selection
Configuration management is undertaken within the PSO
Stakeholder communication is managed by the PSO
The PSO assists in the Risk Management process
       

Guidance

The guidance aspect of the PSO should enable the staff to monitor projects within the organisation and guide them to their completion. The following questions are designed to test this functionality:

  Disagree Tend to Disagree Tend to Agree Agree
Template schedules are maintained and supplied
The PSO can advise on appropriate resources (people, machinery, materials) for projects
The PSO is responsible for the project management process and procedure (methodology)
Reward and recognition – appraisals are carried out of project staff
The PSO is responsible for keeping up to date in terms of Project Management developments and best practice
Project processes and procedures are continually reviewed and updated by the PSO
  Never Rarely Usually Always
The PSO contributes to the estimating process
The PSO identifies and communicates new risks
  Yes No
Mentoring can be provided on Project Start-up and Plan
Mentoring can be provided on Project Costs and Benefits
Mentoring can be provided on Risk Management
Mentoring can be provided on Monitoring and Control
Mentoring can be provided on Knowledge Management
Mentoring can be provided on Process and Procedures
Mentoring can be provided on Stakeholder Management
   

Skills

Providing skills in project management is often regarded as a core function of the PSO. If the PSO can provide this, the level of project management maturity within the organisation can be continuously improved. The following will test this functionality:

  Yes No
The PSO can provide specialist skills in Quality Management
The PSO can provide specialist skills in Configuration Management
The PSO can provide specialist skills in Planning and Control
The PSO can provide specialist skills in Risk Analysis
The PSO can provide consultancy support
The PSO can provide specialist skills in Information administration and management
The PSO can provide specialist skills in Value Management
  Disagree Tend to Disagree Tend to Agree Agree
Project Management software is selected, operated and supported
Issue resolution is promoted with other departments
       

Briefing

The beginning stages of the lifecycle are important to ensure the right project is undertaken and achievable objectives are set. The PSO can aid the project management process in achieving these goals. The following will test this functionality:

  Never Rarely Usually Always
Facilitation of project start-up meetings can be undertaken by the PSO
The PSO supplies project definition documentation
The PSO assists with stakeholder identification
The PSO assists with stakeholder analysis
Projects benefits are listed, monitored and controlled
&Risk Management workshops are facilitated by the PSO
‘What if’ analyses within projects are performed by the PSO
       

Planning

As the next stage of the lifecycle, and perhaps the one most associated with project management, the planning stage is concerned with estimating the time and cost of the undertaken project. The PSO can play a key role in this function and the following will test this:
  Never Rarely Usually Always
The PSO supplies project schedules (e.g. Gantt charts)
The PSO assists in the development of cost models e.g. ‘S’ Curves
The PSO contributes to project accounting procedures
The PSO can provide historical data on previous projects
Skills available in the organisation (outside of the PSO) are recorded and used
The PSO facilitates the use of metrics and performance indicators on projects
  Disagree Tend to Disagree Tend to Agree Agree
Liaison with external suppliers can be performed by the PSO
       

Implementation

Gathering feedback from active projects and using this information to guide the project to its conclusion is a key element of project management and the PSO can help to carry out these tasks. The following will question this area of support:

  Never Rarely Usually Always
The PSO collects actual data
The PSO produces progress reports
Project information is stored and used by the PSO
The PSO tracks and records changes made to projects
Project information is collected, collated and recycled
  Disagree Tend to Disagree Tend to Agree Agree
The PSO can implement control action on projects
The PSO can undertake project audits
       

Review

As an often neglected project stage, the post project review offers the opportunity to capture knowledge in order to improve future performance. The following (and final) questions will explore this area:
  Never Rarely Usually Always
The PSO facilitates project closeout
The PSO facilitates the process of learning from projects
Metrics are stored from previous projects
  Disagree Tend to Disagree Tend to Agree Agree
Common faults can be identified at project reviews
The PSO updates and amends process and procedure documentation
       

Assessment Complete

Thank you for completing the on-line PSO Assessment. Your answers will enable us to generate your Initial Assessment Report.

This report, showing percentage utilisation of each PSO functional area, will be prepared by one of our consultants and will be emailed to you within a few days. Please do not hesitate to contact Scott Etherington in the meantime should you have any problems or questions.

Please complete your contact details below. Once this information has been successfully submitted you will be returned to the Wellingtone home page.

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