What Is Organizational Project Management (OPM)?

Organizational project management is the application of project management knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to organizational resources in order to achieve business objectives. It is a relatively new field that is constantly evolving.

There are many different ways to implement OPM, and the benefits can vary depending on the organization. OPM can be used to manage multiple projects, portfolios, or programs. It can also be used to improve communication and collaboration between departments or teams.

It is a new approach to managing projects that emphasizes the importance of organizational culture and alignment with strategic goals. 

According to The Standard for Organizational Project Management:

“Organizational project management is the framework used to align project, program, and portfolio management practices with organizational strategy and objectives, and customizing or fitting these practices within the organization’s context, situation, or structure”.

One of PMI’s most recent principles, it is compatible with other PMI standards as well as the seventh edition of A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) that mentions that:

It helps organizations deliver value through the following principles:

• Alignment with organizational strategy
• Integration with organizational enablers
• Consistency of education and delivery
• Organizational integration
• Value to the organization
• Continuous development

Implementing OPM

In order to implement this approach, you will need to select an OPM3®-certified provider. This provider will help you assess your organization’s OPM maturity, develop an implementation plan, and provide training and support to get you started.

Once you have selected a provider, you will need to create a cross-functional team that will be responsible for the its implementation. This team should include representatives from all parts of the organization, from front-line workers to senior management.

It incorporates the best practices of traditional project management with an added focus on organizational strategy and governance. In order to implement, following points should be followed.

• First, senior management must buy into the idea and establish an steering committee. This committee will be responsible for developing the framework and setting project management standards for the organization.
  
• Once the framework has been established, project managers must then undergo training on the methodology and tools.
  
• Finally, the organization must put processes and procedures in place to ensure that all projects are conducted using the framework.

The OPM Framework

The framework is composed of three elements: 

Strategy Delivery

The process of developing and implementing organizational strategy. It is comprised of two main components: 

• The Management of On-Going Operations, which is responsible for producing value, and 
• The Management of Authorized Programs and Projects, is responsible for increasing the value production capability of the organization. 

Linkage & Oversight

The process of linking organizational strategy to project and program delivery.

It helps organizations solve the challenges of an ever-changing landscape by providing visibility into an organization’s total investment portfolio, linking from investments to strategic objectives, and providing oversight and governance to Portfolio Management Strategic, Planning and Management of Projects, Programs, and Operations

Strategy Development

The process of developing organizational strategy. The organizational strategy and objectives define the organization’s mission, vision, and goals. The project management processes are the steps taken to achieve the project objectives. The project management practices are the methods used to implement the project management processes. 

Differences between OPM and Project Management

PMO focuses on supporting the management of projects, whereas Organizational project management focuses on the organization as a whole. Furthermore, PMO is typically a centralized function within an organization, whereas OPM can be decentralized. 

Additionally, PMO typically has a higher level of control over projects, whereas OPM has a more consultative approach. 

There is often confusion around the roles of a Project Management Office (PMO) and Project Manager. While both play an important role in ensuring the successful delivery of a project, there are key differences between the two.

OPM Project ManagementA PMO is a centralized unit that provides support to project managers Project Management is the responsibility of individual project managers.
PMOs typically have a staff of trained professionals who provide assistance with project planning, scheduling, and tracking	while Project Management does not necessarily require dedicated staff.
MOs can be beneficial to organizations by providing a consistent approach to managing projects	Project Management is more project-specific.

A PMO is responsible for governing all projects within an organization. This includes the development of processes and procedures that all projects must follow, as well as the identification and management of risks.

It also provides support to project managers, ensuring that they have the resources and information they need to deliver their projects successfully.

A project manager, on the other hand, is responsible for the delivery of a specific project. This includes managing the project team, developing the project plan, and ensuring that the project is completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.

Advantages Of Organizational project management 

It is a framework that provides organizations with a structured approach to managing projects. It helps organizations plan, execute, and deliver projects successfully.

Some of the advantages include:

• improved project planning and execution
• better communication and coordination between project stakeholders
• better management of resources
• improved project quality
• increased customer satisfaction

If your organization is looking for a way to improve its project management process, OPM may be the right solution.

Another crucial duty of the Strategic PMO is to guarantee that the benefit is fully realized through a customized approach to implementation that takes into account an organization’s strategy’s underlying drivers.

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