Project Management Case Study

Issue/Need
A very large, privately funded not-for-profit social service agency in Illinois, incorporating 20 agencies located in 119 facilities serving thousands of Chicagoans, had Facilities projects that often ran over budget and behind schedule. These projects ranged from new building construction to rehabilitation of older facilities to boiler replacements.

Objectives
This agency knew it needed to run large-scale projects more efficiently, while improving the project management knowledge of its extended facilities staff.

R&A Role
R&A designed and facilitated a 13-session customized experiential training program based on existing projects. This program served multiple purposes including

• A model for future projects and project management training,
• A refresher course
• Introductory course for new employees.

The program methodology was based on PMI standards, to match varying levels of project management skills.

Benefits

• The staff and managers learned the standard "project management" terminology, which has aided them to better communicate with one another at a single site or across multiple sites.
• Introduced "change management" process that resulted in fewer project scope changes and greatly increased client satisfaction.
• Subsequent projects have come in consistently on time and within budget, due primarily to the introduction to "project controls".
• All participants now use MS Project as a standard tool.

All managers are equipped with a replicable program using videotapes (of the sessions) and program materials designed specifically for them, which has significantly reduced the cost of employee training.