How to Leverage Project Management as-a Service (PMaaS) to Improve IT Team Focus, Clarity, and Purpose

Successful project management is critical in today’s marketplace. Organizations routinely have 40-50 (or more) projects in flight at any given time. IT projects account for a sizeable percentage of those, however, typical IT departments do not have professionally trained project managers. A common scenario can look like this: An IT network administrator is given the task to upgrade the network infrastructure at the company’s eight locations and she stumbles her way through it, often overrunning the budget and angering stakeholders at the lack of communication. Her core competency isn’t in managing projects, but in managing networks. Who could blame her when the network upgrade project goes off the rails?

Having the right people with the right skills for priority projects is among the top three delivery challenges, according to Project Management Institute (PMI) research. And one out of every six respondents in a 2020 survey conducted by PMI say lack of talent with the right skillsets was the single most important factor responsible for project failure at their organization.¹   Additionally, organizations that undervalue project management report an average of 50% more of their projects failing outright.²

The problem is that many companies find an in-house/full time dedicated trained project manager for the IT department is cost prohibitive.  However, they still expect IT projects to be completed on time and on budget. One solution is to invest in project management as a service (PMaaS). Most companies are already familiar with service-based solutions in IT. They use software as a service (SaaS) like Microsoft Office 365 or infrastructure as a service (IaaS) like Amazon Web Services (AWS). 

Project management as a service requires a shift in approach to our project portfolio and project planning. You must be willing to “hand the reins” over to project management professionals. In doing so, you will receive a cost-effective solution with greater project visibility to stakeholders and a better-quality project outcome. The managed service provider takes on the responsibility of organizing the myriad tasks, prioritizing the company’s own IT resources, and ensuring that proper communications throughout the organization take place.

Several factors may come into play when it comes to deciding if you want to engage with PMaaS:

1. You do not want to hire a full-time project manager for what you see as a temporary endeavor.
2. Your team is already stretched thin, and no one has the capacity to take on this project.
3. Your team lacks the project management expertise and organizational skills necessary to complete this project successfully.

Ultimately, the company that adopts PMaaS enjoys the benefits of completing more IT projects at a reduced cost, while at the same time, allowing their IT staff to focus on customers and performing the functions in which they are trained. 

Does any of this sound familiar? If so, Elliott Davis is here to help. We have trained professionals ready to help you deliver successful outcomes. We don’t focus on merely completing tasks, but on helping you realize the potential of your vision. Whether you’re looking for someone to come alongside your team to rescue a project that’s struggling or if you’re looking for a service provider to supplement resources for your entire project portfolio, we welcome your interest.

The information provided in this communication is of a general nature and should not be considered professional advice. You should not act upon the information provided without obtaining specific professional advice. The information above is subject to change.

Sources: 

^{1-PMI (2020). Tomorrow's Teams Today: The Future of Teaming: Creative, Collaborative and Agile. Pulse of the Profession.}

^{2-PMI (2020). Ahead of the Curve: Forging a Future-Focused Culture. Pulse of the Profession.}