Theme 1 Practices
A key to improving performance in Programme and Project Management (PPM) is a core set of practices. These include two vital aspects:
- Process – the stipulated way of working
- Behaviour – the way that people actually work
Deming was the quality guru who famously stated that the majority (90%) of problems or errors in work were the fault of the system, not the individual. As a result, the usual response to programme or project failure has been the addition of more process.
PPM is regarded as a repetitive process, where the notion of "one-size-fits-all" prevails. Although PPM can be repetitive, it also has a high degree of unbounded uncertainty, emergence and dynamism. Also, unlike a production system, where most of Deming’s work was undertaken, PPM relies less on technology for the means of delivery of work, and more on the social system.
The work undertaken under our practice theme recognises this interplay of process and behaviour.