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There is so much written about the inability for Agile and traditional Project Management to work together in an integrated fashion. We not only refute that statement but provide a framework for an integrated approach.

This paper proposes a Framework which clearly shows the common elements (despite often differing terminology) and how they fit together. It proposes not only a logical map but also identifies some of the more cultural components which will need to change.

About the Author: Martin Vaughan (AIPM CPPD) is a Director and Senior consultant at Core Consulting. Martin has lectured in IT Project Management at the University of Melbourne and is an active member of the AIPM PMO Community of Practice.

There are so many Enterprise Project Management (EPM tools, also known as Portfolio Project Management or PPM tools) out there in the market, it can be an overwhelming choice. Just try Googling “EPM Tool”, 446,000 hits and counting. With clarity of requirements, a recommended process for selection and a healthy scepticism when dealing with vendors, organisations can approach the selection process with confidence.

This paper identifies key questions you will need answered before tool selection, and guides people in dealing with vendors.

About the Author: Martin Vaughan (AIPM CPPD) is a Director and Senior consultant at Core Consulting. Martin has lectured in IT Project Management at the University of Melbourne and is an active member of the AIPM PMO Community of Practice.

This whitepaper provides a synopsis of the “Victorian Government’s Ombudsman’s Own Motion” investigation into ICT-enabled projects, November 2011, which is available via this this link.

Covered in this paper is an explanation of “what” is project governance and “how” governance relates to the 5 themes identified in the ombudsman’s, above mentioned report. The paper includes a “120 second health check” for Project Sponsors to identify if their project needs help to get back on track.

About the Author: Phil Mann was a Senior Consultant with Core Consulting Group for a number of years. He specialised in project rectification using his 30 years of project management experience and varied career which included General Manager, lecturing and consulting.

This whitepaper discusses the importance of, and clarifies the use of Uncertainty and the Funding Reserves required to provide a complete Project Budget.  Through the quantification of Variance and Risks and developing an Uncertainty profile, the provision of a reserve to manage all types of uncertainty becomes justifiable and means that projects stand a greater chance of success.  Without it, forecasts are unlikely to be met.

About the Author: Carol Elzink was a Senior Consultant, Planning and Estimation Subject Matter Expert with Core Consulting Group for a number of years. She has extensive experience in the interaction between business operations and projects, developing and leading various functions and sizes of Project Management Offices in a range of commercial and project environments.

This whitepaper continues on from the paper presented by Martin Vaughan at PMOZ Conference Canberra 2009 – Improving Estimating and Cost Management on IT Projects. It draws on some of the key academic studies from around the globe and considers what factors contribute to improving estimation accuracy and the relationship to estimation techniques. It explores:

• What techniques lead to greater accuracy?
• What makes a difference to estimation accuracy?

It forms conclusions including that the greatest factor to estimation accuracy are the human factors of behaviour, culture and communication.

About the Author: Chris Dwyer is a Senior Consultant and Director of Core Consulting Group. He is an active member of both AIPM and PMI PMO Special Interest Groups and has provided guidance to a range of organisations around PMO implementation and optimization.