Organizational Project Management Capacity Assessment Tool
Version 1.4
Table of Contents
- 1. Using and Scoring the Assessment
- 2. Instructions
- 3. Organizational Project Management Capacity Assessment
- 3.1 Investment Portfolio Management and Investment Program Management (10 Questions)
- 3.2 Organizational Support Structures (9 Questions)
- 3.3 Project Management Standards (20 Questions)
- 3.4 Project Integration Management (21 Questions)
- 3.5 Project Scope Management (4 Questions)
- 3.6 Project Time Management (5 Questions)
- 3.7 Project Cost Management (7 Questions)
- 3.8 Project Risk Management (4 Questions)
- 3.9 Project Quality Management (2 Questions)
- 3.10 Project Procurement Management (4 Questions)
- 3.11 Project Human Resource Management (4 Questions)
- 3.12 Project Communications Management (2 Questions)
1. Using and Scoring the Assessment
This assessment is organized according to the project management knowledge areas as outlined inA Guide to the Project Management Body of KnowledgeFootnote 1 and the Project Management Institute's (PMI) standards on program managementFootnote 2 and portfolio managementFootnote 3. The assessment also includes two additional knowledge areas: organizational support structures and project management standards. Each of these knowledge areas are described in Table 1.
Knowledge Areas | Definition |
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Table 1 Notes
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Organizational Integration | |
1. Investment Portfolio Management | This refers to the selection and support of projects or investment program investments. These investments in projects and investment programs are guided by the organization's strategic plan and available resources. |
2. Investment Program Management | This refers to the centralized, coordinated management of an investment program, designed to achieve the program's strategic objectives and benefits. |
3. Organizational Support Structures | These are the organizational structures and mechanisms that support project, investment program, and investment portfolio management. |
4. Project Management Standards | This refers to evidence of compliance with a standard methodology reflecting best practices for project management, investment program management, and investment portfolio management. |
Core Project Management | |
5. Project Integration Management | This includes the processes and activities needed to identify, define, combine, unify, and coordinate the various processes and project management activities within the project management process groups. Within the project management context, integration includes characteristics of unification, consolidation, articulation, and integrative actions that are crucial to project completion and successfully meeting customer and stakeholder requirements and expected outcomes. |
6. Project Scope Management | This primarily consists of defining and controlling what is and is not included in the scope of the project. It includes processes needed to ensure that the project includes all the work required, and only the work required, to complete the project successfully, based on the original or formally updated requirements. |
7. Project Time Management | This includes the processes required to accomplish timely completion of the project. |
8. Project Cost Management | This includes the processes involved in planning, estimating, budgeting, and controlling costs so that the project can be completed within the approved budget. |
9. Project Risk Management | This includes the processes concerned with conducting risk management planning, identification, analysis, responses, and monitoring and control on a project. It also includes the completion of project complexity and risk assessments as required by the Policy on the Management of Projects. |
Supporting Project Management | |
10. Project Quality Management | This includes the processes and activities of the performing organization that determine quality related policies, objectives, and responsibilities to ensure the project will satisfy the business needs for which it was undertaken. A quality management system implements policy and procedures, through continuous process improvement activities, as appropriate. |
11. Project Procurement Management | This includes the processes required to purchase or acquire the products, services, or results needed from outside the project team to deliver project outputs and outcomes. Project procurement management also includes the contract management and change control processes required to administer contracts or purchase orders issued by authorized project team members. It also includes administering any contract(s) issued by an outside organization (the buyer) that is acquiring the management services for the project from the performing organization (the seller) and administering contractual obligations placed on the project team by the contract. |
12. Project Human Resource Management | This includes the organization and management of the project team. The project team is comprised of the people who have assigned roles and responsibilities for completing the project. |
13. Project Communications Management | This includes the processes required to ensure timely and appropriate generation, collection, distribution, storage, retrieval, and ultimate disposal of project information. |
Knowledge Area | No. of Questions | Maximum Score |
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Investment Portfolio Management and Investment Program Management | 10 | 50 |
Organizational Support Structures | 9 | 45 |
Project Management Standards | 20 | 100 |
Project Integration Management | 21 | 105 |
Project Scope Management | 4 | 20 |
Project Time Management | 5 | 25 |
Project Cost Management | 7 | 35 |
Project Risk Management | 4 | 20 |
Project Quality Management | 2 | 10 |
Project Procurement Management | 4 | 20 |
Project Human Resource | 4 | 20 |
Project Communications | 2 | 10 |
Total | 92 | 460 |
The assessment tool tabulates a score out of 460 points. Expressed as a percentage, this score fits within a range corresponding to a capacity class as shown in Table 3.
Capacity Class | Definition | Rating (Out of 100) |
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0 - Limited | Spending authority is limited to $1 million. At this class, organizations tend not to have consistent project management discipline, but rely on the skills of individual project managers for success. |
< 25 / 100 |
1 - Sustaining | The organization has the capacity to successfully deliver projects to maintain its operational capacity. At this class, organizations tend to apply basic project management capabilities to projects; project planning tends to be more efficient and reporting often begins to be centralized. |
25-49 / 100 |
2 - Tactical | The organization has the capacity to successfully deliver projects to adjust its operations to meet planned objectives. At this class, project management processes tend to become standardized; project information is often collected centrally and projects tend to be approved and overseen by a designated governance body. |
50-69 / 100 |
3 - Evolutionary | The organization has the capacity to successfully deliver projects to achieve evolving strategic objectives. At this class, organizations tend to have integrated multi-project planning and control, where projects are managed as investment programs where appropriate to improve project selection, resource allocation, and project timing. Project related processes are to be integrated with corporate processes and structures; project performance analysis is advanced enough to provide input to process improvement and project planning; and standard governance structures are in place for project approval and oversight. |
70-90 / 100 |
4 - Transformational | The organization has the capacity to successfully deliver projects to change the way the organization does business. At this class, projects are selected and overseen based on contribution to the strategic plan. Project approval, timing, and resource allocation decisions are continually re-assessed to ensure optimal use of resources. Project management practices are continuously improved based on measurement of key performance indicators of compliance and project success. Project and portfolio management information systems are used to share information between project teams and between projects and management. The organization is "projectized" structurally and culturally to optimize success of strategic projects. |
90-100 / 100 |
2. Instructions
If the answer to any individual question is unknown for any reason, please select the lowest score option for the question.
The Organizational Project Management Capacity Assessment (OPMCA) tool contains 92 questions. This assessment tool is accompanied by the Guide to Using the OPMCA Tool and an Excel spreadsheet which will complete all the relevant tabulations automatically. The tool is also available on-line. For further information on how to setup a user account and complete an assessment on-line, please contact your departmental coordinator.
If you require more specific information on the purpose of the knowledge areas or the significance of a particular rating, please refer to the User Guide. For definition of terms, please refer to the Glossary included at the end of the User Guide. Some of the terminology used in the assessment tool may not be a best fit for your organization. Please consult with your departmental coordinator on how the terms are to be applied in your organization.
3. Organizational Project Management Capacity Assessment
3.1 Investment Portfolio Management and Investment Program Management (10 Questions)
Question | Clarifications | Rating |
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1. Do executive management performance management accords (PMA) include project performance metrics (for example, achievement of project results, completed on time, on budget and on scope)? |
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2. To what extent is the portfolio of planned projects selected, prioritized, and resourced according to its contribution to the organization's strategic objectives as outlined in the Program Alignment Architecture (PAA) in support of the Management Resources and Results Structure (MRRS) Policy? |
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3. Does the organization consider resource capacity and capability (e.g. human, financial, etc.), project dependencies, and delivery timeframes in determining the timing and amount of project work it undertakes? |
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4. Does the organization employ a process by which redundant projects are eliminated? |
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5. To what extent does the organization regularly review and assess the contribution and progress of projects currently in project implementation against the organization's strategic objectives and take action based on risks and issues to ensure projects continue to provide value? |
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6. If the organization has a function that supports and provides advice to organizational executive management regarding its projects (e.g. a project management office), does the function do either of the following?
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7. Does the organization manage groups of related projects as an investment program to gain the benefits and leverage control mechanisms not available from managing them individually? |
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8. To what extent do project managers regularly assess the dependencies between projects and resources (e.g. human, financial) allocated to projects and recommend resolutions to organizational executive management and resource owners? |
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9. To what extent have projects that were completed by the organization over the past five years been delivered on-time, on-budget, and delivered the proposed business benefits as established during project planning and identification? |
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10. Over the past five years, how effective has the organization been at estimating project cost and schedule? |
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3.2 Organizational Support Structures (9 Questions)
Question | Clarifications | Rating |
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11. Do the operational structures of the organization (e.g. systems, corporate services, and accommodation policies) support effective project management (e.g. do they accommodate project life cycles and not just fiscal life cycles)? |
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12. Does the organization support project management? (e.g. through the provision of collaborative project management and implementation tools and software for all desktops and co-location of project resources) |
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13. In how many of the following ways does the organization support project management as a profession?
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14. Are organizational executive management directly involved in guiding project management direction and strategies, and is the organization structured to support these strategies? |
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15. Does a standing governance structure exist that approves projects in the organization? |
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16. Does the organization invest in increasing project management capacity through establishing, executing, and maintaining a continuous improvement plan for project management capacity? |
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17. Are organizational structures in place to facilitate and support communication and collaboration among projects? |
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18. Does the organization take steps to ensure project managers understand how their projects fit with other relevant projects in the organization? |
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19. Does the organization take steps to ensure project managers understand how their projects fit with the organization's overall strategic objectives and operations? |
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3.3 Project Management Standards (20 Questions)
Question | Clarifications | Rating |
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20. Does the organization have one or more project management offices to support excellence in project management? |
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21. Does the organization have a project management framework with established standards for approvals, phases, gates, off-ramps, and associated deliverables and reviews? |
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22. To what extent do projects fully apply the project management framework? |
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23. Does the organization have a common set of processes to consistently manage and integrate multiple related projects? |
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24. Does the organization, or a sector of the organization, have standard processes for project planning and identification (e.g. business case analysis and project charter development)? |
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25. To what extent does the organization comply with standard processes for project planning and identification (e.g. review of approved business case and project charter development)? |
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26. How many of the following standards for project definition processes does the organization apply?
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27. To what extent does the organization comply with the following standards for project definition processes?
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28. How many of the following standards for project implementation does the organization apply?
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29. To what extent does the organization comply with the following standards for project implementation?
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30. How many of the following standards for the project close-out processes does the organization apply?
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31. To what extent does the organization comply with the following standards for project close-out processes?
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32. To what extent are project management processes applied to all projects in a tailored and effective manner commensurate with their risk, complexity, cost, and value? |
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33. Are the organization's project management processes, for planning and identification, definition, implementation and close-out, measured for effectiveness regularly (often enough to support other management processes such as continuous improvement initiatives)? |
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34. Are project management processes analyzed and updated regularly? |
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35. To what extent does your organization understand and use integrated Project Management and Information Systems (PMIS) to manage a portfolio of projects in your organization? Note: MS Project is not a PMIS. |
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36. Does the organization have a standard scope and structure defined for the functions of a project management office to support each project (scaled to the size of the project)? |
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37. Are lessons learned from past projects used to improve the project management framework and processes? |
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38. Does the organization retain the cost and schedule estimates of past projects for process improvement, future project definition work, or both? |
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39. Does the organization have a standard approach to the definition, collection, and analysis of project metrics? |
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3.4 Project Integration Management (21 Questions)
Question | Clarifications | Rating |
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40. To what extent are projects approved by a central or organizational level governance structure? |
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41. To what extent are project governance reporting relationships and accountabilities clearly documented? |
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42. To what extent are projects supported by an approved business case which includes an analysis of options and expected outcomes as part of the project planning and identification phase? |
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43. To what extent is a project charter approved prior to undertaking detailed project definition work? |
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44. To what extent do projects have project managers? |
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45. To what extent do project managers within the organization have authority to execute all objectives and outputs of the project? |
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46. To what extent do projects have an assigned project sponsor or an executive-level steering committee that is active throughout the project's life cycle authorizing major project changes (changes in objectives or outputs) and assessing the ongoing value of the project? |
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47. To what extent are the roles and responsibilities of project teams documented and communicated to the project team members? |
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48. To what extent are lessons learned from past projects (successful and unsuccessful) reviewed and considered when undertaking the project planning and identification phase of new projects? |
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49. To what extent is a project management plan documented and approved prior to undertaking the project definition phase? |
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50. To what extent do the project management plans clearly identify the scope, cost, schedule, risks, deliverables, team, and project controls required to deliver the project? |
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51. To what extent are the project management plans approved by the project authority before starting project implementation? |
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52. To what extent are project management plans endorsed by project work package leads before starting project implementation? |
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53. To what extent is the progress of projects measured against project baselines in project management plans? |
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54. To what extent is corrective action (e.g. changes to schedule, team, or approach) taken based on progress relative to the project management plan? |
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55. To what extent do projects have documentation that clearly defines the authorities that enable a manager to approve changes to scope, cost, and schedule in a timely manner? |
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56. To what extent is the management of project change (time, scope, and cost) practiced to ensure integrity of project deliverables as rework and changes occur? |
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57. To what extent are the objectives, expected outcomes, and success criteria as defined in the project's business case and/or project charter reviewed at each project close-out? |
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58. To what extent are lessons learned captured and documented throughout the project and then analyzed and communicated at project close-out? |
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59. To what extent is a transition plan (a management plan encompassing all activities related to managing the business change successfully) prepared and executed to ensure smooth handover and sustainability at project close-out (e.g. post-project life cycle support, reassignment of project resources, transition of project office functions to an operational model, sign-off of product or deliverables, or formal acceptance process)? |
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60. To what extent are project close-out checklists employed? |
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3.5 Project Scope Management (4 Questions)
Question | Clarifications | Rating |
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61. To what extent is a project work breakdown structure prepared which clearly defines all required work packages? |
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62. To what extent are work packages within the work breakdown structure assigned a single accountable lead? |
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63. To what extent is the work breakdown structure at a level such that a single work package does not exceed 10 per cent of the cost or duration of the project? |
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64. To what extent are the business requirements baselined and formally approved by stakeholders prior to project implementation? |
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3.6 Project Time Management (5 Questions)
Question | Clarifications | Rating |
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65. To what extent is a project schedule, such as a GANTT chart or project evaluation and review technique (PERT) chart, prepared? |
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66. To what extent do schedules align with the approved work breakdown structure for projects? |
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67. To what extent is the project schedule dependency-driven? |
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68. To what extent are project schedules approved and baselined during the project definition phase, including the proposed frequency of progress updates? |
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69. To what extent is progress against the baseline project schedule captured and analyzed to assess performance, risks, and needed corrective action as frequently as required? |
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3.7 Project Cost Management (7 Questions)
Question | Clarifications | Rating |
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70. To what extent is the cost of each work package estimated and documented? |
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71. To what extent is bottom-up project costing conducted at the work package level? |
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72. To what extent is bottom-up project costing conducted based on historical estimates, industry standards or benchmarks, industry best practices, or organization-specific detailed project cost models? |
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73. To what extent are cost estimates approved and baselined during the project definition phase? |
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74. To what extent are the mechanisms, processes, and information systems for tracking project costs fully defined and set up during the project definition phase using a Project Management Information System (PMIS) to enable project performance analysis? |
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75. To what extent are cost code structures and processes for tracking project costs aligned with corporate financial systems? |
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76. To what extent are project costs captured (through a financial system or a PMIS) and analyzed as frequently as required throughout the implementation of a project to determine if corrective action is needed? |
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3.8 Project Risk Management (4 Questions)
Question | Clarifications | Rating |
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77. To what extent is a formal risk assessment conducted using organization approved tools, templates, and processes during the definition phase of projects? |
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78. To what extent are risks mitigated during the definition phase and residual risk (the risk that is present after mitigation strategies have been applied) integrated into the project schedule and estimated cost? |
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79. To what extent do projects integrate risk management practices during project implementation on an ongoing basis in order to assess the potential effects of risk and take appropriate mitigating action? |
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80. To what extent are risks continuously communicated to key stakeholders during a project's life cycle? |
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3.9 Project Quality Management (2 Questions)
Question | Clarifications | Rating |
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81. To what extent are the relevant quality standards, designed to address both the management of the project itself and the outputs of the project, documented and metrics (performance indicators) established during the project definition phase? |
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82. To what extent is quality assurance undertaken to ensure that deliverables meet standards and expectations? |
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3.10 Project Procurement Management (4 Questions)
Question | Clarifications | Rating |
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83. To what extent are the authorities, process, team, and timing for acquisition and procurement defined and documented during the project definition phase for projects that require procurement? |
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84. For projects that require procurement, to what extent are the aspects of procurement within the organization's control monitored to ensure they are delivered according to the project baseline plan (schedule and cost) during the project implementation phase? |
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85. For projects that require procurement, to what extent are major contracted deliverables directed, monitored, and regularly assessed to ensure they are in accordance with the contract (e.g. through assignment and reporting against task authorizations)? |
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86. At the closure of project contracts, to what extent are processes in place to ensure that all work and deliverables were acceptable, that disagreements are resolved, and that payments are accurately made and recorded? |
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3.11 Project Human Resource Management (4 Questions)
Question | Clarifications | Rating |
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87. To what extent do project managers prepare a staffing plan and secure authorization for necessary resources (employees and consultants) before project implementation? |
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88. To what extent are staffing plans developed and executed based on required skills for the project (as opposed to available resources)? |
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89. To what extent do project managers manage and resolve project team issues and update the staffing plan as necessary? |
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90. To what extent do project managers contribute to the performance review of project human resources? |
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3.12 Project Communications Management (2 Questions)
Question | Clarifications | Rating |
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91. To what extent are processes in place to ensure that the requirements for collection, dissemination to stakeholders, and storage of project information are defined and documented? |
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92. To what extent are processes in place to ensure that stakeholders external to a project (e.g. project champion, clients, funders, and users) are kept informed of a project's performance? |
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