Project/corporate governance - would anyone like to share their experience/knowledge about project and/or corporate governance?

Alison's Contribution:

I came across an interview recently which you might like to listen to.
It discusses IT initiatives during this economic downturn.
In it, the CIO describes their project governance structure and PMO processes which are driving them forward.

I recommend listening to the entire podcast from Enterprise Leadership (http://tinyurl.com/dzk8am) Accelerating IT Initiative Despite Tough Economy - Tim Shaefer, Northwestern Mutual’s CIO

This is an opportunity to learn from someone who is at the coal face. Whilst you may need to learn to walk before you can run, it provides an insight to get you on the fast track.

My perspective is that the PMO needs to provide continuity, regardless of organisation structure and investment priorities. This drives the governance. For the corporate board, I suggest you have a leader from the Board, meets once a month and has a strategic overview at least twice a year.

For your Project Governance, I suggest you have something like the following:

Project Sponsor - board member
Project Executive - Champions who are accountable for the outcome (including business owner)
Project / Programme Manager (with support from a PMO if needed)
Worksream Leaders

Key processes on which to focus to maintain the balance include

- Objectively measuring the Business Impacts and Benefits
- Requirements collection
- Estimation
- Scope, schedule, cost
- RAIDS and interdepencies between projects

Happy to stay in touch. I hope this helps you.

All the best,

Alison Murray

By the way, there are a couple of PMO groups in case you want to post this type of query to a special interest group.
Links:
http://tinyurl.com/dzk8am