Common Project Management Questions: What is the best way to build a strong corporate project manage

Michele Guttenberger, MPM

1. Define what the culture's values are. More importantly, define what those values look like in action when people practice them. If your company is just beginning, then make sure these are defined prior to engaging others in your projects. It's easier to bring people into a culture that is defined than it is to change people's behaviors once their established. If you are trying to change the culture, you need to include people at all levels of the project in this conversation. This participation helps solidify these values bringing a sense of ownership and buy in by everyone. 

2. Communicate the values to everyone - internally and externally. Include what they are, what they look like, how they will be measured and what role(s) they will play in your projects moving forward. If, these communication are prior to the company going live, make sure you embrace these commitments prominently on your webpage and other marketing materials. Use them as a criterion to assess candidates as the best fit for employment in your company. 

3. Identify pertinent data sources to collect data that gives confirmation that these values and the aspired culture have been met. As part of your data collection, ask both internal and external customers/beneficiaries to provide their feedback on the extent your company is living up to its espoused values / culture. Solicit feedback and recommendations on how your business can do a better job. Make a commitment to listen and respond to these suggestions. 

4. Build the desired company PM culture into your performance review system. If the value your company holds is "transparency," insure each employee receives feedback on how he/she is doing with specific examples of his/her work and data to support the feedback. What gets measured gets done. 

5. Build the company PM culture into every decision and every action. Let, people see your values in action, in decisions, in the manner in which people at all levels interact, and in the ways in which customers/beneficiaries are responded to. They will use these values to create the organizational PM culture you desire.