|
Learn from the Pros
Nearly 80 percent of IT organizations report they lack enterprise project
management capabilities, according to a META Group report. Although consultants
are in greater demand than ever, they need people skills to ensure an effective
working relationship with their customers. Mike Sledge, senior vice president
for civil and state, Robbins-Gioia, LLC, explained that the first step is
gaining the customer’s trust. Then, he added, “Through an educational process,
we help executives understand why it may be beneficial to change. Once they
understand, they can lead the organization to say, ‘This makes sense, and
here’s why we’re doing it.’"
PM Network, December 2003
VA Aces Business Case Exam
This article highlights the fact that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
accepted all 59 information technology (IT) business cases for the Department
of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2005. OMB requires business cases, known as
Exhibit 300s, for all major IT acquisitions. Their purpose is to identify risks
associated with each purchase and determine the degree to which agencies' IT
plans comply with the President's Management Agenda. "The VA is so successful
because they have coupled the education and certification with program
management practices and standards that the entire organization follows," said
Jennifer Stanford, Director of Professional Development at Robbins-Gioia LLC.
Federal
Computer Week, December 1, 2003
Taking Stock Two Years Later
In today’s post-September 11 environment, the federal government is backing a
multitude of domestic defense initiatives, many of which rely on information
technology. The Department of Homeland Security's Automated Commercial
Environment (ACE) was initially conceived as an import information
modernization program, but has lately gained a homeland security role. For
example, ACE includes a Web portal where shippers will disclose what they are
importing. Scott Campbell, senior communications consultant at Robbins-Gioia
LLC, said, “ACE will provide the IT platform to enable and implement the tenets
of C-TPAT (Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism).”
Federal
Computer Week, December 1, 2003
Work in Progress
Attempts at public-sector IT procurement reform, in process for more than a
decade, have offered mixed results so far. But as Joe Dawson, vice president of
business development for Robbins-Gioia, pointed out, "Program management is
starting to get its due as it is now getting involved in establishing
governance and metrics so that everything is measured and structured." He also
noted that as the OMB process is strengthened, more responsibility is placed on
agencies to have trained program managers whose work may begin well before
contract award.
Public CIO,
November 2003
Managing the contractors: Agencies and integrators learn to balance program
management duties
Government information technology implementations are growing increasingly
complex—and so is their management. The key to success is for agencies to make
their requirements clear and check the integrator's progress along the way. The
biggest mistake an agency can make is to think that program management is as
simple as writing a check and then standing back. Gene Bounds, executive vice
president and chief operating officer, Robbins-Gioia LLC, said, “"Programs slip
one day at a time. They don't slip because you get 12 months down the road and
find out they're behind by 10 months.”
Federal
Computer Week, November 10, 2003
OMB Keeps Risk on the Radar
The Office of Management and Budget requires capital asset plans, more commonly
referred to as Exhibit 300s, for all major IT acquisitions. But according to
some experts, OMB may have ventured into risk avoidance rather than risk
management. “OMB is pushing hard to make sure that agencies in their 300
reports identify and eliminate risks in their budgets,” said Glenn Dunnington,
senior program manager at Robbins-Gioia LLC. “The problem is that it is really
important to balance risk and return."
Federal Computer Week, November 3, 2003
Managing from the Get-Go
Government officials are working to build a strong management structure even
before the first pieces of the U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator
Technology system (a massive border exit/entry system) are released. Steve
Furman, vice president of business systems for Robbins-Gioia LLC said that
mapping a clear management framework gives agencies a view into every level of
their systems, so that when Congress or auditors have questions, agencies have
the answers.
Federal
Computer Week, November 3, 2003
Tools and Techniques for the Risk Manager
A number of software tools and management frameworks are available to assist
government risk management initiatives. Although software packages may be
improving, Keith Kerr, a senior consulting manager at Robbins-Gioia LLC, noted
that they have yet to catch on in government. Instead, Kerr emphasized the
value of solid risk management processes over technical tools.
Federal
Computer Week, November 3, 2003
Do Your Project Managers Measure
Government agencies are increasingly looking to hire project managers who have
a Project Management Professional certification. However, Eric Gioia, executive
vice president of Robbins-Gioia LLC, pointed out that a project manager needs
the practical experience of working with a major project to be a capable
manager. “You have to bridge the gap between the academic into the practical,”
Gioia said. “You need lessons learned; you need to be burned a couple of
times.”
Federal
Computer Week, November 3, 2003
The Art of Gauging Risk
Despite the shortage of risk management in government, most agree that new
national security concerns and growing budget deficits have underscored the
need for risk management as the way to increase the success of IT programs.
Keith Kerr, a senior consulting manager at Robbins-Gioia LLC, said, "I think we
are seeing more people with the title risk manager and usually they are set up
in the program office. However, you have to be careful how you assign risk.
Both the program manager and the functional manager in an organization have to
own risk."
Federal
Computer Week, November 3, 2003
HUD Creates Central Program Office
"HUD Creates Central Program Office," stated that the Department of Housing and
Urban Development plans to create an enterprise program management office
to manage cross-department programs, ensure quality assurance, and guide
program and project managers. Patricia Davis-Muffett, vice president of
marketing for Robbins-Gioia LLC, said that agencies must achieve a supportive
culture for the enterprise office to be successful.
Federal
Computer Week, October 13, 2003
Shoe-String PR Technology Awards
PRSourceCode and AdWeek's Technology Marketing recognized Robbins-Gioia as the
silver award winner of the Shoe-String PR Technology Awards. Robbins-Gioia was
acknowledged for success in developing a repeatable process for consulting
solution launches to build brand.
AdWeek's Technology Marketing, October 2003
RCI gets Army managed services contract
Resource Consultants Inc. has won a $202 million contract for desktop services
with the Army's Information Management Support Center. RCI's team includes
Robbins-Gioia.
Washington
Technology, October 5, 2003
The Agenda: Making the Case
This article cites Robbins-Gioia’s findings that 25 percent of organizations
have a policy requiring business cases for IT projects, but only 5 percent use
their business cases as a baseline to evaluate project results. Robbins-Gioia
is the only non-analyst organization of the sources (Aberdeen Group, Forrester
Research, and Meta Group) cited.
Projects@Work, Setpember/October 2003
The Closeout: By-the-Numbers Look at Project Trends
This cover story discusses ways in which federal agencies, including USDA, HUD,
and Customs are managing IT projects with more discipline, insight, and
cooperation as mandated by the President’s Management Agenda. As part of the
wave of management reform, OMB has implemented strict guidelines for evaluating
and funding projects in 2004. Robbins-Gioia Vice President of Marketing Tricia
Davis-Muffett said that if the business case isn’t there, agencies won’t get
approval.
Projects@Work, Setpember/October 2003
Agencies take a comprehensive approach to managing IT assets, and expect
their missions to profit
This article discusses the government's IT portfolio management philosophy. In
the government, IT is treated as a collection of assets to be monitored and
manipulated for maximum results, much like a stock or real estate
portfolio-except that the goal is to increase mission effectiveness rather than
profits. Rex Lovelady, account manager for defense agencies for Robbins-Gioia,
LLC, noted, “-- to institutionalize the process and get through that change
management takes a lot of time." Rod Turk, senior consulting manager for
Robbins-Gioia said, "You can -- put a dashboard together that allows a CIO
to see exactly where his [portfolio assets are] at any given point in time.”
Robbins-Gioia DLA customer David Falvey summed it up: “You’ve got to make it an
enterprise process, not just an IT process.”
Government Computer
News, September 22, 2003
Project Management Aids Customs' ACE
This article discusses Robbins-Gioia's role in Customs and Border Protection’s
requirement to do a better job overseeing costs, schedules, and risks in its
Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) project. Robbins-Gioia has given
structure to the work that the ACE staff and contract teams at the Homeland
Security Department are going to perform, said Charles R. Armstrong, executive
director of the bureau's Modernization Office. He added that Robbins-Gioia has
helped the bureau develop strategies for cost reduction, quality control,
leadership skills, and reaching Level 2 of the Software Acquisition Capability
Maturity Model. It is estimated that ACE will save up to $4.4 billion over its
life cycle.
Government Computer News,
September 22, 2003
Unraveling the IT Tangle
When the Department of Homeland Security was formed, it inherited 22 different
IT systems, many of which are unable to interact. The disparate databases store
names differently and also store financial and other data in distinct silos of
information. This spring, DHS announced it is reorganizing its IT
infrastructure and planning to merge these assets into an “IT portfolio.” Glenn
Dunnington, Robbins-Gioia senior program manager, said that other federal
agencies are also pursuing IT portfolio management; the goal comes from
Congress, which mandated that they make the most of their information
infrastructure.
Homeland Defense Journal, September 2003
ESI and R-G Team to Offer Project Management Curriculum; Companies Create
One Complete Solution for Two Major Government Challenges
Taken from an Robbins-Gioia news release, this item discusses the cooperation
of Robbins-Gioia and ESI, a PM training company, to help government customers
meet requirements for PM certification and score better on business cases.
Business Wire, September 3, 2003
Project Managers Need Sharp Political Skills
Eric Gioia and Andrew Anderson authored this article, which points out that
that great project managers are more than technicians; they are politicians.
Project managers in the federal government must possess the art of influence to
get projects approved, funded, and staffed, and be allotted enough time to do
the job right.
Federal Times, September 1, 2003
Management Challenged
About 1,400 federal IT projects are under OMB scrutiny, and 700 of them don’t
have qualified managers. To meet OMB requirements, a qualified project manager
must be assigned to each IT project listed in the 2005 budget. Tricia
Davis-Muffett, vice president of marketing for Robbins-Gioia, said,
"Traditionally, IT projects have had a poor track record with project
management." The article notes that Robbins-Gioia assists federal agencies
through transition periods when project managers are in short supply.
Government
Enterprise, Fall 2003
Firm Leads Course on Project Management
This coverage results from Robbins-Gioia’s press release announcing its
partnership with the USDA to provide project management training. Jennifer
Stanford, Robbins-Gioia's director of professional development, said, "Course
participants will be poised to meet Office of Management and Budget
requirements for improved project management. Good PM practices are tied to
good reporting."
Federal Times, August 18, 2003
DCI and IIL Bring World-Class Exhibition to New York During the Enterprise
Project Management Conference
DCI, a high-tech trade show producer, and International Institute for Learning,
a PM training company, announced their Showdown Panel and exhibition will be
held during the Enterprise Project Management Conference, August 26-28, in New
York City. Robbins-Gioia is participating in the panel and exhibition.
Business Wire, August 11, 2003
For Business Cases, It's the Thought that Counts
This article discusses some of the results of Robbins-Gioia's business case
survey, including the requirement for business cases in IT investments, funding
process for technology projects, and funding of the right IT projects. Carina
Veksler, senior market intelligence manager from Robbins-Gioia, pointed out
that companies that have a business case policy deliver their technology
projects on time and within budget 40 percent more often than those who don’t
and whether they follow their policy consistently or not.
Baseline
Magazine, August 2003
USDA to Train Project Managers
This article focuses on the recent announcement that Robbins-Gioia was awarded
a one-year contract to train USDA personnel in program management. In addition,
the story provides brief background into the OMB and OPM's project management
initiatives.
Federal
Computer Week, August 5, 2003
Methodology removes guesswork: A structured approach to selecting
outsourcing partners reduces risk and improves ROI
This article by Robbins-Gioia Account Executive Andrew Anderson recommends a
structured vendor selection methodology to reduce risk and ensure projects
deliver anticipated ROI. It discusses the phases of the vendor selection
process.
Communication News, August 2003
Robbins-Gioia Wins USDA Training Work
This feature focuses on the recent announcement that Robbins-Gioia was awarded
a one-year contract to train USDA personnel in program management. Jennifer
Stanford, Robbins-Gioia's director of professional development, is quoted.
Washington
Technology, August 5, 2003
Project Management Offices: Interest in Project Management on the Rise
This article discusses the growing popularity of PMOs in corporations. R-G
marketing Vice President Tricia Davis-Muffett is quoted extensively. She
explained that PM is one of the best ways to gain a hands-on approach to
accountability and financial control.
Workforce Strategies, a Bureau of National Affairs publication, July 28,
2003
Colby Africa
This article profiles Colby Africa, executive vice president, information
technology, and president, PM Boulevard.
It includes background on his career path and current responsibilities at
Robbins-Gioia. Africa discusses how executives can/should stay competitive in
the area of project management, and explains the PM Boulevard value
proposition. The author notes, "Africa says success lies in knowing what the
customer is all about. For project managers, efficiency means everything. PM
Boulevard delivers a virtual palette of immediate experts, training, materials,
and management capabilities that guide project managers."
Washington Business Journal, July, 17 2003
The Source of the Problem: A formal governance process is key to reaping
outsourcing benefits.
Half of all outsourcing efforts are failures, according to the Gartner Group.
Eric Gioia, Robbins-Gioia executive vice president, pointed out, “Too often,
clients don’t have the human resources and in-house skills to focus on managing
those relationships.” Tricia Davis-Muffett, Robbins-Gioia marketing vice
president, explained Robbins-Gioia’s outsourcing/vendor management solution:
“We apply core project management competencies--requirements definition, risk
management, cost and performance-management schemes--to this problem.”
Projects@work, July/August 2003
Lessons Learned: Who would you rather work with--the government or the
private sector?
Tricia Davis-Muffett, Robbins-Gioia marketing vice president, is featured in
this column, saying, “At this point, I think we prefer the government, though
the give and take between the two sectors is what keeps us healthy.” Her photo
is included.
Washington Business Journal, July 11-17 2003
At the crux of collaborative projects: joint business cases
The Office of Management and Budget has raised expectations for agencies to
deliver joint business cases for the fiscal 2005 budget request. Robbins-Gioia
Business Case Product Manager Keith Kerr said that relating the business case
to each agency’s strategic plan is the place to start -- but even so, agencies
may struggle with developing joint business cases. “Agencies don’t have a
history of going through all these thought processes together,” he said. “It
takes a lot of hard planning.”
Government
Computer News, July 7, 2003
The 2003 M Awards
The summer 2003 issue of the American Marketing Association's quarterly journal
recognized Robbins-Gioia as the chapter's Marketer of the Year and winner
in the Professional Services Category. The article notes that Robbins-Gioia's
marketing, operations, and training departments led a cross-functional team in
organizing the company's undifferentiated PM offering into market-focused
solutions. The campaign is achieving its goals of creating a more informed
sales force and increasing the company's thought leadership position through
press and analyst relations. The sales pipeline is up 60 percent and media hits
34 percent from the same time last year. The Marketer of the Year award was
based on the company's highest scores in the areas of effectiveness,
creativity, and ROI.
Insight, Summer 2003
Agencies Seek Business Case Help
This article examines the increasing need in the federal market for business
case help and discusses the business case work that Robbins-Gioia is doing with
Customs. Charlie Armstrong, executive director of the Customs and Border
Protection Modernization Office and Robbins-Gioia customer, said it becomes
easier to build business cases after the first iteration because the processes
are in place. Patricia Davis-Muffett, vice president, marketing, Robbins-Gioia,
said Robbins-Gioia's business case solution was developed in response to
customer requests.
Federal Computer Week, June 30, 2003
Robbins-Gioia Analyzes Business Processes
This article was developed in response to the business case analysis solution
launch. It notes that Robbins-Gioia launched a new package to help government
and commercial customers measure and improve business processes.
Robbins-Gioia's vice president of marketing, Patricia Davis-Muffett, said that
many Robbins-Gioia customers had been asking for help to integrate their
business cases into their project management strategies. Customer Charlie
Armstrong, executive director for the Customs Border Protection Modernization
Office, said his agency went to Robbins-Gioia "to assist us in doing a lot of
the planning, the overall program management, some of the contract management
components and what we call human capital planning."
CRN.com
, June 20, 2003 (Computer Reseller News)
Robbins-Gioia Appoints Catherine Yandel as Senior Vice President Of
Corporate Development
This article was pulled from an R-G press release. In her new position, Yandel
is responsible for strategic planning, solutions and methodologies, training,
and IT. Jim Leto, chief executive officer, Robbins-Gioia, said, "She is
definitely the right person for the job. Her outstanding leadership skills and
ability to manage high-growth environments is right on track for
Robbins-Gioia."
Business Wire, June 16, 2003
In the Winners Circle
This news item reports on The American Marketing Association's D.C. Chapter
first annual M Awards winners. Area marketers were honored last month. Top
marketers for 2003 included O'Keeffe & Co. for high-tech and Robbins-Gioia
for professional services. Robbins-Gioia, with headquarters in Alexandria, also
received the Marketer of the Year award.
The Washington Times, June 16, 2003
Give and Take
Federal agencies are outsourcing IT work at an ever-increasing rate, but
they’re adding their own technology jobs at the same time. The reason for this,
according to this article, is that the White House is prodding federal agencies
by to rev up their e-government programs. Robbins-Gioia executives question
whether a training program can really equip federal managers to manage the
government’s most complex programs. Jim Leto, Robbins-Gioia CEO, suggests that
agencies consider outsourcing program management support in a separate contract
from the main outsourcing program.
Government Executive, June 15, 2003
Tips from the Trenches
This article examines issues and topics to consider both before and after
signing an outsourcing contract. It notes that CIOs must look carefully into
vendors' viability and financial stability before and after a contract is
signed. Robbins-Gioia CEO, Jim Leto, said, "If everyone ... knows what the
expectations will be .. that's more than half the battle."
CIO, June 15, 2003
Get A Grip
This outsourcing overview provides practical advice on how to make sense of
outsourcing opportunities. It discusses the importance of matching
organizational needs with solutions and outlines the pain points outsourcing
addresses and the benefits that can be realized. This article discusses
Robbins-Gioia's work with Verizon Federal.
CIO, June 15, 2003
Outsourcing Strategies: What, When, and Where?
This outsourcing strategy piece offers advice on determining what and when to
outsource and how to avoid common pitfalls associated with piecemeal
outsourcing. Project management is discussed, and Robbins-Gioia's work with one
of the largest global telecommunications providers is referenced.
CIO, June 15, 2003
A Progress Report On Amex-IBM; Company Seen Among The Early Adopters Of
Vendor Management
This article discusses American Express Co.'s successful outsourcing deal
with IBM Global Services. Before signing the $4 billion, 7-year deal,
American Express spent a year analyzing its technology operations, negotiating
with IBM, and drawing up a contract. Now, a year into the relationship, Amex
says that all that groundwork is paying off. An element of effective vendor
management is an ability to gauge the vendor's performance using solid baseline
statistics. Patricia Davis-Muffett, vice president of marketing at
Robbins-Gioia LLC, is quoted as saying, "Often, the client company does not
spend enough time defining what it wants to accomplish and its current state in
terms of what it's spending, so the metrics for success for the vendor are
hazy."
The American Banker, June 5, 2003
The Closeout: By-the-Numbers Look at Project Trends
This coverage was generated from Robbins-Gioia's EPMO survey results. It notes
that while 30 percent of organizations with an EPMO say that they manage
projects "very well," only 14 percent of organizations without an EMPO make the
same claim.
Projects@work, May/June 2003
Robbins-Gioia Launches Business Case Analysis Solution
The article notes that the BCA offering helps organizations implement a
consistent process for conducting investment analyses and links that process to
existing project management practices and data. Robbins-Gioia developed the
solution in response to client requests, especially those regarding OMB's
Budget Exhibit 300 submissions. In a related survey, Robbins-Gioia found that
just 25 percent of respondents have a policy requiring business cases for IT
and follow that process.
BusinessWire, May 27, 2003
Vendor Tailors Template For Creating Business Cases
This article discusses the Business Case Solution launch. The article provides
an overview of the Robbins-Gioia solution and mentions the enhanced ProSight
offering. Patricia Davis-Muffett, vice president of marketing, Robbins-Gioia,
noted that preliminary project management "saves lots of time and makes the
business case much more powerful and likely to get approval. But it must show
real data-how long the project will last, the cost, the return on investment,
when ROI will be realized, potential risks and risk mitigation."
Government Computer News, May 27, 2003
Robbins-Gioia Earns Marketer of the Year Award
These articles were pulled from a Robbins-Gioia issued press release announcing
the receipt of two American Marketing Association, D.C. Chapter (AMA-DC)
awards. Robbins-Gioia's marketing, creative, solutions, and training teams were
recognized for excellence in marketing strategy, innovation, risk-taking,
leadership, and return on investment. The AMA's DC Chapter presented
Robbins-Gioia with the Professional Services award and Marketer of the Year.
Jim Leto, CEO, Robbins-Gioia is quoted in these releases.
CBS Marketwatch, May 21, 2003
Lessons From The Field
This article examines the OMB mandates for improving project management across
the federal government. The article suggests that federal agencies can learn
from the work state and local governments have been doing over the last several
years. Gene Bounds, executive vice president of operations for Robbins-Gioia,
discusses the importance of first establishing organizational processes.
Federal Computer Week, May 19, 2003
In the Know
This article focuses on the need for knowledge management. The author discusses
how knowledge management can boost project effectiveness, how technology can
access hard to find and tacit data, and where to begin when setting up a
knowledge management structure. In this article, A. Andrew Anderson,
Robbins-Gioia, offers four steps for successfully planning a knowledge
management system.
PM Network, May 2003
Keeping IT Running
This article reviews business continuity planning since 9/11. The writer notes
that there has been a lot of talk surrounding BCP, but how much action? Gene
Bounds, executive vice president, operations, for Robbins-Gioia, is quoted as
saying "executives are 'revisiting and re-evaluating their readiness level.'
Although business leaders realized the 'organizational benefits of disaster
recovery (DR) plans' before and immediately after 9/11, they now view them as
absolutely critical in view of the increasing threat of terrorist attacks and
the geopolitical state of the world."
SC Magazine,
April, 2003
Preparing for the Worst: A Best Practices Guide to Disaster Recovery
Planning
While many organizations recognized the benefits of disaster recovery plans
before September 11, the criticality of these plans is even more pressing.
Organizations are also realizing that not only must a disaster recovery plan be
detailed enough to provide for all possible disasters, it must be simple enough
to actually use. This article, by Gene Bounds, Robbins-Gioia's executive vice
president of operations, describes the elements that should be included in a
business continuity plan.
Contigency Planning & Management, April 2003
Robbins-Gioia Launches New Service
This article discusses the work Robbins-Gioia is doing with the Customs Office.
Robbins-Gioia was hired to serve as an independent consultant to oversee IBM
and provide program management support. The article quotes Jim Leto, CEO of
Robbins-Gioia, and Patricia Davis-Muffett, Vice President of Marketing.
Washington Technology, April 7, 2003
Software Improves Maintenance Costs
This article focuses on the Anniston Army Depot and the increased demands in
workload due to war efforts. Additionally, the article credits Robbins-Gioia
for keeping the depot on-track. Robbins-Gioia's Director of Operations, David
Sparrow notes that Robbins-Gioia has increased its analysis work to help the
depot plan for war-related requirements. Sparrow is quoted as saying, "We are
trying to incorporate this analysis in our monthly routine, so should this
[conflict] continue or come again, we are already prepared for it."
Washington Technology, April 3, 2003
Today's Project Manager
This article examines the project management industry and specifically, the
role of the project manager. Developed in a panel format, this article includes
discussions from industry professionals about the state of today's project
managers and their world. Jennifer Stanford, director of professional
development, Robbins-Gioia is one of five panel members.
PM Network, April 1, 2003
MS Project 2003 Pre-Implementation Scorecard
This article, by Robbins-Gioia’s Darren Jerome, points out that a
pre-implementation assessment of organizational requirements and
readiness/constraints will provide a more comprehensive means of determining
what specific MSP 2002 capabilities are suited to your organization, and when
and whether you should implement them.
The Project Network, March 2003
Greater Dayton IT Alliance's Outgoing Chief Gives Credit
This article discusses Rick Kitchen’s move from the Greater Dayton IT Alliance
to join Robbins-Gioia as vice president of business development, Dayton
operations.
Dayton Daily News, March 25, 2003
Tool can help build outsourcing plan
This article discusses the launch of Robbins-Gioia's outsourcing/vendor
management solution, noting that “the benefits of such a solution include
earlier issue identification and resolution because the project management
office is motivated by resolving issues, accountability directly to the end
user rather than to a third party, and an objective opinion about vendors’
performance levels." Patricia Davis-Muffett, vice president of marketing for
Robbins-Gioia is quoted in this article.
ADTmag.com,
March 24, 2003
Robbins-Gioia Addresses Outsourcing Marketplace; Program Management
Consulting Firm Releases New Outsourcing and Vendor Management Solution
This article discusses Robbins-Gioia’s launch of a new packaged offering for
outsourcing/vendor management. It explains that the Robbins-Gioia solution is
comprised of a suite of tools, processes, and expertise that apply program
management to outsourcing arrangements. Eric Gioia, executive vice president
for Robbins-Gioia, noted, “Too often, clients don’t have the human resources
and in-house skills to really focus on managing those relationships, and when
you don’t manage your outsourcer, you never reap the benefits you sought in the
first place.”
CBS Marketwatch, March 24, 2003
Firm offers agencies outsourcing help
This brief provides an overview of the vendor management solution, noting that
the solution "includes tools, processes and expertise to help agencies select
vendors, create appropriate management structures, set performance measures,
and manage projects and vendors." The article quotes Robbins-Gioia’s Jim Leto,
CEO and Patricia Davis-Muffett, vice president of marketing.
Federal Computer Week, March 24, 2003
Firm Offers Project Management To Help Agencies With Vendors
This article discusses the launch of Robbins-Gioia's outsourcing/vendor
management solution. It notes that the solution will "help agencies apply
project management principles to selecting vendors, overseeing them, and
creating performance measures." Jim Leto, CEO of Robbins-Gioia, said, "The need
for outsourcing management is an emerging trend among civilian agencies. The
Defense Department already has independent program management offices."
Federal Times, March 24, 2003
Col. Jacob N. Haynes
This article was included in a Fed 100 wrap-up, which profiles each 2003
winner. Avon James, president of Robbins-Gioia, said, "He started with one hell
of a handicap. SPS is supposed to supplant the services that people were
already using and familiar with. When that happens, people will do anything
they can to sabotage it."
FCW.com,
March 24, 2003
Customs Takes Careful Steps To Expand IT Project
This article discusses how Customs is lowering the risk of failure for its $1.5
billion modernization project. Jim Wallin, site director for Robbins-Gioia
noted, "It is taking Customs longer to get it done than other organizations
because it doesn't usually do large acquisitions like ACE. It didn't have an
acquisition heritage to draw from." He added, "The project is designed to be
completed in increments rather than a big-bang, do it all at once approach. It
is being built to be flexible and scalable."
Federal Times, March 24, 2003
Robbins-Gioia Launches Vendor Management Service
This article provides an in-depth overview of Robbins-Gioia's
outsourcing/vendor management solution. It notes that managing relations with
outside vendors has become a critical task for many companies, and some are
turning to third parties for help. Patricia Davis-Muffett, vice president of
marketing for Robbins-Gioia, said, "Usually the people who are accountable for
[vendor management] are extremely busy....They may be the C-level person or
just below and they don't have the wherewithal to dig into it."
Internet World, March 24, 2003
Robbins-Gioia Launches Program Management Service
This article discusses the launch of Robbins-Gioia's
outsourcing/vendor management solution, and highlights the work underway at
Customs. Jim Leto, CEO of Robbins-Gioia, said, "How often does a major project
come around? The CIO organization isn't staffed to manage that kind of an
implementation. There is not a hit team of program managers walking around in
the government going from major project to major project." Additionally,
Patricia Davis-Muffett, vice president of marketing for Robbins-Gioia, noted,
"The value that a company such as Robbins-Gioia brings comes from its experts
who have done this over and over again, on very high-risk, high-dollar
endeavors."
Washington Technology, March 24, 2003
Kitchen Departing IT Alliance
This article discusses Rick Kitchen’s move from the Greater Dayton IT Alliance
to join Robbins-Gioia as vice president of business development, Dayton
operations.
Businees News of Dayton, March 7, 2003
Robbins-Gioia Appoints Rob Bongiovi Head of Air Force Operations
This article announces the appointment of Maj. Gen. Robert Bongiovi (USAD,
Ret.) as Robbins-Gioia’s senior vice president and general manager of Air Force
operations. Gene Bounds, executive vice president of operations for
Robbins-Gioia notes, “We are tremendously honored to have someone of Rob’s
reputation and capabilities on board and are eager for him to jump in.”
CBS Marketwatch, March 5, 2003
E-Business Boom
This article examines the e-Business trend, noting that project managers will
have to function more as change agents, focusing on an increasingly complex
customer and supplier relationship. Today's e-Business requires shorter time
frames, tighter budgets, and the ability to operate with more ambiguity. John
Long, Robbins-Gioia, discussed the need for security and VBA customer, Frank
Kush, discussed the many layers of e-Business.
PM Network, March 2003
Enterprising Ideas: PMOs Boost Organizational Efficiency
This article discusses the results of an enterprise program management office
(EPMO) survey conducted by Robbins-Gioia. The survey was designed to determine
the impact of EPMOs and program management offices (PMOs) on the businesses
they serve. Patricia Davis-Muffett, vice president of marketing for
Robbins-Gioia, said, “Because of tightening markets and recent national
tragedies, these new priorities have emerged. EPMOs provide the view
organizations need to navigate risk, control spending, and instill stakeholder
confidence.”
PM Network, March 2003
A Guide to ERP Success
This article, authored by Ron Axam and Daren Jerome of Robbins-Gioia, focuses
on the challenges and issues that organizations face when implementing an ERP
infrastructure. It examines barriers to success, common mistakes, and the
benefits that can be gained from leveraging an enterprise program management
office (EPMO). This article summarizes the roles and core functions of an EPMO.
EAI Journal, February 2003
Jim Leto Appointment
This brief discusses Jim Leto’s appointment to chief executive officer,
Robbins-Gioia. It notes that John Gioia will continue as chairman of the board
and Avon James as president.
SIGNAL, February 2003
Making it Work: Good Project Management Can Help the Bottom Line
This article discusses the importance of project management for biotechnology
companies. Darren Jerome, head of operations for Robbins-Gioia’s Ottawa office,
is quoted extensively throughout the article. “Project management is the glue
that integrates various elements into a common team,” he said.
Biotechnology Focus, February 2003
Federal Contractor Arms Itself with New CEO, Scouts Workers
Robbins-Gioia CEO Jim Leto's mission is simple: "I grow things," he says.
Brought in to help the company compete in an increasingly crowded marketplace,
Leto's goal is to reach $100 million in annual revenue. Analysts agree that
Robbins-Gioia is well positioned in terms of program management capabilities
and experience."
Washington Business Journal, February 28, 2003
OMB Puts Agencies on Notice
The OMB notes that this $21 billion risk is a result of business plans that do
not clearly lay out objectives and performance goals. "There are some champions
who are really grasping the benefits [of business cases and project
management], and like any change management process, there are some lagging
behind," said Robbins-Gioia VP Laura Nash. "But there are enough seeing the
benefits to really drive this forward."
Federal Computer Week, February 10, 2003
Robbins-Gioia Helps UATP Soar to New Heights
This article announces a three-month, $150,000 contract with Universal Air
Travel Plan (UATP). Robbins-Gioia will help UATP develop business plans for
nearly 20 key initiatives identified by the UATP board as priorities. This
release quotes Kent French, managing director of Robbins-Gioia’s Eastern
commercial business unit.
CBS Marketwatch, January 27, 2003
Who's On First
This brief discusses Jim Leto’s appointment to chief executive officer,
Robbins-Gioia. It notes that Jim Leto was formally with PRC and AT&T and
that John Gioia will continue as chairman of the board.
Washington Technology, January 22, 2003
Architecting Safety
This article is a byline contribution from A. Andrew Anderson, vice president,
Robbins-Gioia, and discusses the challenges states face in meeting the demands
of the Department of Homeland Security, as well as the benefits that a PMO
infrastructure can provide. Key components that should be included in the PMO,
such as portfolio management and vendor management, are discussed.
Homeland Defense Journal, January 22, 2003
Robbins-Gioia Re-Kindles Program Management
This article discusses Robbins-Gioia's EPMO solution announcement. It includes
background information on EPMOs and notes the three levels of the solution
offering. The first is an assessment of an existing EPMO or of
organization-wide practices; the second is implementing an EPMO in a small to
mid-size organization; and the third is creating a full EPMO organization for
larger organizations to tie together the program management office
infrastructure. The article includes quotes from Patricia Davis-Muffett and
Laura Nash, Robbins-Gioia, as well as positive feedback from industry analyst,
Anna Danilenko, IDC.
Federal Computer Week, January 13, 2003
Robbins-Gioia Expands Work at Army Depot
This article was pulled from a Robbins-Gioia issued press release discussing an
expansion of services with the Corpus Christi Aviation Depot, Texas.
Robbins-Gioia will be expanding its program management services under a
$184,000 minimum contract. Robbins-Gioia originally joined the Depot in 1993 to
implement the Programmed Depot Maintenance Scheduling System. Sal Reza,
Robbins-Gioia operations manager is quoted as saying, “Their legacy systems
reporting is augmented by personal spreadsheets, databases and logbooks.” The
firm intends to eventually “fuse information from several production systems
into a single cohesive enterprise scheduling and reporting application.”
Federal Times, January 13, 2003
Robbins-Gioia Supports NYPD Technology Modernization Efforts, NYPD
Recognizes Robbins-Gioia Support
This article was pulled from a Robbins-Gioia issued press release announcing
its pro-bono work with the NYPD. Robbins-Gioia is assisting the NYPD by
providing free technology assessment, and providing program management support
to the new Computer-Aided Dispatch emergency dispatch system. Andrew Anderson
is quoted in the release, saying, “We (Robbins-Gioia) were able to provide best
practices related to screening candidates for this important role.”
Additionally, he said, “Too often, decisions are based on personalities and
politics. The NYPD committed to this initiative, recognized the importance of
creating an objective, structured process.”
CBS Marketwatch, January 13, 2003
Robbins-Gioia Refines PDMSS on Helicopters
This article was pulled from a Robbins-Gioia issued press release discussing an
expansion of services with the Corpus Christi Aviation Depot, Texas.
Robbins-Gioia will be expanding its program management services under a
$184,000 minimum contract. Robbins-Gioia originally joined the Depot in 1993 to
implement the Programmed Depot Maintenance Scheduling System. Sal Reza,
Robbins-Gioia operations manager is quoted as saying, “Their legacy systems
reporting is augmented by personal spreadsheets, databases and logbooks.”The
firm intends to eventually “fuse information from several production systems
into a single cohesive enterprise scheduling and reporting application.”
Inlumen NewsAlert.com, January 6, 2003
Careers in Gear
This article profiles several up and coming consultants, including Susan Bopp,
Robbins-Gioia’s director of DOD northeast operations. In this profile, Susan
Bopp discusses her current responsibilities, including an implementation of
Microsoft Project 2002; her past experiences; and her thoughts on the future.
Patricia Davis-Muffett, Vice President of Marketing, was also quoted in this
article as saying, “We have an informal system of subject-matter experts who
work horizontally across business units. Susan is definitely entering that
category of being a major subject-matter expert in this solution. So as our
business model evolves…that may mean a more prominent position in the company.”
Consulting, January 2003
|
|
| |
 |
|
