|
Chart A PMO Vision
This article by Don Page, R-G operations director of Customs and Border Protection/Immigration and Customs Enforcement, focuses on the importance of articulating a complete vision for a PMO and provides a list of six elements that should be defined in its charter.
Projects@Work, December 18, 2007
Amtower Off Center
In this radio program, Mark Amtower and guest Emory Miller of Robbins-Gioia discuss program management and its various applications in the federal market.
Federal News Radio, December 14, 2007
Aligning IT to the Strategic Plan: Why It’s Permanently Number One on Your To-Do List
This article, the second in a series by Cheryl Strait, principal consulting manager at Robbins-Gioia, provides steps that organizations can follow to ensure they are ready for an e-discovery.
Align Journal, December 12, 2007
Leading by Example
This article focuses on the importance of mentoring and training in the workplace, featuring insights from Robbins-Gioia’s Jennifer Stanford, director of the workforce performance group, and Paula Pierce, principal consulting manager, strategic human capital management.
Consulting Magazine, December 5, 2007
Are You Ready to Advance Your Organization’s e-Discovery Capabilities?
This article, the second in a series by Cheryl Strait, principal consulting manager at Robbins-Gioia, provides steps that organizations can follow to ensure they are ready for an e-discovery.
PM World Today, December 5, 2007
Flexibility Takes Over From Plans in an Agile World
This article discusses the applications of agile in developing business strategy and software. While agile is effective in cutting through red tape, Michael Homendy, software engineer at Robbins-Gioia, pointed out that it is not for every project.
Financial Times, November 21, 2007
Past Due
In his byline on leaders in U.S. history, Robbins-Gioia Senior Consulting Manager Keith Kerr uncovers guiding principles that can be applied to modern business management: preparation, perseverance, a common framework, leadership with action, and the readiness to seize opportunities, wherever and whenever they may arise.
Projects@Work, November 19, 2007
The 'just do it' program manager
This article focuses on the rising stature of program managers in government. A quote from Emory Miller, senior vice president of government affairs at Robbins-Gioia, concludes the article. “You can think of government as whole bunch [of] programs,” he said. “Program managers have responsibility for delivering those programs to citizens and businesses and for being the stewards of the government’s resources and capabilities. That’s a high calling.”
Federal Computer Week, November 5, 2007
ERP Implementation Failures and the Philosopher’s Stone
This article focuses on failures in ERP implementation, and looks at how they can be addressed and prevented. The author, Ipshita Basu Guha, references the results of a Robbins-Gioia survey. She writes, “Most commonly the failure can be attributed to human aspects. A Robbins-Gioia (provider of management consulting services located in Alexandria – Virginia) Survey stated that 51 percent “viewed” that their ERP implementation as unsuccessful.”
Express Computer, November 5, 2007
Are Your Project Files Ready for an e-Discovery?
This article by Robbins-Gioia’s Cheryl Strait focuses on e-discovery and the steps that organizations can take to prepare for it. “Identifying and collecting electronically stored business records can cost organizations a great deal of time and money,” Cheryl writes. “Not properly producing records in response to an e-discovery request can cost a company even more—millions of dollars—in fines and penalties.”
PM World Today, November 2, 2007
The Perils of Dirty Data
This article focuses on the importance of data cleansing and validation—and includes horror stories of what can go wrong. Penny Quirk, principal consulting manager for Robbins-Gioia's records and information optimization (RIO) practice area, was interviewed for the article. “Organizations making dramatic changes in technology without putting forth the necessary time and effort to manage the data reconciliation, integration, and conversions can become victims of bad data,” she said. “As data is moved from one source to another, the number of chances for it to become bad is astronomical.”
InfoWorld, October 29, 2007
Are You Ready for AJAX Risks?
This article is an excerpt from the book, Enterprise AJAX: Strategies for Building High Performance Web Applications, by David Johnson, Alexei White, and Andre Charland. The excerpt focuses on the three main risk areas of AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML)—technical, cultural, and marketing—and references the results of a survey conducted by Robbins-Gioia when discussing technical risks. The authors write that unlike other kinds of risk, technical risk can actually result in a project not being completed, adding that “Some studies have shown that 50% of enterprise software projects never go into production (Robbins-Gioia Survey, 2001).”
Computerworld, October 28, 2007
Know-Go
This article by Jim Tisch, Robbins-Gioia’s director of knowledge management solutions, focuses on virtual collaboration and management of a project and provides examples of online rules of engagement, key best practices, and support tools used to successfully deliver a real-life major enterprise knowledge system. “Businesses must embrace the Web as a platform and utilize its strengths for managing geographically dispersed project teams,” Jim writes, adding, “Remember that technology is an enabler, not a silver bullet. You need rules of engagement, strong project management methods, a disciplined team with communication skills, and support from management in place to ensure success.”
Projects@Work, October 25, 2007
Keep An Eye On ITIL
This article by Robbins-Gioia’s Lori MacDonald focuses on the Information Technology Infrastructure Library, ubiquitous in Europe and making inroads into the United States. Lori provides an overview of what ITIL is, as well as tips on how to get started using it. She notes that adopting ITIL doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing choice, adding, “Because ITIL is a series of related processes, organizations can make a decision to implement some or all of them."
Projects@Work, September 6, 2007
Managing Projects for the Government
This article (page 26) is a sidebar to the cover story “Project Management: Hire a Temporary Asset.” Kenneth McKellar, Robbins-Gioia defense division Mid-Atlantic operations director, remarked that some customers are “very specific about what they want.” He added that for other customers, “….involvement is usually minimal because most customers trust Robbins-Gioia to do the job it’s hired for.”
Material Handling Management, August 2007
10 Perspectives on EA
This article examines enterprise architecture, featuring 10 insights from 10 different industry experts. Austin Russ, chief enterprise architect at Robbins-Gioia, explained that EA is a set of analytical and management disciplines that enable an organization to understand how its assets support its mission—and how to reallocate those assets if necessary. He cautioned that EA should not be limited to IT. “Technology does not drive the business. It enables it,” he said.
Federal Computer Week, August 27, 2007
Agile Program Management: Oversight or Overkill?
This article by Darren Jerome, management consultant with Robbins-Gioia, focuses on the role of project management within the Agile methodology. “There is a role for program management in Agile, although the means are a little different,” said Jerome. “Program management is often used for IT projects, however it is even more important for Agile projects because things move quickly and can fall off the rails if they are not managed. As a result, as small problems are worked out, big ones are solved as well.”
Projects@Work, August 20, 2007
Getting the Message Out
This article examines the tension between the need to establish IT best practices—and the challenge to identify and agree upon them. Emory Miller, senior vice president of government affairs at Robbins-Gioia, remarked that although repositories of best practices are useful, they are not necessarily ideal for knowledge transfer. He added, “…when you engage a person in dialogue, you learn a lot faster. When we get too mechanized in how we organize best practices, we may not be efficient. The more collaboration we have among people of like objectives, the more efficient we are.”
Federal Computer Week, August 20, 2007
Present Your IT Budget
In this article, which ran as the cover story of the CIO – Asia print edition, a variety of experts shared their insights on how to present a successful IT budget proposal. Robbins-Gioia’s Keith Kerr pointed out that some CIOs manage their budgets as portfolios of investment opportunities to lend structure to a budget planning process, adding, “It helps you build a business case.” This article also appeared online in CIO.com (http://www.cio.com/article/104609/How_to_Present_Your_IT_Budget/2)
CIO.com, August 2007
E-Discovery
More than half of the 70 senior records management professionals surveyed at the most recent conference of the Association of Records Managers and Administrators said their e-discovery processes were ineffective or needed improvement, according to the Robbins-Gioia’s ARMA survey featured in this article. The article also provides instructions to view the full report.
Government Computer News, August 13, 2007
Move IT on Over
This article by William Dan Roberts, principal consulting manager at Robbins-Gioia, focuses on IT management, specifically providing steps to avoid pitfalls when relocating a data center. “Agencies can plan for the little things that can foil an otherwise successful move,” writes Roberts. “Good project management guiding the relocation effort will increase your chance of success.”
FedTech, August 2007
Managing the Risk of Increased Competition Among Federal Contractors
This article by Donald May, formerly of Robbins-Gioia, focuses on the risk of increased competition among federal contractors, and looks at how contractors can be successful. “The implementation of proper risk mitigation techniques helps control unknown factors and improves a contractor’s chance for success,” May writes. He adds that that with proper risk mitigation techniques, as well as an eye towards honest and ethical work, contractors can put themselves in position to succeed.”
Contract Management, August 2007
The Drive for Teleworking
This article looks at reasons why teleworking is catching on, as well as why some organizations are still reluctant to take part. Pierre Monacelli, senior vice president of project management leadership at Robbins-Gioia, pointed out that managers need to be educated about the value of telework. “It’s not just setting up somebody at home with a laptop,” he said. “Managers with strong management skills usually don’t have a problem with telework.”
Government Computer News, July 23, 2007
EVM: A Dash of Cold Water
This article looks at the Social Security Administration’s successful integration of earned value management, noting that the agency shares EV data across the board. Dennis White, Robbins-Gioia’s EVM practice area manager, remarked, “Once [an EVM] system—and system is defined as people, processes and tools—has been established and matured, the biggest benefit is going to be enhanced planning. You will know what it takes to do things. You will get better at estimating and can do more realistic scheduling. You will be able to set up performance from the front end, as opposed to measuring everything from the back end.”
Federal Computer Week, July 16, 2007
Does Your PMO Mentor?
This article focuses on developing mentoring programs within a project management office and includes the insight of two experts, including Robbins-Gioia’s Paula Pierce, practice area manager for strategic human capital management. Pierce noted that R-G is currently working with the USDA CIO in a mentoring program, adding, “At the USDA, the scores that they use to measure their business cases for IT investments have gone up substantially, they are having to do a lot less re-work, and they are getting approval for more IT projects because their business cases are better and it is all because of this program.”
Projects@Work, June 28, 2007
USDA Shows Its Project Management Chops
This article focuses on the USDA’s in-house project management training efforts to increase success rates for information technology programs. It also discusses Robbins-Gioia’s role in the training program.
Government Computer News, May 7, 2007
At Dulles, a Long-Awaited Welcome Center
This article focuses on the recent opening of a lounge at Dulles airport for traveling U.S. service members, operated by the USO of Metropolitan Washington. "A project like this doesn't just happen," said John Marselle. "It's not always an easy sale." The lounge will serve an estimated 40,000 military travelers a year.
The Washington Post, May 3, 2007
Image is Everything
This article discusses the importance of project managers developing their own personal brands as a way to connect with team members, stakeholders, and upper management. Tricia Davis-Muffett, Robbins-Gioia vice president of marketing, noted that acknowledging her team is a desirable part of her personal brand. “You will blow any brand apart with the loss of trust,” commented Bruce Anich, vice president of operations for Robbins-Gioia’s civil division. “It’s the most important element and should be at the top of your list of brand attributes.”
PM Network, May 2007
International Aid
This article discusses the different PM skills required to manage global versus domestic projects. Pierre Monacelli, senior vice president at Robbins-Gioia, warned against the temptation to micromanage. He advised, “Think of micromanagement as the flipside of empowerment—and empowerment generally delivers better results.”
PM Network, May 2007
Professional Services: Top 100 Contractors
This article is a listing of the top 100 professional services contractors in the 2006 fiscal year. Robbins-Gioia is listed at number 93.
Federal Times, April 23, 2007
Picture this: Fundraiser for the Troops
This photo shows R-G CEO and USO-Metro Board Chairman John Marselle with Miss America 2007, Lauren Nelson, and other attendees at a fundraiser on March 27 for the Washington chapter of the USO. The event raised more than $500,000 to support military service members and their families in the Washington area. Robbins-Gioia was the primary sponsor.
Washington Technology, April 23, 2007
To Define What A Mashup Is
This article focuses on examining the definition of mashups—a combination of data from different sources not initially meant to interact with one another—to see how the definition changes based on who created the data and what the data includes. Robbins-Gioia Director Of Knowledge Management Solutions And E-Business Jim Tisch discussed how this emerging technology can be applied in enterprises. In a knowledge management context, mashups can be employed to reuse information that would otherwise remain hiddent in application silos.
SD Times, April 15, 2007
Low Cost
This article by Robbins-Gioia Director of Workforce Performance Jennifer Stanford presents five ways to establish a healthy project management culture with a limited budget. “Rather than simply trying to create a PM culture, organizations should focus on creating a results culture that uses PM practices to ensure and measure the journey toward success,” she writes.
Public CIO, April 3, 2007
Deliverables
This article presents the results of various surveys, including Robbins-Gioia’s Program Management Bill of Health Survey , administered to healthcare professionals. The Robbins-Gioia healthcare survey found that the top three drivers for improving project management capabilities and/or optimizing organizational processes were (1) enhancing quality of products and services; (2) optimizing efficiency; and (3) improving productivity.
PM Network, April 2007
Get Ready to Listen
This article discusses the results of a Washington Technology survey conducted on agency officials who read Government Computer News. Darci Allen, director of proposals for Robbins-Gioia’s civil division, remarked that some agencies penalize contractors when issues develop, making it tempting for companies to hide problems. She suggested that the opposite should hold: the penalty should be for contractors who see a problem and try to keep the agency from learning of it. Lisa Pellegrin, a Robbins-Gioia communications consultant, said that both sides need to communicate expectations when beginning a contracting relationship. “Then both sides have to live up to it,” she added.
Washington Technology, April 9, 2007
7 Ways to be Collaborative
This article by Robbins-Gioia Senior Vice President Emory Miller identifies seven characteristics of collaborative program managers, demonstrating ways that they can succeed in the new business environment by networking, seeing the big picture, mentoring, knowing how to sell to and include people, mitigating stovepipes, and valuing independent PM.
Federal Computer Week, April 2, 2007
Study: Government Outpaces Private Sector on Telework
This article focuses on the difference on telework adoption between the public and private sectors. It reveals the results of a recent national telework study conducted by CDW-G and includes comments from Robbins-Gioia’s Jon Hughes and Tricia Davis-Muffett. This story was also featured in the National Journal’s Technology Daily.
Government Executive Online, March 22, 2007
In the Zone
This article focuses on how much risk an organization can handle and how to manage it. Robbins-Gioia’s Patricia Zornes commented that most companies create a risk matrix for every project in the portfolio, noting that the level of acceptable risk varies by organization. “For some organizations, a $100,000 impact might be too much. For other organizations, a $1 million potential hit might be acceptable,” she said. “It depends on the organization, and its size and characteristics.”
PM Network, March 2007
Don’t Go There
This article by Robbins-Gioia’s Jim Picard recommends using a portfolio management approach to
help organizations decide whether or not to pursue offshore projects. He notes, “Using this approach,
companies can determine if a foreign move aligns with corporate strategy and objectives, see how it
scores against other internal investment priorities, and develop a sound business case defining the
opportunity and establishing quantifiable metrics and monitoring criteria.”
Projects At Work, February 20, 2007
What’s in your toolbox?
This article focuses on the certifications, such as CMMI, ISO, and ANSI, which government contractors
must now attain to meet customer demands. “Just having the certification or book knowledge isn’t a
guarantee of performance... It’s being able to implement and practice and prove your results that are
more important,” said Jennifer Stanford, Robbins-Gioia. Robbins-Gioia’s Stephen Hawald suggested that
contractors leverage similar tasks involved in different certifications, such as the CMMI and the ISO
9001:2000. He pointed out that because both certifications are designed to help organizations manage
repeatable, well-organized, quality projects and programs, “there’s about a 95 percent overlap between
the two models.”
Washington Technology, February 12, 2007
Getting to Green: The Bounce Effect
This article provides advice for agencies on how to improve e-Gov President’s Management Agenda
scores and stay “green.” Robbins-Gioia’s Austin Russ discussed why agencies often experience volatile
scores, adding that the best strategy is to relate and leverage PMA criteria to improve performance.
FedTech, February 7, 2007
Don’t Forget the End User
This article discusses how to include all end users in an era of competing demands. Bob Woodruff from
Robbins-Gioia noted that it is important to get the most knowledgeable users involved up front—and make
sure that the user group stays consistent throughout the whole development process.
FedTech, February 7, 2007
The Bond Between Program Management and Contract Management
This article by Robbins-Gioia’s Kathey Tonnacliff focuses on the relationship between program management
and contract management. “Interestingly enough, the intertwined disciplines that are key to making programs
successful are also key to customer success,” Kathey writes. “A contracts manager who realizes that good
program management is essential for business success will also make her customer successful. Likewise, a
program manager who realizes that good contract management is the foundation for program success will also
achieve customer success.”
Contract Management, February 1, 2007
LMP Takes Another Step Toward Modernizing Army Logistics
This article discusses the success of Tobyhanna Army Depot, a primary user of the Logistics Modernization Program,
in standing up the Material Management Division as part of its larger Production Planning and Control (PPC)/Master
Planning Scheduling (MPS) initiative. The implementation centralizes the ordering of materials for the entire depot
into one organization, saving time and money. PPC Task Order Director Tony Zelinski credited team members, including
Robbins-Gioia.
Service Contractor, Winter, 2007
BPM 2.0
This article focuses on the current state of the Business Performance Management (BPM) market and includes
comments from Scott Mairs, managing director, Robbins-Gioia Financial Services Group, who discussed some of
the factors pushing BPM software into the operational mainstream of organizations. "SOX (Sarbanes-Oxley) has
required greater transparency of information and more collaboration interdepartmentally, which has helped drive
the operational adoption of BPM," Scott noted.
Business Finance, January 12, 2007
Goodbye Clerks, Hello Knowledge Workers
“Government acquisitions then were grand and complex programs; it was difficult to define requirements for them,”
said Emory, a former GSA executive and Trail Boss manager. “But we realized there were many success stories in
government about delivering against these types of programs. There was very much an understanding by everyone that
something like Trail Boss was needed.”
Federal Computer Week, January 8, 2007
The Virtues of Virtual
“Nothing can hurt a distributed project more than an issue coming up in one location where no one knows where
to take that problem,” Jon said. “So you want to start with a policy on the tools that you will use. You need
a communication plan distributed to the entire team. The plan should make clear how everyone contacts their
leadership and how to raise issues up the chain.” The people, processes, and tools paradigm that Jon offers is
highlighted in a sidebar at the end of the article.
Projects@Work, January 4, 2007
|
|
| |
 |
|
