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Rowen Bedeau Student 2096042 (IATR). Project Management Elective. Henley Management College
Part 1 How does CEP use projects to achieve its strategic and business aims? 6-11
1.1 CEP’s Strategic Aims………………………………………………….…... 6
1.2 CEP’s Business Aims…………………………………………………….... 6
1.3 Analysis of the Organisational Structure……………………………….….. 7
1.4 Organisational Opportunity for Project Management……………………… 7
1.5 Portfolio/Programme/Project Management – link to Strategic Planning….. 8
1.6 Project Strategy Implementation at CEP……...…………………………… 10
1.7 Issues Identified……………………………………………………………. 11
1.8 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………. 11
Part 2 What are the main factors that influence project strategy?.................... 12-16
2.1 Overview…………………………………………………………………… 12
2.2 Internal Factors…………………………………………………………….. 12
2.3 External factors…………………………………………………………….. 14
2.4 Other Factors………………………………………………………………. 15
2.5 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………. 16
Part 3 How is CEP structured for managing projects? How are contracts, 17-22
alliances, and joint ventures handled?.......................................................
3.1 CEP’s appropriateness to achieve Business Objectives and Strategy……... 17
3.2 Issues within CEP………………………………………………………….. 17
3.3 Amalgamation of structures with day to day operations in CEP…………... 18
3.4 Comparisons of existing structures with best practice……………….…….. 19
3.5 Management of the Project Life Cycle……………………………..…….... 20
3.6 Identification of Procedures, Benefits and Risks……………………….….. 22
3.7 Analysis of partnering as a strategic option…………………………….….. 22
Bibliography………………………………………………………………. 29
Appendices………………………………………………………………… 30-33
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Rowen Bedeau Student 2096042 (IATR). Project Management Elective. Henley Management College
This report seeks is to assess the project management operations at CEP through an evaluation of its
strategic and business aims. The evaluation also considered internal and external influencing factors
influencing project management at the department. The organisational structure, contracts and
alliances/partnership frameworks within which projects are developed were also appraised in this
document. The concluding section of this report identifies and recommends areas for improvement
in the project management operations of CEP. The recommendations seek to shift the managing of
projects from distinct activities to that of that of a programme, incorporating a project based
organisation through implementation of programme management methodologies and portfolio
management methodologies.
The author being a Henley MBA Consultant found that in conducting this report that CEP was not
far from alignment with best practices, since learnings were adapted from previous modules and
implemented at CEP. .
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Rowen Bedeau Student 2096042 (IATR). Project Management Elective. Henley Management College
measurable because progress can be monitored. It is agreeable because of the mission and its sync
with that of the parent ministry. It is relevant because it deals with the specific nature of the
customer one of the key stakeholders. Time-bound due to the fact that the customers are incarcerated
for a specific period. The VMOST structure for the Correctional Education Programme Department
is in alignment with the VMOST of the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service and further the parent
ministry, the Ministry of National Security 2 . The VMOST is outlined in appendix I.
1
SMART- Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound
2
Mission of the Ministry of National Security is “To create an environment which ensures public safety and security through the maintenance of law
and order and the commitment of all available resources to the protection of life and property?
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Rowen Bedeau Student 2096042 (IATR). Project Management Elective. Henley Management College
Part 1- How does CEP use projects to achieve its strategic and business aims?
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Rowen Bedeau Student 2096042 (IATR). Project Management Elective. Henley Management College
It was observed that prison officers that functioned as Project Managers preferred the Strong Project
Matrix because they were given more authority to control both resources and project budget than in
either a Balanced or Weak matrix. However, involvement in the weak matrix has taught them to be
both flexible and resilient by adapting on the fly much more that working in a strong matrix.
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Rowen Bedeau Student 2096042 (IATR). Project Management Elective. Henley Management College
Linking strategy to projects is revolutionary thinking in some organizations. The concept of having
someone in the organization look at the strategic objectives with respect to ongoing projects is still new
in many organizations. Figure 1 below shows the link between strategy and projects in CEP.
Figure 1: Proposal and Projects in the context of Strategy at CEP
Source: Adapted from Portfolio of Projects by R. Buttrick in the Interactive Project Workout
Henley Management College: Managing Projects Course Material
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Rowen Bedeau Student 2096042 (IATR). Project Management Elective. Henley Management College
According to Combe and Githens (1999) they identified three general types of project portfolios
which are identified in CEP, they are as follows:
• Value-Creating: Strategic or Enterprise projects.
• Operational: Projects that make the organization more efficient and satisfy some fundamental
functional work- The development of an ICT platform which is networked and facilitates a
platform for the inmate information system that is linked to other divisions internally and
externally to other division under the Ministry of National Security.
• Compliance: "Must-do" projects required to maintain regulatory compliance- Projects here are
geared towards CEP attaining institutional accreditation.
Figure 2 below gives an indication of how projects in CEP are linked to strategy under the strategic
objective of reducing crime
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Rowen Bedeau Student 2096042 (IATR). Project Management Elective. Henley Management College
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Rowen Bedeau Student 2096042 (IATR). Project Management Elective. Henley Management College
Project Management audits conducted in CEP determined that on average that there was 75% project
success. Factors influencing the successful outcomes were in both internal and external and had to be
taken in consideration. These factors are further described in part 2 of this report.
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Rowen Bedeau Student 2096042 (IATR). Project Management Elective. Henley Management College
Part 2 What are the main factors that influence Project Strategy?
2.1 Overview
TTPS is based in an economy experiencing transformation that has both internal and external factors
that shape and influence the degree of this transformation. CEP embraces a framework that
recognizes that projects, programmes and portfolios are organised and aligned in relation to internal
and external forces. Their successes are influenced by these and are depicted by the International
Association of Project and Programme Management (IAPPM) framework below (figure 4).
Figure 4: An adaptation of IAPPM framework.
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Rowen Bedeau Student 2096042 (IATR). Project Management Elective. Henley Management College
limitation) for the operational aspect of the prison is a constant issue and so resource multiple
projects are undertaken. This collaboration forms the basis for cohesiveness that lends support
by way of resource personnel. Internal politics here is mutual as there is little that affects the
attitudes, behaviour and interactions between the team members. Rank here is not much of an
issue.
• Influence- Influences comes from a need to have the business and strategic aims met, it comes
from a general attitude of accomplishment coming from all levels (strategic to project).
2.2.2 Organisation
CEP is pursuing a new strategy that is geared towards achieving both the strategic and business
aims. This organisation is in the form of a project organisation which will remain after the successful
completion of the programme of projects. Figure 5 below shows the project organisation adapted by
CEP.
Figure 5: CEP’s Project Organisation
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Rowen Bedeau Student 2096042 (IATR). Project Management Elective. Henley Management College
• Contract personnel are now being considered to be brought in to this project organisation for the
expertise they possess.
• Strategy pursued is geared towards achieving both strategic and business aims.
2.2.3 Systems
• Planning is done by the senior management team or leadership committee in conjunction with
the Project Manager.
• Control is established by means of station and general orders that govern the Prison Service.
• Reporting structure is based on rank; usually in projects the senior officer is given the higher
positions in the project organisation (see figure 5).
• Quality in CEP is determined by standards set out in attaining both institutional and
programmatic accreditation
• Risk is rarely considered in project management though the department is in a Prison setting.
2.3 External factors
The two key external drivers influencing project strategy is identified in the PESTLE as analysed in
appendix 3 are the political and economic.
2.3.1 Political Factors - Government’s drive to reduce crime and recidivism is high on the agenda
and it is the main focus as it affects the national image. The support for initiatives conceptualized
internally (CEP) or externally (stakeholders) as shown in figure 3 and can determine if they are
implemented or not.
2.3.2 Economic Factors
CEP receives funding from two sources; they are votes and contributions to cover all costs for all
correctional activities and projects under the fiscal year. Votes are from the Prison and Contribution
from stakeholders identified. The votes are as follows; Material and Supplies, Penal Reform and
Transformation and Contract.
In other cases CEP will request sponsorship from its stakeholders identified below for project
initiation. Contributions may be monetary but regardless it is still considered a financial
contribution. This is not always guaranteed.
The stakeholders identified are; Non-Governmental Organisation, Faith-based Organisations, Other
government ministries e.g. Sports, Culture and Community Development and Private organisations.
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Rowen Bedeau Student 2096042 (IATR). Project Management Elective. Henley Management College
2.4.2 Bargaining powers of the suppliers (high) - Suppliers for CEP provide services and
equipment vital for CEP’s existence and also for carrying out strategy. The main problem
that occurs here is the timely payment for services rendered. To avoid problems, agreements
are drawn up for a 40% down payment. The government of Trinidad and Tobago only pays
for services delivered. To prevent problems CEP identifies and designates an officer that will
handle all payments by assuring that the process is speeded up and when cheques are
prepared the supplier is notified immediately.
Suppliers here are also the contracted services for individuals and organisation to provide
some type of service. The greatest need is the area of human resource development and
secondly curriculum to a lesser extent. Problems associated here is the terms of references
that are drawn up. There are instances of none existing references for some contractors
(consultants/facilitators). In other cases they are not specific and not contractual. CEP often
finds themselves in conflict with the contracted person or organisation with respect to content
and delivery of services. Terminating services rendered are very difficult as there is no basis
for performance measurement stated in the reference, if it exist.
2.4.3 Threat of substitutes (high) - Threats here are the same as a new entrant. In the area of
curriculum, packages are offered to CEP but the key issue here is quality. CEP’s business
aim is to develop a curriculum that stands up to the rigors of the Accreditation Council of
Trinidad and Tobago (ACTT) both programmatic and institutional accreditation standards.
Again like the new entrant if they go to the political source who does not have the
understandings they may achieve buy in. Problems associated with that are, the strategic aim
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Rowen Bedeau Student 2096042 (IATR). Project Management Elective. Henley Management College
will be sacrificed which is “producing a citizen, qualified and competent to aid in the
development of the nation”.
2.4.4 Bargaining powers of the customers (low) - Customers identified here are the inmates. They
don’t have much of a say in the way the projects are executed. Stakeholder consultations are
held and suggestions are solicited, inclusive of inmates. The strategy pursued is
communicated to all.
2.4.5 Internal rivalry (low) – Rivalry here are competing projects. CEP projects are prioritised and
executed according to that.
2.3 Conclusion
Based on the analysis of the internal, external and other factors that influence CEP’s project strategy,
CEP’s major issue is the supplier (consultant/facilitator) type. The drawing up of proper terms of
references, contracts that are specific ensuring that they contain performance measures.
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Rowen Bedeau Student 2096042 (IATR). Project Management Elective. Henley Management College
CEP being identified as a strong project matrix organization means that the Project Manager
maintains limited authority to oversee the cross-functional aspects of a project. The project manager
is primarily responsible for documenting the milestones and the progress of the project,
communicating regularly with the functional managers (senior officers). In this style of matrix
management, the functional managers share in the responsibility to achieve project results (business
objectives and strategy) and the project manager acts as a facilitator, rather than in a controlling
management capacity.
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Rowen Bedeau Student 2096042 (IATR). Project Management Elective. Henley Management College
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Rowen Bedeau Student 2096042 (IATR). Project Management Elective. Henley Management College
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Rowen Bedeau Student 2096042 (IATR). Project Management Elective. Henley Management College
¾ Procedure- From table 5 below, managing a business portfolio ultimately involves the whole of
CEP if the true value of the portfolio management effort itself is to be realized in the form of
valuable benefits. By the way, each of the steps listed in the table are consistent with the
sequence recommended by the Project Management Institute's Standard for Portfolio
Management. A complete portfolio management process life cycle consists of ten major
sequential phases or activities as shown and analysed for compliances in table 5.
¾ Systems- To operate effectively in such an environment, systems are needed to support activities
identified in table 5. Information systems such as Microsoft projects are not utilised. Microsoft
excel and Microsoft visio is used to produced Gantt charts and pictographs. The use of these
systems proves to be somewhat effective but they are not standardized.
o Document management- Version control is another issue in CEP. This occurs when various
amendments are made to a single document and after a period of time one is not sure which one
is the correct version.
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Rowen Bedeau Student 2096042 (IATR). Project Management Elective. Henley Management College
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Rowen Bedeau Student 2096042 (IATR). Project Management Elective. Henley Management College
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Rowen Bedeau Student 2096042 (IATR). Project Management Elective. Henley Management College
An effective business case should comprise content that aligns with the organization’s project
portfolio management framework. In particular, it should reflect those strategic dimensions
considered most important by the senior management team and clearly articulate to what extent the
programme would address and support these dimensions. This will, therefore, facilitate an objective
evaluation of the candidate programme against a range of well-defined scoring criteria.
While programme will differ vastly in terms of team size, best practices identify a number of crucial
roles that must exist at the programme leadership and management level in order to ensure proper
governance (see Figure 7). This will include Programme sponsorship, Programme management,
Change management, Risk management, Business analyst, Programme office management
The success of a programme, like a project, will depend heavily on the quality of sponsorship it
receives. The scope and scale of a programme means that sponsorship typically resides not with one
person but, rather, is distributed within a governance board or steering committee headed by an
executive sponsor. This group will provide authority on programme funding, purpose and direction.
Organisational strategy-There is mounting evidence that, while the contingencies (above) influence
optimal structure organisational, strategy has primacy because it has a mediational role. Structure
follows strategy (Chandler) as shown in figure 7 below.
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Rowen Bedeau Student 2096042 (IATR). Project Management Elective. Henley Management College
The program architecture is the road map for getting from the as-is to the to-be state. It provides an
outline of how the projects within the program will deliver the capabilities that result in the required
benefits. The program architecture should clearly:
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Rowen Bedeau Student 2096042 (IATR). Project Management Elective. Henley Management College
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Rowen Bedeau Student 2096042 (IATR). Project Management Elective. Henley Management College
out-of-scope requirements and expectations and seeking support for the organizational change and
its consequences. Effective program management demands:
Alternative execution strategy assessment involves re-shaping the detailed integrated master
schedule to consider alternative execution approaches. Here, the WBS and schedules may be
adjusted to assess a number of changes, such as:
Probabilistic forecasting and analysis provides crucially important answers to two fundamental
questions that a program manager and steering committee will have:
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Rowen Bedeau Student 2096042 (IATR). Project Management Elective. Henley Management College
Advanced schedule simulation techniques provide the answers to these questions with greater
confidence than traditional critical path method scheduling, which only provides a single program
schedule solution. Since a range of possible outcomes will always exist, these outcomes, and their
likelihood of occurring, are what probabilistic scheduling will reveal. Further, simulations provide a
wealth of valuable knowledge on the sensitivities of any milestone to schedule movements, far
beyond the level of a standard critical path analysis.
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Rowen Bedeau Student 2096042 (IATR). Project Management Elective. Henley Management College
and systematic scrutiny of the status of program interfaces must supplement traditional critical path
analysis.
Each project must take responsibility for adhering to timely forecasts of delivery and working within
the tolerances set by the program office. This is required especially for outputs supplied to other
projects, which will be affected by any slippages against plans. Indeed, scrutiny of all program
interfaces must be a vital element of the program manager’s control strategy. Any likely exceeding
of tolerances should be reported as early as possible to the program level.
• Realistic
• Clearly articulated
• Understood by all stakeholders
• Accepted and signed off as viable
• Supported by a rigorous change management process
Benefits management is best led by a dedicated change manager who should ensure that clear
pathways link outcomes to strategies, events and assumptions. The change manager should also
establish agreed-upon benefits-tracking metrics. Without an agreed-upon measurement system in
place, disagreements over the level of success of program accomplishments will endure to the
detriment of the entire initiative. It is advisable to introduce a series of regular, formalized quality
checks to validate whether program outputs are properly meeting needs and to hold regular
stakeholder reviews and satisfaction surveys.
Requirements management is ideally led by an accomplished business analyst. This critical role
must ensure that the front end of the program and any later projects are consistent with common
practices and processes for requirements elicitation and documentation. In addition, the setting of
program phase-gates will provide appropriate solution assessment and validation cycles where
conformance to requirements can be gauged in depth.
Lastly, it is essential to include benefits and requirements impact assessments in the scope change
management process in order to counter creeping commitments and maintain control.
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Rowen Bedeau Student 2096042 (IATR). Project Management Elective. Henley Management College
4.4 Redefining the CEP value Chain to achieve value for money (VFM)
Some authors (O'Reilly 1987; Koskela 2000) associate Value for Money (VFM) with meeting client
requirements. A requirement is a robust definition of what is expected: it is tangible and measurable.
A client’s lack of capability to define and manage projects has a direct impact on the value generated
(Comptroller and General 2005).
The value-chain model (Porter 1985) has been extensively utilized in other industries, to identify
how process reengineering and ICT integration could be used to gain competitive advantage.
Porter’s key concept is that to gain this advantage, CEP not only has to reduce its support activity
costs, i.e. streamline its operations using information systems, but also to maximize the production
of value in its primary activities - the driving force being the customer (inmate)/product relationship.
Besides, CEP’s value chain doesn’t exist in isolation; it is part of the Prison Services’ value system
or a set of value chains that ultimately link the source raw material to the end product.
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Rowen Bedeau Student 2096042 (IATR). Project Management Elective. Henley Management College
Bibliography
• Alfred D. Chandler, (1962), Strategy and Structure - History of the Industrial Enterprise
• Archibald, Russell D., Managing High-Technology Programmes and Projects. New York: John
Wiley & Sons, 2003.
• Bazigos MN, Burke WW. Theory orientations of organizational development (OD) practitioners.
Group and Organizational Management. 1997
• Evelyn M. Fenton and Andrew M. Pettigrew (2000), The Innovating Organization.
• Kenny, John (2003), Effective Project Management for Strategic Innovation and Change in an
Organizational Context, Project Management Journal, March 2003 Edition (pp 43 - 53)
• Murray-Webster, Ruth, Michel Thiry Managing Programmes of Projects in the Gower
Handbook of Project Management edited by Rodney J. Turner and S. J. Simister (2000) 3rd
Edition
• Project Management Institute, (2000) A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge
(PMBOK® Guide)
• Thompson Jr., Arthur A., A.J. Strickland III, (2001) Crafting and Executing Strategy: Text and
Readings, McGraw-Hill/Irwin
• Thompson Jr., Arthur A., A.J. Strickland III, (1998) Strategic Management: Concepts and
Cases, 10th Edition, McGraw-Hill
• Turner, Rodney J. (1999), The Handbook of Project-based Management, 2nd Edition, McGraw-
Hill
• Turner, Rodney J, (1996), The Project Manager as Change Agent: Leadership, Influence and
Negotiation, McGraw-Hill
• Turner, Rodney J. (1995), The Commercial Project Manager
• Verzuh, Eric, (1999), The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management, Wiley
Other Sources:
Interviews with
1. Mrs. Donna Cox- Minister of State, National Security (rehabilitation)
2. John Rougier, Commission of Prisons
3. Joseph Narsiah Senior Superintendent of Prisons (Programmes).
4. Mr. Espinoza, supervisor finance and accounts
Strategic and Operational plans of the Ministry of National Security and the Prison
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Rowen Bedeau Student 2096042 (IATR). Project Management Elective. Henley Management College
Vision CEP will be regarded as a model of outstanding Correctional Administration and as the best
value provider of efficient and humane correctional services and programmes in the
Caribbean.
Mission To function within the Judicial System, communicating effectively and accurately in assisting
in the dispensation of justice. To promote the rehabilitation of probationers, offenders,
victims and dysfunctional families through education, research and advocacy. To plan and
implement projects and programmes which would prevent or at least to minimize those at
risk of re-offending.
Objectives Increase the provision of accreditation treatment and training programmes by
50% by 2008
Increase constructive regimes by 25%
Reduce re-offending
Strategies CEP will seek to enhance its strategic position in the fight against crime ensuring the
following
1. Effective Governance, Management and Organisation-strive to be a well managed
business unit, ensuring good leadership, management and competent staff.
2. Marketing- maintain and develop strategies for retaining and attracting new customers.
3. Information Technology- the incorporation of ICT for adequate data and trend analysis
and for optimum effectiveness in the decision making process.
4. Curriculum-continue to develop approaches to deliver high quality accredited
programmes which will embrace the multiplicity of needs of its customers even after
release.
Tactics The tactics employed are carried out using the five (5) departments.
Culture- A structured syllabus of activities was developed so as to encourage participation
and from both unique populations of the Prisons; the participants and the non-participants.
Education- The tactics employed here is clearly outlined in the business model. Each
programme is geared towards quality delivery, customer satisfaction, and equal opportunity.
Life-skills: - In keeping with the department’s mission statement, the focus of this unit is on
the holistic development of the customer and they are basically two (2) areas, society life-
skills and work community life-skills.
Religion: - This aspect of the programmes ensures the spiritual approach is included and
helps to maintain control and foster a spirit of integrity. The availability of all denominations
possible is crucial in maintaining the objectives of its vision.
Sports: - Programmes offered here are geared towards fostering teamwork and tolerance.
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Rowen Bedeau Student 2096042 (IATR). Project Management Elective. Henley Management College
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Rowen Bedeau Student 2096042 (IATR). Project Management Elective. Henley Management College
Department
Influence on
Impact on
Score A*B
division
Driver of Change Opportunity Threat
A B A*B
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