Scope Management Plan (SMP)
Industry: Pharmaceuticals/Biotechnology
Services Provided: Training program design, implementation, and management; project management certification program development and curriculum mapping; course
customization (including customized case studies); training program measurement; and
training delivery.
Company: The pharmaceutical company offers a broad spectrum of proven tools and technologies,
together with performance solutions innovations,
dedicated to helping customers succeed in
the research, development, and production of
biotechnology and pharmaceutical drug therapies.
Comprising three business units—Bioscience, Lab
Solutions, and Process Solutions—the company is a
top-tier supplier to the life science industry and serves
as a strategic partner for scientists, engineers, and
researchers.
Challenge: A few years ago, the company’s Corporate PMO (CPMO) staff realized that its generic
in-house project management training was not
adequate to address the challenges faced by its staff,
a diverse group of researchers and engineers who took
on project and program management responsibilities.
The CPMO needed to get project management skills up and going quickly across the
company and standardize on a process, thus prompting the development of an internal project management certification program. It
intended that a link between company-sponsored learning and professional development would build employee loyalty and morale,
fostering improved productivity as well as better on-time project delivery.
The implementation of the program gained further complexity when the company was acquired by a global pharmaceutical, chemical,
and life science firm while the first groups of participants were still progressing through the certification levels.
PM College provides corporate project management
training and competency development programs for clients
around the world. We partner with our clients to identify
organizational learning objectives, deliver relevant training
content, and achieve measurable behavior changes that lead
to improved performance.
pmcollege.com :: 800.983.0388 :: Project Management Training :: Course Customization :: Competency Development
VALUE DELIVERED
An internal PM certification
program was rapidly
developed and implemented.
During the first three years,
over 400 participants
attended more than 30
courses. Team members,
project managers, and
sponsors gained a good
understanding of project
management and the
techniques needed to achieve
more consistent project
delivery. The program’s
ability to remain intact after
an acquisition validated the
program’s value to the larger
company globally.
$
client successes
about pm college
Pharmaceutical Company’s Internal PM Certification Program Brings More Predictable Project Outcomes
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“Projects are more predictable
thanks to the certification program
we put in place with PM College.
High feedback ratings from our
course participants on content and
instructor delivery are consistently
achieved. The PM College
instructors weave their project
management experience into the
courses adding real-world value;
people feel they can immediately
apply what they learn.”
— Program Manager
Pharmaceutical Company
pmcollege.com :: 800.983.0388 :: Project Management Training :: Course Customization :: Competency Development
client successes
Solution: The company’s CPMO first identified the business drivers and corresponding success criteria, emphasizing the execution of business strategy, retention of top talent, delivery consistency, and accelerating the pace of innovation. From there,
it sought out a training vendor who could partner with the organization to develop the competency levels of its project managers
in a structured way across the organization and in alignment with its stated success criteria. PM College was selected based
on its flexible approach to tailoring course content to the business environment. At the outset, PM College reviewed what was
already in place to incorporate elements from the existing training and best practices specific to the business environment. These
organizational assets and courses were used to round out a selection of existing PM College courses, so that the program could be
developed rapidly while still including customized elements such as case studies applicable to its work areas.
The program was rolled out with three levels that build on each other to broaden and deepen project management knowledge over
time:
:: The Foundational level is designed for new company employees or those who are beginning their experiences in project
management. Fundamental skills are the focus, including Project Management Essentials and Facilitation Skills.
:: The Applied level focuses on the managerial aspects of project management including Project Risk Management and
Project Cost and Scheduling Management.
:: The highest level, Expert, is for advanced project managers and offers classes and development opportunities in
leadership skills such as Mentoring Project Managers and Developing Positive Relationships.
PM College administered the project management knowledge assessment that is part of its proprietary talent management program
for each new applicant to the program. This assessment is used to place the applicants in the appropriate level and is also used
to verify knowledge for graduation from the Foundational level. At the end of the first year, a review of the responses was done and
questions with a higher “fail” rate were used to identify areas to add and modify training in the Foundational and Applied levels.
The company’s employees must be approved by its managers to seek certification through the program and have a certain level
of hands-on experience. The program has gained acceptance in other divisions. Many used the training courses coupled with
PM College’s PM Professional Coach online self-study tool to gain their Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification
from the Project Management Institute in addition to their internal certification. Internal mentors were assigned to all participants
going through the program to help reinforce the learning. In addition, anyone within the company could take specific courses
in the program for his or her own development. PM College also provided support to communicate and promote program
participation internally.
Pharmaceutical Company’s Internal PM Certification Program Brings More Predictable Project
Outcomes
In the first three years of the program, over 400 participants
attended 30+ courses in the US and Europe in response to
high demand for the training. Skills checklists and project
review documentation were developed for participants to
use on the job, allowing them to apply new knowledge
immediately. Managers reported an improved ability
to communicate project issues and escalate concerns
when required. This led to fewer surprises and improved
predictability.
Training materials were upgraded continuously to address
new challenges in the business environment, with Program
Management being added as a study area in the third year
and virtual learning options added for locations with few
employees.
After the program had been in place for nearly a year, the
company was acquired by a larger firm. The acquiring
company did not have a similar program in place and saw the
value in keeping the program intact and encouraging its own
personnel to participate. Despite organizational changes that
included the disbanding of the sponsoring CPMO, demand
continued and spread to other company divisions outside the
US.
results
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