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PROGRAM AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Managing Highly Complex IT EnvironmentsOrganizations install IT infrastructure in order to operate, compete, and grow in today’s dynamic and challenging business environment and to achieve the objectives of financial, operational, and market success. Such IT investment accelerates the pace, reach, and agility of business, but also introduces complexity. The Centers of Expertise (COE) is a Cisco community that is focused on establishing best practices and standards for change management, project management, program management, and business leadership. The Cisco Global Strategy & Operations (GS&O) COEs have been created to help client organizations successfully manage complexity, maintain higher levels of control, and leverage their IT infrastructure to align with business goals.

CENTER OF EXPERTISE

Program and Project Management Center of Expertise The mission of the Program and Project Management COE is to accelerate the successful delivery of all GS&O projects for Cisco customers by developing and institutionalizing a common project execution framework that encompasses methodology, tools, governance, and human factors (Figure 1). The Program and Project Management COE provides a strategic competency for organizations, enabling them to tie project results to business goals and thus better compete in their markets (Figure 2). In order to sustain the highest levels of operational and professional excellence, the Program and Project Management COE supports ongoing career development as part of a learning continuum through community events, knowledge sharing, and formal education. Program and project management professionals from the Program and Project Management COE display a versatile range of IT and business skills to fit an organization’s specific requirements and job metrics.

Figure 1. Benefits Offered by the Program and Project Management COE Framework

Greater speed ofimplementation at lower costs

Improved communication andcollaboration across teams

Shared understanding acrossall key stakeholders

Consistency in projectexecution

Clear and defined hand-offsbetween project phases

Formalized and codified rolesand responsibilities

Clear line-of-sight into GS&Oand Cisco initiatives

Programand ProjectManagementFrameworkreduces execution gaps and improvesthe reliable delivery of projectcommitments

Process Alignment with Business GoalsThe capabilities and processes of the Program and Project Management COE are recognized as best-in-class for planning and execution. Project managers develop a realistic schedule, budget, and

C i s c o G l o b a l S t r a t e g y & O p e r a t i o n s

resource plan, and assure that all issues, risks, and dependencies are understood. Stakeholders are identified and integrated with the team. Goals and objectives are clearly identified, communicated, and signed off on. Activities and deliverables are assigned value metrics in order to provide a concise measurement of success for all project participants and stakeholders. The result is a more predictable outcome, and one that aligns with the organization’s business goals.

Figure 2. Program and Project Management COE Framework

Proven Methodologies and Best PracticesStandardized Program and Project Management COE practices use proven and repeatable methodologies and processes, and are based upon the fundamentals and best practices of the Project Management Institute, the world’s leading not-for-profit membership association for the project management profession. The Program and Project Management COE allows individuals to speak with one common language, regardless of their industry or geography, or whether they manage projects, programs, or portfolios. This common language steers organizations toward achieving repeatable, predictable results on a consistent basis.

More InformationTo find out more about GS&O Program and Project Management COE practices, and how the Cisco GS&O Centers of Expertise can deliver best-in-class services for your organization, please contact:

Warren LeakManager, Advanced ServicesEmail: wleak@cisco.comPhone: +44 20 8824 8696

© 2010 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information. C22-625685-00 10/10

The Cisco Centers of Expertise (COE) is a community that is focused on establishing best practices and standards for change management, project management, program management, and business leadership. We strive to develop and increase knowledge in these areas for the execution of programs, initiatives, and new service offers within the Cisco Global Strategy and Operations team.

The COE is composed of the following areas of focus:

• Change Management: Includes the processes that are used to ensure that people and organizations are ready and willing to operate in a new business environment.

• Program and Project Management: Includes the planning, organizing, and managing of resources to bring about the successful completion of specific project goals and objectives.

• Business Leadership: Includes the organizational skills and processes needed to enhance business value and achieve business goals in alignment with stakeholder vision and expectations.

• Business Architecture: Includes processes to support alignment with customer needs and IT technology roadmaps.