Strengthening EU Member States' Project Management Capability
The PM² Alliance, together with its partners and network, firmly believes that effective project management plays a crucial role in shaping the future of the European Union. As an alliance committed to the advancement of PM² Project Management practices, we recognize our responsibility in working with EU institutions and other stakeholders in inspiring and promoting the enhancement of project management capabilities across national and regional levels.
By providing technical support, funding, and promoting legislative initiatives, the European Commission and other EU Institutions have empowered EU Member States’ Public Administrations to improve the quality and effectiveness of their project management.
Technical Support and Funding by the European Commission
The European Commission, through instruments such as ECFIN and DG REFORM, continues to actively collaborate with Member States to offer technical support and funding for the implementation of national reforms focused on establishing project management capability. By recognizing project management as a critical success factor, EU Institutions can encourage Member States to adopt standardized methodologies, enabling better coordination and execution of projects. The PM² Project Management Methodology, already acknowledged as Europe’s preferred approach for EU funded projects, should be leveraged as a framework to foster consistency and excellence in project management practices.
Harmonization of Project Management Approaches
The PM² Alliance believes in reinforcing the establishment of PM² as Europe’s methodology. By facilitating the standardization of project management approaches, EU Institutions have already streamlined processes internally, and now, its the turn of Member States to do the same and adopt a unified approach to project management and execution. Standardization leads to enhanced collaboration, knowledge sharing, and more efficient project delivery and progress reporting. We advocate naming PM² as the preferred methodology both at the EU and Member States level, solidifying its position as the go-to solution for effective project management.
Empowering Future Leaders
We recognize that the future of EU project management depends on the community of project managers, the PM² Alliance, and institutions working together. It is essential to invest in the next generation of project managers and empower them with the necessary skills and knowledge. EU Institutions should promote the collaboration of its stakeholders with schools of public administration to incorporate PM² programmes into their curricula. Moreover, partnerships with universities (see also PM² Alliance’s Student Ambassador Programme) can promote PM² best practices among young professionals who are entering the job market and will be the leaders of tomorrow, both in private businesses and in public administration.
Embracing Simplicity and Agile Strategies
The PM²Alliance firmly believes that project management doesn’t need to be complicated or require substantial upfront investments. We advocate for the simplicity of the PM² approach, focusing on its effectiveness as a lean and efficient methodology. Furthermore, we embrace agile strategies to remain responsive to the evolving demands and needs of the domain. By evolving PM² in collaboration with the project management community, we ensure that it continues to meet the dynamic challenges of the EU landscape.
The Pillars of Effective Project Management
The PM² Alliance promotes the adoption of PM² Mindsets as an essential dimension of effective project management and team behavior. By emphasizing the importance of these mindsets, such as adaptability, collaboration, and transparency, EU Institutions can foster a project-oriented culture across the EU. Additionally, the PM² Governance Model serves as an indispensable pillar of project management, enabling the creation of value for stakeholders.
Conclusions
The PM² Alliance firmly stands by the belief that effective project & portfolio orientation is the key to addressing the challenges faced by organizations and society in the EU. By collaborating with EU Institutions, we can make a significant impact in improving project management capabilities at the national and regional levels. Standardizing project management approaches, empowering future leaders, and embracing simplicity, sustainability, and agility are crucial steps towards achieving excellence in project execution. Let us work hand in hand to inspire, empower, and elevate project management practices throughout the EU, shaping a brighter and more prosperous future for all.
Join the PM² Alliance and become a PM² Manifesto Signatory
