Paper (7): The 5 Stages of Grief (aka Setting Up an Enterprise Project Portfolio Management Organization)
Abstract: If you or someone you love has experienced a loss or a tragedy, you might be familiar with the 5 stages of grief. What no one may have told you, is that organizations that are faced with a major change also experience these phases. In this paper, the Texas Department of Public Safety will share with you their experience with implementation of an enterprise project portfolio management office (EPMO). This office was created in order to manage the strategic execution cycle at the Department and ensure that priorities and the most valuable initiatives were accomplished. The authors will explain what you really need to know and what to expect when establishing an enterprise level organization that is responsible for the strategic execution cycle. They will provide valuable insight into the hurdles and roadblocks that might be encountered, along with strategies for overcoming them. They will also discuss the critical need for buy-in and what to expect when that isn’t achieved at the right time, by the right people. The authors will focus on the integral role that people play in change and execution and provide valuable insight into techniques that might be used to minimize conflict and increase collaboration. While the execution of the organization was ultimately successful, the implementation was more painful than necessary. The authors will candidly share their specific experiences that translate to every industry.
Biography: Amanda Arriaga is the Chief Administrative Officer at the Department of Public Safety, overseeing the functions of Human Resources, Facilities, Procurement & Contracts and Enterprise Projects. She is also the co-chair of the Texas Association of State Systems for Computing and Communication (TASSCC) Special Interest Group in Project Management, and Immediate Past President of the Austin Young Lawyer’s Association. Amanda earned her BBA in Management from Texas A&M University and a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law. She has served as Governor Rick Perry’s Special Assistant for Homeland Security and Border Affairs and DPS Chief of Government and Media Relations.
