Track: Agile/IT

Information technology has an important role in many businesses and in Olympic Games is not different, but when we think about its project management immediately a question comes up. How much important is it project management for Olympic Games success? Information technology department in general has the second biggest budget in the Olympic Games organizing committees (OGOC). Due to the improvements and sports and consequently their dependency from technology, we can say that is almost impossible to realize games without a huge technology set of products and services. Considering as well, that technology is one of the infrastructure areas that provides services to the others functional areas, manage professionally a portfolio of projects became mandatory, not only for technology but also to the entire committee in order to achieve the games organization goals. Olympic games is a megaproject which needs to be planned and managed based on recognized best project management practices. Scope, time, cost, and quality are the minimal aspects that must be managed for functional areas in an integrated manner. Manage it projects it is not an easy thing, especially because it projects are the ones with the highest rate of failure, which means that usually these project do not achieve their goals and realize the benefits planned.

Need practical, concrete advice on how to blend Project Management Institute (PMI) best practices with the Agile development method? Want to hear specifics about successfully incorporating process changes on your team? If so, this is the session for you.

Kim Hobson, a PMP, SAFe Agilist, and member of the team that won the 2010 PMI Distinguished Project Award, will discuss how their project overcame the obstacles of adapting a government-mandated process to fit the Agile development method. It’s been five years since winning the award. Where does the team stand now and what other challenges have they faced? How have they used what they learned as a stepping stone to tackling new guidance from the U. S. government? How do you improve a highly functioning team that’s experiencing exponential growth? Specific steps that the team took will be outlined and practical tips shared. If you’re looking for real answers for how to tailor and adapt processes to meet project needs, plan to attend this participative session.