Presentation 1 of 2: Practice makes perfect – Integrated Program Management training through competitive simulations
Abstract: How can we make project management training fun, engaging and relevant for non-experts? The Millennium Challenge Corporation, a US Government international development agency, has been working to answer that question as they stand up their Integrated Program Management office and introduce advanced project management skillsets for staff in Washington and around the world.
International development institutions often struggle with project management challenges that stem from both the nature of their work as well as the structure of the institutions themselves. Traditional project management training and certification programs can be too theoretical or rigid for staff that work in complex, low-capacity environments. Putting project management in the context where development professionals find themselves operating daily can help them make the connection between the challenges they face and the tools that can help them solve them. One way to do that is through simulation.
Adults learn best from interaction with others in a realistic environment, through role playing, simulation, and skills practice (Knowles, 1988). Simulation provides a method of knowledge transfer superior to instructor-led, classroom training. Particularly with challenges that involve complex problem-solving, simulation games or other types of hands-on activities are essential. Conducting training and practice in environments that resemble the workplace increases the likelihood that target competencies will be achieved (Grossman & Salas, 2011).
At the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the Integrated Program Management Team has used competitive simulations, also known as “serious games,” to help reinforce the importance of project management systems and tools and train staff and counterparts how to use them in the implementation of its international development programs. This session and paper will provide an overview of how the simulations were designed and executed and the results observed over three years of practice as well as suggestions for how they can be introduced in other environments.
PMI Talent Triangle: Leadership
Presentation 2 of 2: Project Elephants: How to talk about the big problems
Abstract: The session will be a hands-on tutorial on concrete steps to implement a risk workshop for complex projects. Our experience demonstrates that projects at any stage can benefit from a risk response workshop. These help draw out and openly discuss the large “elephants in the room” or seemly intractable challenges. Particularly, these are risks and issues that are too complex or ambiguous to address without facilitated conversations.
Participants will first learn how to pitch and set up a risk workshop. We will discuss the business case for getting management support and buy-in. Next we will discuss who should be engaged in a workshop, the best environmental conditions (location, timing and distraction reduction methods) and sample agendas.
During the implementation portion, participants will learn how to be an impartial but engaged facilitator. This will include:
Methods to identify key risks anonymously (so to draw out hidden concerns).
Pinpoint problematic situations (and their associated assumptions).
Collaboratively create solutions through engaging a broad set of project stakeholders.
Develop solution actions plans by naming responsible persons and check-in dates.
We will have many experiences to share with the audience. Especially those that identify methods and approaches that are effective at building engagement. We will also discuss what has not worked well.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation’s Integrated Program Management team has extensive experience in complex project risk assessment and response implementation. Our portfolio consists of large civil infrastructure and associated utility capacity improvement projects throughout the developing world on behalf of the US Government. The team is composed of project implementers that are now using their time to improve our program and project management practice throughout our funding stream.
PMI Talent Triangle: Leadership
Biography: Marc Tkach is a Director of Civil Infrastructure at the Millennium Challenge Corporation. He has worked in over 10 African and Eastern European countries developing and executing complex civil works projects with the US Government. Currently, is the technical director of the MCC’s Integrated Program Management team, an internal consultancy focused on improving project preparation and program/project management processes for MCC at it’s affiliates. He co-found IPM with Melissa Griswold. Previous to MCC, Marc worked for the engineering firm, Dewberry; was a civil engineer officer in the US Air Force and a junior engineering for Kiewit construction. He is a PMP and licensed professional engineering in California. He has a BS and MS in Civil Environmental Engineering from the University of Southern California and is pursuing a Masters in Sustainability Leadership from the University of Cambridge, UK.
