The NOAA Approach to Federal Enterprise P/PM Success – Lashford, Frazier and Giraldi
Abstract:
Since 2020, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has led an innovative effort to overhaul the program/project management culture in the bureau through standardizing best practices, creating a comprehensive FAC-P/PM training program, building a thriving community of practice, and enacting a high-visibility recognition program. In a federal space, challenges can often be expected when establishing a Project Management Office (PMO); however, NOAA has found success through managing strategic partnerships, leveraging in-house resources and two-way communication.
The NOAA OCFO/Performance, Risk and Social Sciences Office (PRSSO) was tasked to develop and sustain a bureau-wide Enterprise Program/Project Management initiative in response to the Program Management Improvement Accountability Act (PMIAA) of 2016. To remain compliant with the PMIAA law, action was necessary to deliver more FAC-P/PM training classes in order to certify NOAA’s program and project managers and to address other capability gaps. PRSSO set up the NOAA Enterprise PM Network (EPN) to act as its own PMO, and recruited volunteer members from each of NOAA’s line and staff offices. The EPN began by conducting a gap assessment and were fervent in establishing a community of practice to ensure that all voices were heard throughout this process. The community-building effort led to a 700-person PM network, multiple collaboration spaces/outlets, a bureau-wide, monthly newsletter, and ultimately, a better training avenue for employees. The EPN leaned on a few of its own members to deliver a massively successful FAC-P/PM training program which introduced NOAA-relevant examples, schedule flexibility, and reduced cost. Additionally, NOAA partnered with Smartsheet to assist in administration and design, and UMD to certify the training for graduate-level credit.
Furthermore, through analysis of the gap assessment and better understanding of what NOAA’s P/PMs needed, the EPN was able to assist in developing a completely renewed, standardized approach to their Program Management Council’s (PMC) reporting.
PMI Talent Triangle: Ways of Working
PDUs: 0.75
