Paper and Presentation: Look Out! Avoiding Minefields to Ensure Program Success
Abstract: This presentation will discuss real-world examples of pitfalls to avoid during the execution of federal projects and programs. Federal programs can be very different from those in the commercial environment. While the basic foundations of project management are consistent in both realms – cost, schedule, and scope – understanding the differences in the federal realm is critical to program success. Inherent risks can be mitigated effectively and even exploited for program benefit -and don’t forget to search for related opportunities. Governance is more critical and complex in the federal environment as is understanding and appreciating the mission behind the program. Stakeholders may be civilians or military with differing priorities and may represent multiple agencies. Federal projects and programs are also bound to the federal acquisition lifecycle as well as appropriation cycles. This presentation will give some understanding of avoiding pitfalls and dealing with the complexities, risks, governance, stakeholders, and lifecycles involved in federal programs.
Key Take Aways:
- Preparing for common risks in federal programs including how to mitigate and exploit them.
- Stakeholder identification, engagement, and management are critical and more complex in a federal environment.
- Understanding the effect of the federal acquisition and appropriation cycle on programs.
PMI Talent Triangle: Power Skills
Biography: Dr. Baggett has 25+ years in government contracting working for large systems integrators, as well as small business federal contractors. She is now the owner and Principle Consultant for Holpen Consulting, a WOSB that provides advisory and management services to industry and federal customers. She is an experienced professional in the federal environment supporting DOD, DHS, FedCiv, and IC agencies. She has held progressive positions with large federal contractors managing programs, portfolios, and divisions.
Her management experience includes leading programs and portfolios of programs in several disciplines, including software engineering, systems integration, COTS integration, cyber security operations, and enterprise IT infrastructure and operations. She has extensive experience successfully implementing best practice methodologies and frameworks, including Agile, PMBOK, CMMi, ITIL, ISO, EVM, and Risk Management. She also has multiple certifications in project management, agile development, cybersecurity, and information technology including PMP, PgMP, PMI-ACP, CSM, SAFe Agilist, CMMC, and ITIL-MP. She has an MBA with a minor in Technology from the University of Massachusetts and a Doctorate in Business Administration from Bellevue University.
