PM CompModel™
Contributes to Project Success

"Are You Experienced?"

It was a Jimi Hendrix song of the late 60's.  We're not quite sure what he was talking about then, but today, we are positive the question is essential for Project Managers.  As many enterprises are finding it is a competitive advantage to improve the performance of their Project Managers, we encounter some that invest their training funds in programs that merely teach people how to pass a test.

The result: "project managers" who have never managed a project to successful closure.  They may not even be able to tell you how to do so.  What you really need is Project Managers who can cite their successes, and explain why they are successful.

So, what is your alternative?  There exist several certification programs that try to go beyond the simple testing of knowledge acquired, to asses whether the practitioner actually possesses competency.  New ones are emerging.  But the rigor required for these certifications may scare off the casual practitioner.

CompModel: A Middle Ground

CompModel is our recent update of a tool and process that we have used for over 20 years to assess Project Roles and Responsibilities, then identify the Competencies needed to deliver them effectively.  We've used the process together with Instructional Design to target organizational learning requirements, and then deliver the right learning or coaching experience for each audience.

We’ve used the tool and processes to develop a job-design-based Project Management curriculum that delivers topics specific to audience needs, rather than subjecting everyone to the same 4 or 5 day Project Management workshop.

We've used CompModel to set up Assessment Centers, staffed with professional assessors, and we've set up Project Offices to assess their organization, and coach project practitioners in their areas of greatest gaps.  We've used CompModel to assess the teams of individual, high-risk projects, and performed gap analysis and coaching to reduce project risk.

What Is Competency?

Webster defines competency (or competence) as properly qualified, capable, or adequate for the stipulated purpose.  Our definition of competency also includes behavioral aspects, with consistently-demonstrated and appropriately used attitude, skills and knowledge.

We add to Webster's contributions.  You may be familiar with the ASK model, which evaluates learning based on its impact on Attitudes, Skills and Knowledge.  We have added a top level: Competency; thus C + A + S + K. Our CASK model helps you assess the project manager competencies, attitudes, skills and knowledge needed for each project role, to strengthen your weakest links.  Thus you can evaluate the competency of all stakeholders who affect your project success.

Who Needs PM Competency?

It is not just Project Managers who must demonstrate project management competency.  If your projects are to succeed, each stakeholder must demonstrate competency in the actions required by his or her role.  You must evaluate each of the Project Roles, or their equivalents:

• Project Sponsor

• Resource Manager

• Project Office

• Project Manager

• Team Leader

• Team Member

Then, follow the steps in CompModel to train, coach or otherwise fill your organization’s greatest Project Management competency gaps.

How We've Used CompModel

• Set up Assessment Centers, staffed with professional assessors, to assess Project Manager competency.

• Assessed Project Office staff to determine their strengths, and identify weaknesses to concentrate upon.

• Set up Project Offices to assess their organization, and coach project practitioners in their gaps.

• Assessed the teams of individual, high-risk projects, as a way to reduce the risks.

• Identified the best use of training funds to fill an organization's greatest PM competency gaps.

How You Can Use CompModel

• Assess your competencies as Project Manager (or other roles), to build a professional development plan.

• Assess yourself to prepare to apply for the new asapm aCPM certification, or find your gaps to improve upon.

• Assess your current project team, to find "your weakest link", then coach to improve it.

• Assess your Project Management Office, to assure best use of their greatest strengths.

• CompModel SlideShow

• To see more about CompModel, see our Flash slideshow. If you have a fast connection (because the slides total about 1.3Mb), click this link.

SlideShow Navigation Instructions

• Size the screen so the white space at top and bottom disappear.  Or, hit F11 to view full-screen.

• Click a slide to go to the next page. Exit the page to return back to here when done.

Getting CompModel

CompModel requires Microsoft Windows and a copy of Microsoft Access 2000 or 2002 on your system.  If you do not have a version of Microsoft Access, the installations in the table below include a run-time version.  CompModel is available either as a service or as a product from ProjectExperts.

CompModel is available in three versions, for different audiences:

• The ProjectExperts' version reflects the competencies needed by all the stakeholders of today's projects.  It directly supports the ProjectExperts curriculum, including Team Members, and Small Project Managers.

• THE Guide version adds the competencies and stakeholders for our Systems Engineering Methodology.  Of special interest are the Customer and System Engineers' required competencies.

• The asapm version supports the new advanced Project Manager Certification mentioned above.

Make sure you specify which version you want when you contact us.

About the Application

The CompModel tool is based on Microsoft Access version 2000 or 2002, and runs under Microsoft Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000 and XP with current service packs.  It is intended for use by Project Managers who wish to assess and improve their competence, or by your Project Office or Learning Organization, and (depending on your license) can be used on one workstation or limited use on your network.