At the PMO Conference last week, we were joined by Christina Sejr Pedersen, Director of the Half Double Institute.
The conference session focused on a simple, adaptable methodology from Denmark that has shown superior project results. Christina provides more details in this article.
In today’s fast-paced and complex business environment, traditional project management methods alone often fall short in delivering desired outcomes. The rise of hybrid project management approaches, blending elements from both traditional and agile methodologies, is revolutionising how PMOs operate and deliver value.
Last week, I had the pleasure of presenting the benefits of a hybrid project management approach to an enthusiastic audience at this year’s PMO conference. It was the first time I had the opportunity to speak in London, but I really felt that my arguments and the hybrid project management approach which I represent resonated well, so I hope I get the chance to come back! For now, I will share some reflections and key takeaways from my presentation.
My first fundamental starting point is this: All projects are populated by people. Let me repeat: All projects are populated by people.
Isn’t that a self-evident truth, you may ask. Yes, it is. But still many project management methodologies focus on tools and templates, but not much on people. When PMOs select, distribute and train their organisations and their chosen method, they should choose a model that starts and ends with a people-centric focus.
My second starting point is that most project management models contain sound advice and best practices. Religiously adhering to one model as a PMO is doing your organisation a disservice.
I believe you should choose a hybrid, people-oriented model and make sure you tailor it to your needs.
Why a Hybrid Approach to Project Management is a Necessity
The increasing complexity of stakeholder environments, the accelerated pace of business, and the frequency of crises demand a more flexible and adaptive project management strategy. Traditional, prescriptive project models and purely agile approaches each have their strengths, but neither is sufficient on its own for today’s multifaceted projects. We need to set people free to do what is needed! I am aware that this can be frightening in a PMO function where you try to keep the organisation aligned, but I am convinced that the alternative is even more scary.
The Evolving Business Landscape
The business world is not what it used to be. Business developments are occurring at a breakneck pace, crises have become the new norm, and stakeholder environments have grown increasingly complex. In such a dynamic setting, PMOs must evolve to stay relevant and effective.
Since everyone is different, one project approach doesn’t fit all, and this is one of the strongholds of a hybrid approach: it allows you to tailor your project model to the team, the stakeholders, and the organisational context.
The Benefits of a Hybrid Project Management Approach
Now you know I have a people-first approach, but that doesn’t mean that the traditional project management parameters are unimportant. Let us take a look at the different aspects and advantages of a hybrid project management approach:
- Flexibility and Adaptability
A hybrid approach combines the structured planning and risk management of traditional project management with the iterative development and continuous feedback loops of agile. This blend allows for clear timelines and milestones while maintaining the agility to adapt to changes swiftly.
- Improved Risk Management
Traditional methods excel in providing thorough risk assessment and mitigation plans. When combined with agile’s quick responsiveness to emerging risks, this creates a robust framework for managing uncertainties. This dual-layered approach to risk management means that projects are better prepared for unforeseen challenges, enhancing overall resilience. It is important to understand that one major stronghold of a hybrid approach is that it can even be customized to different parts and phases of a project.
- Enhanced Collaboration and Communication
Agile practices promote constant communication and collaboration within teams, fostering a more engaged and responsive project environment. Meanwhile, traditional methods ensure a comprehensive stakeholder analysis is conducted upfront, facilitating better stakeholder management throughout the project lifecycle. This ensures all voices are heard and considered, leading to more informed decision-making.
- Balanced Resource Allocation
Hybrid project management allows for better resource management by combining predictive planning with adaptive allocation. This balance ensures that resources are utilized efficiently, with dedicated teams focusing on high-priority tasks. By leveraging the strengths of both approaches, PMOs can optimize resource deployment and maintain high levels of productivity.
- Focus on Leadership
Hybrid project management demands a more adaptive and flexible leadership style. Leaders must navigate both structured and fluid project elements, guiding their teams through changing circumstances with agility and foresight. This requires a shift from traditional command-and-control leadership to a more collaborative and empowering style, which can significantly enhance team performance and project outcomes.
For the same reason, the leadership aspect is one of 3 key elements of the Half Double Methodology, and the one which is documented to have the most significant impact of them all.
Advantages at the Portfolio Level
At the portfolio level, a hybrid approach optimises resource utilisation, enhances visibility and control, aligns projects with business strategy, and diversifies risks for better overall management and outcomes.
- Optimised Resource Utilisation
A hybrid approach balances resource allocation across projects, accommodating both stable and dynamic project needs. This leads to more efficient use of resources and improved overall project outcomes. By aligning resources with project demands more effectively, PMOs can enhance productivity and project success rates.
- Enhanced Portfolio Visibility and Control
Traditional project management provides detailed reporting and control mechanisms, while agile offers real-time updates and visibility into project progress. Together, they enable better portfolio management and decision-making. PMOs can benefit from the structured insights of traditional methods and the immediate feedback provided by agile practices.
- Better Alignment with Business Strategy
Combining the strategic alignment of traditional methods with the adaptive nature of Agile allows for a portfolio that is better equipped to respond to market changes. This ensures that projects remain aligned with evolving business goals, providing a strategic advantage. As market conditions shift, a hybrid approach ensures that the portfolio remains flexible and responsive.
- Risk Diversification
A hybrid portfolio can diversify risks by balancing high-risk, high-reward agile projects with low-risk, predictable traditional projects. This enhances overall portfolio stability and resilience, ensuring a balanced approach to risk management. By spreading risks across different types of projects, PMOs can safeguard against potential failures and capitalize on opportunities.
Benefits at the Enterprise and PMO Level
Adopting a hybrid approach in project management offers strategic agility, scalability, improved stakeholder engagement, and fosters continuous improvement and innovation at both the enterprise and PMO levels. Benefits include:
- Strategic Agility
A hybrid approach enables organizations to be more agile in responding to market changes and business opportunities. It combines strategic planning with the ability to pivot quickly when necessary, fostering a more responsive and resilient organization. This strategic agility allows PMOs to stay ahead of competitors and adapt to emerging trends.
- Scalability
Hybrid methodologies can be scaled across different departments and projects, providing a cohesive yet flexible framework. This supports the growth and scalability of the PMO, accommodating varying project types and sizes. Whether managing small, agile teams or large, traditional projects, a hybrid approach can be tailored to fit the needs of any organization.
- Improved Stakeholder Engagement
Traditional methods ensure stakeholders are kept informed through formal reporting structures, while agile practices increase stakeholder involvement through regular updates and feedback loops. This dual approach enhances stakeholder satisfaction and engagement. By maintaining open lines of communication, PMOs can build stronger relationships with stakeholders and ensure their needs are met.
- Continuous Improvement and Innovation
Hybrid project management fosters innovation by allowing for experimentation within a controlled framework. Different methods can be used separately or as boosters to each other, encouraging continuous improvement and the adoption of best practices. This culture of innovation ensures that PMOs remain at the forefront of project management excellence.
PMOs, it’s Time to Adopt a Hybrid Approach!
In my opinion, a hybrid approach to project management is not just a trend, but a strategic necessity for PMOs striving to stay relevant and effective in today’s complex business environment. I am obviously biased here, but I truly believe that the Half Double methodology is a great example of how such an approach can deliver superior results, providing a simple yet adaptable framework for achieving project success.
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and if your organisation is working with a purely traditional project approach today, it’s unlikely you’ll embark on an ultimate hybrid approach tomorrow. Embrace the hybrid mindset bit by bit in the dimension that makes sense in your organisation or in a specific project and build from there.
By applying hybrid project management, PMOs can increase flexibility, improve risk management and foster greater collaboration, ultimately leading to higher project success and better alignment with business objectives.
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