Announcements

February 2011
PMBOK® and PRINCE2® - Complementary or in competition?

MetaPM Learning Practice Manager, Shane Peachey presented the topic “PMBOK® and PRINCE2® - Complementary or in competition?” to the Department of Treasury and Finance PROJECT MANAGEMENT COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE: February session 2011.

The aim of the presentation was to identify the differences between two of the most recognised project management methodologies in the world. The presentation provided a concise overview of both similarities and differences and sought to dispel concerns regarding perceived strengths/weaknesses of them both.

The lunchtime session was very well attended and members posed some thoughtful questions and comment that generated engaging discussion after the event.

MetaPM would like to thank the Department of Treasury and Finance for inviting us to be an active participant in your Project Management Community of Practice sessions.  

If you would like more information about the above presentations please email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

October, 2010
What is Project Success?

Last month MetaPM and Human Systems co hosted ‘What is Project Success and Benefits Management” event in Melbourne.  The workshop was held in Melbourne on 28th October 2010 and explored different ways to measure success, how to deal with conflicting success factors between stakeholders groups and addressing the really important elements that a project must have to be successful.



 






 

 
The workshop looked at the complex issue from a number of different angles including:

Please Note:

If you would like a copy of the detailed presentations given by the various presenters we would be happy to provide on request.  Please feel free to either call the office (03 8640 5700) or email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) to get a copy sent.

October, 2010
Prepared By: Gary Yorke Senior Project Manager at MetaPM

Over 400 delegates made their way north to the AIPM National Conference in Darwin. The AIPM’s membership of International Project Management Association (IPMA) also drew a number of visitors from further afield, with representatives from Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Nepal and Hong Kong.

The Darwin Convention Centre provided excellent facilities and catering, although I was surprised there were no NT mangoes to be seen anywhere.

The conference brought together many of Australia’s PM thought leaders to present and there were difficult choices to be made on the sessions to attend.

The papers presented covered a wide range of topics but a number of themes were clear, in particular:
•    Successful delivery of strategy through projects
•    The role of P3Os and how to measure their value
•    Development of team skills and capabilities

The influence of IPMA membership was evident, with the IPMA Competency Baseline and its potential use for accreditation in the profession being a topic for discussion in the breaks.

It was not all about presentations and networking, with exhibitors from across Australia giving the chance to browse during the breaks and collect the obligatory showbags and freebies. PM tool vendors, training  and educational establishments were all in attendance, but other exhibitors included Quest Serviced Accommodation and APMG-Australasia - who were on hand to answer questions on the many offerings they have available and give information on recent and future products, such as P3O and Portfolio Management.

The Gala dinner and Project Management Achievement Awards ceremony was over subscribed and provided an entertaining final event to the conference. However, Victorians seem reluctant to promote their project management excellence as the state didn’t take away any achievement awards this year. Some attendees expressed surprise at this and cited examples of projects and project managers that would be candidates for awards. If you feel you or your project could be a winner next year email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for details.

Feedback was that the conference was a great success, and next year is expected to be even better as AIPM hosts the IPMA Congress in Brisbane, where over 1000 visitors are expected to attend from around the world. We hope to see some of you there. 

August, 2010
APMG Best Practice Showcase Event 2010

MetaPM was a proud partner of the APMG Best Practice Showcase held in Sydney on the 6th of August 2010 at the SMC Conference and Function Centre.  As a sponsor MetaPM took part in the Birds of a Feather sessions and presented on two topics based around MSP and PRINCE2.

The two topics that MetaPM presented on at the Birds of a Feather Sessions were:

1.  Transformation Change:  Practical Application of MSP

Implementing change into any organisation is a daunting task and it is something that is rarely done in a controlled way. This lack of control in delivering change; and ultimately realising benefits; can often be attributed to the lack of understanding of programme management and the reliance and focus on customised project management methodologies which are aimed at delivering project outputs, not on achieving outcomes and benefits.

Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) helps to fill this capability gap by bringing about this change in a controlled way, ensuring that we not only manage the related projects within our programme, but also manage the change to ensure that our planned benefits are realised. This presentation will cover some of the challenges in gaining sponsorship, planning and implementing MSP across a large transformational change programme.  It will also cover the approach that was taken to overcome these challenges and some of the lessons that were learned throughout the process.

2.  Tailoring of PRINCE2 for Small Projects

The first step for many organisations is often the introduction and adoption of a Project Management Methodology such as PRINCE2. Extensive training of staff is often undertaken, with the expectation that once PRINCE2 qualified – ‘we are now ready to apply the methodology in  our project environment’. However, this is where things start to unravel.

For many organisations PRINCE2 represents a significant investment but also a significant bureaucratic burden to the way in which projects are delivered, particularly for small projects. So what can we do about it?  In short, PRINCE2 provides the guide or roadmap for us to refer to when undertaking projects in our work space.  Importantly, we can adapt PRINCE2 as appropriate to suit the size, complexity or organisational culture of the project environment. This presentation will provide practical tools and suggestions for tailoring PRINCE2 to support the delivery of small projects in your organisation, ensuring essential elements remain whilst maintaining focus on delivery and project success!

If you would like more information about the above presentations please email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Overview of the event:  

Executing projects to time, cost and quality, whilst ensuring that programs drive both benefits and customer satisfaction, may still not be enough if we have not optimised the way that our overall portfolio is constructed. Worse still, our chances of managing projects efficiently and programs effectively are significantly reduced if portfolio issues such as strategic alignment and enterprise resource management & development are neglected. The workshop explored trends and current thinking in portfolio management, what portfolio management means to you and what tools members are using to support and manage their portfolios.

The selection of presentations covered a range of industries with a mix of project portfolios containing internal and externally run projects.  Industries included, Banking & Finance, Gaming, Telecommunications and Health Services

Key Summary Notes:   Human Systems Project Portfolio Management Workshop Bulletin   

Presentation:   Setting the scene for Project Portfolio Management presented by Professor Lynn Crawford

March, 2009
BRW Corporate Triathlon

MetaPM took part in this years annual BRW Corporate Triathlon registering three teams.  The day provided many highlights and it was a great day that provided many laughs and great memories. 

MetaPM aims to lift our customer's project management capability through knowledge sharing.  The objective of this event was to invite leading industry practitioners to share with us their real-life experiences and key approaches that help them achieve successful project outcomes.

Presentation:  Executive Luncheon Series - Keys to better Project in 2009  

August, 2008
Visit MetaPM (Booth 12) at PMOZ

The 5th Annual Project Management Australia (PMOZ) event is being held from this Monday at the Sofitel Melbourne On Collins.

As a session sponsor, MetaPM will be chairing the PMO Sessions and will be participating as a trade exhibitor (Booth 12).

June 2008
MetaPM strengthens its training services through the acquisition of Rational Management

Specialist Project Management company MetaPM, has acquired Rational Management (www.rational.com.au), an established  PRINCE2™ training organization with offices in Melbourne and Sydney.

MetaPM Founder and General Manager Mark Ives said the acquisition will strengthen the company’s already solid foundation, bringing  new services, shared ideas, knowledge and expertise to the current MetaPM team.

“We have been looking for opportunities to extend our learning practice for some time and Rational Management was a perfect fit.  Their reputation as a grounded, practitioner-led organisation and their knowledge, innovative learning practices, and client delivery focus represented a strong match with MetaPM,” Ives said.

As part of the acquisition, MetaPM’s Learning services practice will now be managed by Ivan Watermeyer, who has been with MetaPM for over two years in a senior program management consulting role. In addition to the range of PRINCE2™ services, the learning practice will also offer a range of other specialist learning services such as Portfolio Management and Benefits Realisation training and workshops.

Rational Management’s major clients range from government departments to large corporations.


September 2007
Right Projects, Done Right…MetaPM becomes a Human Systems Partner

MetaPM is excited to announce that it has signed an agreement with Human Systems to become their consultancy partner.

A recognised leader in the field of benchmarking and project practices improvement since 1985, Human Systems is a research based organisation whose core competence lies in improving project, program and portfolio management through assessment of processes, practices, people and teams, in conjunction with benchmarking and knowledge sharing.

Human Systems is dedicated to helping organisations improve their corporate capability to deliver projects and programs successfully whilst helping them to demonstrate benefits.

To find out more on Human Systems, contact us or visit their website: www.humansystems.com.au

August 2007
MetaPM Joins The WoVG eServices Panel

MetaPM has been appointed as a member of the Whole of Victorian Government eServices Panel, established and managed by the Department of Treasury and Finance Government Services Group (GSG).
 
The Panel is comprised of high-quality eServices suppliers.  It is designed to streamline purchasing for Victorian Government Departments by providing a pool of suppliers with standard contract terms, a high level of quality assurance and an established set of capabilities.
MetaPM has been appointed to the Panel as a 'Portfolio, Program & Project Management Specialist' supplier.
 
Even though we have only recently been added to the panel, MetaPM has been successfully working with a number of Government Departments and Agencies over the past few years, helping deliver a range of project management services which include:
Preparation of Business Cases.

• Gateway Reviews.
• Preparation of Request for Tender documents & associated Specifications.
• Costing Analysis.
• Benefits Realisation Planning.
• Refinement and strategic re-alignment of an IT Project Office.
• Design and implementation of a project management framework and associated tools/templates (aligned to PRINCE2 & PMBoK).
• Project Management Delivery Services

Our success to date has been through our ability to ensure the highest quality standards of delivery and our ability to consistently deliver the outcomes required at competitive rates. 

May 2007
MetaPM Becomes A PMI Melbourne Chapter Sponsor

MetaPM is excited to announce that it has been selected as a PMI Melbourne Chapter Partner.

Given the excellent work carried out by the PMI association and its's members, MetaPM looks forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship moving forward.

PRINCE2® is a Registered Trade Mark of the Office of Government Commerce in the United Kingdom and other countries.