Project management PRMG

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Delivering agreed outcomes from projects using appropriate management techniques, collaboration, leadership and governance.

SFIA 9 is in development

SFIA 9 beta due in early July 2024
SFIA 9 planned for publication October 2024

Guidance notes

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This skill is applicable to all project management techniques and life cycles - which can be on a continuum from predictive (plan-driven) approaches to adaptive (iterative/agile) approaches.

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

selecting techniques and life cycle models based on the context of the project
establishing team structures and a collaborative working environment
communicating with stakeholders and maintaining awareness of business needs and priorities
using visual techniques for project tracking and reporting
timeboxing and incremental deliveries
defining deliverables, milestones and dependencies
applying change control and risk management processes
acquiring the necessary resources and skills
agreeing constraints of cost, timescales, quality and scope
reviewing experiences and learning from current and previous projects
ensuring that projects are formally closed and reviewed.

An understanding of project size and complexity is helpful when applying the project management skill. Typical factors that influence project complexity include the complexity of resourcing, scale of organisational impact, use of new technologies, number of interdependences, stability of requirements, business implications, and risks.

Understanding the responsibility levels of this skill

Where lower levels are not defined...

Specific tasks and responsibilities are not defined because the skill requires a higher level of autonomy, influence, and complexity in decision-making than is typically expected at these levels. You can use the essence statements to understand the generic responsibilities associated with these levels.

Where higher levels are not defined...

Responsibilities and accountabilities are not defined because these higher levels involve strategic leadership and broader organisational influence that goes beyond the scope of this specific skill. See the essence statements.

Developing skills and demonstrating responsibilities related to this skill

The defined levels show the incremental progression in skills and reponsibilities.

Where lower levels are not defined...

You can develop your knowledge and support others who do have responsibility in this area by:

Learning key concepts and principles related to this skill and its impact on your role
Performing related skills (see the related SFIA skills)
Supporting others with tasks (generic examples are provided by the essence statements for each level)

Where higher levels are not defined...

You can progress by developing related skills which are better suited to higher levels of organisational leadership.

Levels

Defined at these levels:

Click to learn why SFIA skills are not defined at all 7 levels.

Show/hide extra descriptions and levels.

Level 1

Level 1 - Follow: Essence of the level: Performs routine tasks under close supervision, follows instructions, and requires guidance to complete their work. Learns and applies basic skills and knowledge.

Level 2

Level 2 - Assist: Essence of the level: Provides assistance to others, works under routine supervision, and uses their discretion to address routine problems. Actively learns through training and on-the-job experiences.

Level 3

Level 3 - Apply: Essence of the level: Performs varied tasks, sometimes complex and non-routine, using standard methods and procedures. Works under general direction, exercises discretion, and manages own work within deadlines. Proactively enhances skills and impact in the workplace.

Project management: Level 4

Level 4 - Enable: Essence of the level: Performs diverse complex activities, supports and supervises others, works autonomously under general direction, and contributes expertise to deliver team objectives.

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Defines, documents and executes small projects or sub-projects.

Works alone or with a small team actively participating in all phases of the project. Applies appropriate project management methods and tools. Identifies, assesses and manages risks effectively.

Agrees project approach with stakeholders and prepares realistic project plans (including scope, schedule, quality, risk and communication plans). Tracks activities against the project schedule, managing stakeholder involvement as appropriate.

Monitors costs, times, quality and resources used takes action where these exceed agreed tolerances.

Project management: Level 5

Level 5 - Ensure, advise: Essence of the level: Provides authoritative guidance in their field and works under broad direction. Accountable for achieving workgroup objectives and managing work from analysis to execution and evaluation.

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Takes full responsibility for the definition, approach, facilitation and satisfactory completion of medium-scale projects.

Provides effective leadership to the project team. Adopts appropriate project management methods and tools. Manages the change control process and assesses and manages risks. Ensures that realistic project plans are maintained and delivers regular and accurate communication to stakeholders.

Ensures project and product quality reviews occur on schedule and according to procedure. Ensures that project deliverables are completed within agreed cost, timescale and resource budgets, and are formally accepted, by appropriate stakeholders.

Monitors costs, times, quality and resources used and takes action where performance deviates from agreed tolerances.

Project management: Level 6

Level 6 - Initiate, influence: Essence of the level: Has significant organisational influence, makes high-level decisions, shapes policies, demonstrates leadership, fosters organizational collaboration, and accepts accountability in key areas.

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Takes full responsibility for the definition, documentation and successful completion of complex projects.

Adopts and adapts project management methods and tools. Ensures that effective project monitoring and control processes, change control, risk management and quality processes are employed and maintained.

Monitors and controls resources, revenue and capital expenditures against the project budget.

Manages the expectations of key project stakeholders.

Project management: Level 7

Level 7 - Set strategy, inspire, mobilise: Essence of the level: Operates at the highest organisational level, determines overall organisational vision and strategy, and assumes accountability for overall success.

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Sets organisational strategy governing the direction and conduct of project management, including selection and application of methodologies.

Authorises the management of large-scale projects.

Leads project planning, scheduling, controlling and reporting activities for strategic, high impact, high risk projects.

Directs the risk management approach for projects and ensures that risks and issues are managed in line with policy.