The global skills and competency framework for the digital world

Project management PRMG

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

Guidance notes

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.

Levels

Defined at these levels: 4 5 6 7

Project management: Levels 1-3

This skill is not typically observed when working at these levels of responsibility.

Project management: Level 4

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

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

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

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.