Terry Schmidt

Strategic Project Management Made Simple: Practical Tools for Leaders and Teams

Author: Terry Schmidt

Overview

Strategic Project Management Made Simple by Terry Schmidt provides a comprehensive guide to achieving project success by aligning projects with strategic goals. Schmidt aims to bridge the gap between project management and strategic planning, showing readers how to effectively execute projects that drive organizational success. Drawing on his extensive experience as a project management consultant, the author presents a clear framework and practical tools that empower leaders and teams to navigate complex projects and make strategic decisions.

Key Points / Ideas

1. The Importance of Strategic Alignment:

Schmidt emphasizes the need for projects to align with strategic objectives. He argues that successful projects require a clear understanding of the organization's goals, and project managers must actively link project outcomes to these strategic objectives. By aligning projects with strategic priorities, leaders ensure that resources are utilized effectively and the project's impact contributes directly to the overall success of the organization.

2. The Logical Framework Approach:

The author introduces the Logical Framework Approach (LFA) as a tool for capturing and communicating project goals, objectives, and strategies. Schmidt demonstrates the four components of LFA: the project's objective, the strategy for achieving the objective, the indicators for measuring progress, and the means of verification. He explains how utilizing LFA helps project managers form a logical and coherent approach that aligns with the organization's strategic direction.

3. The Power of Visual Tools:

To enhance communication and facilitate understanding, Schmidt encourages the use of visual tools such as logic models, cause-and-effect diagrams, and storyboards. Visual tools enable teams to synthesize complex information and present it in a clear, concise, and compelling manner. The author provides numerous examples and case studies to demonstrate how visual tools can improve project outcomes and foster collaboration among stakeholders.

4. Strategy Mapping:

Schmidt introduces strategy mapping as a technique for visually depicting strategic initiatives and how they are interrelated. By creating a strategy map, project managers can clearly communicate how their project contributes to the larger strategic framework. This approach helps stakeholders understand the project's impact and fosters alignment and support for its implementation.

5. Tools for Planning and Execution:

The author provides practical tools and techniques to support planning and execution throughout the project lifecycle. These tools include stakeholder analysis, risk management, critical chain scheduling, and best value procurement. Schmidt emphasizes the importance of incorporating these tools into project management practices to minimize risks, optimize resource allocation, and ensure successful project outcomes.

Conclusion

Strategic Project Management Made Simple offers a valuable framework and practical tools for leaders and teams seeking to align projects with strategic goals. Schmidt's emphasis on strategic alignment, visual tools, and practical techniques provides readers with a comprehensive guide to project success. By utilizing the Logical Framework Approach and strategy mapping along with other tools, project managers can enhance communication, improve collaboration, and achieve better project outcomes.

Readers interested in exploring this topic further may also consider books such as "Strategic Planning for Project Management" by Catherine F. Dalton and Carl W. Dalton, and "Effective Project Management: Traditional, Agile, Extreme" by Robert K. Wysocki. These additional resources provide further insights and strategies for effective project management in alignment with organizational strategies.