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Project Management

In a universe—and University—of competing interests for limited resources, the Library & Technology Services Project Management Office (PMO) works to maximize productivity. Our staff of analytical problem solvers studies a customer's strategic and tactical needs in depth, focusing on their requirements within the context of that strategy, and the context of the vision and strategy of Brandeis University.

Vision

To forge a partnership with members of the Brandeis Community to guide projects to successful completion.

Mission

To provide Brandeis with project management for key technology-related projects resulting in projects that manage potential risks; make efficient use of available resources; communicate to all stakeholders clearly and regularly; and adhere to their scope, observe their constraints, and meet their objectives.

Partnership and Communication

Through the Project Management Office, LTS becomes a sponsor’s business partner, providing assistance with developing overall strategic IT plans. Project managers work with sponsors on every aspect of the ongoing project.

For a partnership to work, the partners must communicate. The PMO is committed to transparent access and to clear and regular communication. Three documents serve as crucial tools for this:

• The Project Plan outlines everything the partners agree on at the beginning of the project including what the project includes and what it does not include. Drafting of that plan is an important part of reaching those agreements.
• The Project Schedule – updated weekly – sets out mutual timing expectations. It is important that customers know what they have agreed to do and when, as well as what LTS plans to do and when, to be sure that the timing works with the customer’s existing schedule.
• Weekly status reports assure the sponsor that the project is moving ahead as planned. They also alert customers to any deviation from the plan and schedule—all projects encounter problems; the status report records them and their solutions.

Project Managers:

• Work with the customer to define the problem and solution.
• Develop a project plan to implement that solution, setting verifiable objectives and defining the scope.
• Break projects down into key elements and their components to identify manageable tasks.
• Lead the project team, assigning tasks and defining timelines.
• Formulate plans to deal with problems as they arise.
• Assist the customer and team in overcoming any hurdles they encounter.
• Communicate clearly and frequently the status of the project and of the tasks it comprises.

For more information, email itgov@brandeis.edu.