How healthy is your project or programme governance?

Introduction

Ok so you are involved in a major project or programme – maybe you are new onto a project already running, or you have been brought in at the start with a group of others new to it. Andrew Bragg, the former Chief Executive of the APM often stated that “there is no such thing as project failure, just a failure of governance”. And still 80% of projects fail - the 2015 Association for Project Management (APM) survey confirmed that governance is a key factor in project success. It is thus a key component of Business Integrated Governance (BIG) (see Praxis and Business Integrated Governance - Praxis Framework). 

So back to your project (or programme) - how do you ensure, or assure, that it has been established with healthy governance in mind – and is still appropriate for this stage of the journey? One answer may be “is it following a bible and rigorous framework”. Another might be that “it’s the same as I put in place on my last project”. But beware, good governance is not a “one size fits all” cloak. Much of good governance is neither about structure nor process – yes they have a place but. It also depends upon less rational and more emotional responses. Whether you are the Project Sponsor, Sponsor Delegate, Project Manager, Independent Assurer, here are some questions, tips and hints that you could use to effect better governance. 

The overriding objective of governance is to ensure an organisation achieves change successfully with confidence, transparency and control. It should ensure that the organisation is aware of risks, minimises project failures and maximises the beneficial outcomes (value) from their overall portfolio of projects in a sustainable and transparent manner.  Most organisations do have policies, processes and structures for governance of projects (the harder aspects). But how flexibly they are applied to individual projects that have particular needs and drivers is the key to success. The softer aspects of mindset, attitude and leadership, along with having a supportive organisational culture will make all the difference. 

The Ten Golden Rules for Healthy Project Governance

1. Alignment and Relationships
2. Purpose, Vision and Strategic Roadmap
3. Golden Thread of Accountability and Delegation
4. Single, Truly Empowered, Governance Structure
5. Clearly Allocated Roles and Accountability
6. Requirements - Keeping the End Destination in Sight
7. Framework, Process and Decision Gates
8. Capacity and Competence
9. Transparency and Assurance
10. Leadership, Collaboration and Supportive Culture.

Over the next few weeks, we will explain and give examples of how you can improve each component on your project or programme such that your governance is healthy.