Page 381 - Global Project Management Handbook

18-22 MANAGEMENT OF THE PROJECT-ORIENTED COMPANY

Software for project portfolio management supports the project-oriented company in
the maintenance of a project portfolio database and in the development of project portfolio
reports. Products available on the market that also cover project portfolio management are,
for example, Primavera, Planview, Artemis, OPX2, Planta PPMS, and Niku Portfolio
Manager.
Groupware supports communication and cooperation within projects. A relatively new
aspect is the use of project portals for promoting Internet-based cooperation and commu-
nication within projects. A distinction should be made between general “collaboration”
portals, such as community zero, same-page, and teamspace, and specific project portals,
such as WelcomeHom, Primavera Teamplay, Pacific Edge Project Office, and MS
Project Central. These specific applications of project-oriented companies also must be
compatible with the organization’s other applications in order to enable standardized
flows of data without media discontinuities. Therefore, interfaces between the project
management software and, for example, frequently used Enterprise Resource Planning
(ERP)software (e.g., SAP or Oracle i-Business Suite) need to be defined.
In addition to groupware, a Web browser and video communication software also
should be installed on the notebooks of members of virtual teams. The notebooks therefore
also require appropriate peripheral devices, such as cameras, speakers, and microphones,
in order to enable multimedia communication. It is possible to equip either each notebook
or just individual machines located in special multimedia rooms with peripheral devices.

Telecommunications Infrastructure of the
Project-Oriented Company

The term telecommunications encompasses the transmission of speech, data, and images
by means of telephone, fax, e-mail, the Internet, and videoconferences. By using an
appropriate telecommunications infrastructure, project-oriented companies can ensure
both their organizational flexibility and their customer orientation. The use of a modern
telecommunications infrastructure presents competitive advantages in the form of
● Savings in time and costs. Members of project organizations employed at different
locations cooperate increasingly virtually. With regard to the communication tech-
nology, this cooperation can be supported by means of corporate networks that can
run quickly and cheaply via speech, data, video, or multimedia communications.

● Efficient flow of information. Members of project organizations spend a major part of
their working hours obtaining and forwarding information. Efficient networking of the
computers and the telephone system ensures optimal organization of the communication.
● Fast feedback. Fast feedback on recommended solutions and intermediary results is
important to ensure that appropriate progress is made on projects. The availability of
the addressees can be supported by means of communication solutions, such as “call
back on engaged tone,” cordless and mobile communication, voice mail, e-mail,
video, and multimedia communications.

Spatial Infrastructure of the Project-Oriented Company

Architecture is a central element of the organizational culture. The architectural design
of the offices influences the levels of satisfaction, creativity, effectiveness, and produc-
tivity of employees. Flexible interior design options promote the project orientation of
organizations. It should be possible to adapt the offices to the requirements of the cur-
rent development phase of a project. Efficient communication in a project or a program
is only enabled with the appropriate architecture and interior design.