PM CompModel™
Contributes to Project Success

"Are You Experienced?"
It was a Jimi Hendrix song of the late 60's. We're not quite sure what he was talking about then, but today, we are positive the question is essential for Project Managers. As many enterprises are finding it is a competitive advantage to improve the performance of their Project Managers, we encounter some that invest their training funds in programs that merely teach people how to pass a test.

The result: "Project Managers" who have never managed a project to successful closure. They may not even be able to tell you how to do so. What you really need is Project Managers who can cite their successes, and explain why they are successful.

So, what is your alternative? There exist several certification programs that try to go beyond the simple testing of knowledge acquired, to asses whether the practitioner actually possesses Competence. New ones are emerging. But the rigor required for these certifications may scare off the casual practitioner.

CompModel: A Middle Ground
CompModel is our recent update of a tool and process that we have used for over 20 years to assess Project Roles and Responsibilities, then identify the Competences needed to deliver them effectively. We've used the process together with Instructional Design to target organizational learning requirements, and then deliver the right learning or coaching experience for each audience.

We’ve used the tool and processes to develop a job-design-based Project Management curriculum that delivers topics specific to audience needs, rather than subjecting everyone to the same 4 or 5 day Project Management workshop.

We've used CompModel to set up Assessment Centers, staffed with professional assessors, and we've set up a Project Management Office to assess organizations, and coach project practitioners in their areas of greatest gaps. We've used CompModel to assess the teams of individual, high-risk projects, and performed gap analysis and coaching to reduce project risk.

What Is Competence?
Webster defines Competence (or competency) as properly qualified, capable, or adequate for the stipulated purpose. Our definition of Competence also includes behavioral aspects, with consistently-demonstrated and appropriately used attitude, skills and knowledge.

We add to Webster's contributions. You may be familiar with the ASK Learning Model, which evaluates learning based on its impact on Attitudes, Skills and Knowledge. We have added a level at the top: Competence; thus C + A + S + K. Our CASK model helps you assess the Project Manager Competences, attitudes, skills and knowledge needed for each project role, to strengthen your weakest links. So, you can evaluate the Competence of all stakeholders who affect your project success.

Who Needs PM Competence?
It is not just Project Managers who must demonstrate PM Competence. If your projects are to succeed, each stakeholder must demonstrate Competence in the actions required by his or her role. You must evaluate each of the Project Roles, or their equivalents (see graphic).

Then, follow the steps in CompModel to train, coach or otherwise fill your organization’s greatest PM Competence gaps.

How We've Used CompModel

• Set up Assessment Centers, staffed with professional assessors, to assess Project Manager Competence.
• Assessed Project Management Office staff to determine their strengths, and identify weaknesses to concentrate upon.
• Set up Project Management Offices to assess their organization, and coach project practitioners in their gaps.
• Assessed the teams of individual, high-risk projects, as a way to reduce the risks.
• Identified the best use of training funds to fill an organization's greatest PM Competence gaps.

How You Can Use CompModel

• Assess your Competences as Project Manager (or other roles), to build a professional development plan.
• Assess yourself to prepare to apply for the new asapm aCPM certification, or find your gaps to improve upon.
• Assess your current project team, to find "your weakest link", then coach to improve it.
• Assess your Project Management Office, to assure best use of their greatest strengths.

CompModel SlideShow
To see more about CompModel, see our Flash slideshow. If you have a fast connection (because the slides total about 1Mb), click this link.

SlideShow Navigation Instructions:

• Size the screen so the white space at top and bottom disappear. Or, hit F11 to view full-screen
• Click a slide to go to the next page. Exit the page to return back to here when done.

Getting CompModel
CompModel requires Microsoft Windows and a copy of Microsoft Access 2000 or 2002 on your system. If you do not have a version of Microsoft Access, the installations in the table below include a run-time version. CompModel is available either as a service or as a product from ProjectExperts.

CompModel is available in three versions, for different audiences:

• The ProjectExperts' version reflects the Competences needed by all the stakeholders of today's projects. It directly supports the ProjectExperts curriculum, including Team Members, and Small Project Managers.
• THE Guide version adds the Competences and stakeholders for our Systems Engineering Methodology. Of special interest are the Customer and System Engineers' required Competences.
• The asapm version supports the new advanced Project Manager Certification mentioned above.

Be sure to specify which version you are interested in when you contact us.

About the Application
The CompModel tool is based on Microsoft Access version 2000 or newer, and runs under Microsoft Windows with current service packs. It is intended for use by Project Managers who wish to assess and improve their competence, or by your Project Management Office or Learning Organization, and (depending on your license) can be used on one or more workstations.