SoftPMO Project Execution Guide: Enterprise Edition

A Step-by-Step Guide to Executing Projects that Deliver Business Benefit

  by Michael Kaplan, PMP
Great ideas are often derailed from greatness as a result of a poor execution plan. This book on project management is organized in a well thought-out and easy to reference guideline. Users can increase their percentage for success by utilizing these proven methodologies and templates. This is a must read for those who want to move great ideas into successful outcomes!
  ~ Mitchel Laskey, CEO Brijot Imaging System



The Project Execution Guide provides a project management model and includes a comprehensive and standardized set of project management processes, templates and tools that enable a systematic and quality-based approach to realizing the effective and efficient management of projects.

This guide is designed for the first-time user of the SoftPMO™ Project Management (PM) process including the practiced Professional Project Manager (PMP®) inside any organization. The first-time user will find the ease of using a proven, well-organized, and highly structured approach, while the seasoned professional will find different approaches to getting the job done better, faster, cheaper or reach increased levels of efficiency.


Each section in the Project Execution Guide is designed for simplicity and was kept as brief as possible as to enable you to apply the information fast and with ease. If additional information is needed about Project Management, or any PMBOK® Knowledge Area, please refer to the PMI’s A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® - Fourth Edition) for More Information.

"The SoftPMO™ Project Execution Guide is a refreshing and uncluttered approach that boils down project management process, tools and templates into an air-tight methodology that the beginner through senior project manager can apply and get off to a quick start and begin executing and controlling without having to waste time getting up a loooooong learning curve." 
   ~ Doug DeCarlo,  Author of: eXtreme Project Management

Layout of the Book

This guide has four main parts.

Section I: Introduction to the Project Execution Guide.

This section presents an overview of the PM process and the role of the SoftPMO™ Framework.

Section II: Learn about the PM Model. 

This section prepares your project team for a successful project delivery by using SoftPMO™, and will teach you about the SoftPMO™ project management model before you start. If you require more information, please contact SoftPMO™ (support@softpmo.com) and we will help you locate a SoftPMO™ practitioner or a local SoftPMO™ partner to provide additional guidance.

Section III: Step-by-Step through the Project Method to Deliver a Project.

This section is the meat-and-potatoes of the Project Execution Guide, and presents the six steps of the SoftPMO™ project management process.  It enables the project manager who’s been given a Project charter (authorization) work the project, step by step, until completion. These steps are process based and provide action-item guidance through the entire project from start to finish. Standard project management terms and processes are used, ensuring common and familiar language known throughout the project management profession. This section is organized from an instructional design point of view, and it is structured hierarchically by step, task, and activity. It also specifies inputs, outputs, and PMBOK® references.

Section IV: Appendices.

This section includes information on project templates, forms and people needed to successfully execute a project with the SoftPMO™ Framework.

Introduction to the Toolkit


Figure 1: SoftPMO Project Management Model for Executing Projects

The toolkit focuses on project delivery, and is divided into the six main areas of project delivery. These steps cover all tasks necessary to deliver a completed product, from Definition to Closure.

The first step revolves around defining the solution and selecting the right approach. The next step uses these definitions to create the project road map for successful execution. Subsequent steps manage the project schedule and risks, track the evolution of project requirements, and ensure business readiness while executing the road map previously established. The last step closes the loop—handing off the project, measuring project success, and evaluating project team performance.

SOFTPMO™ is a comprehensive model for project management activities, applicable to stand-alone and groups of projects, as well as to programs. Throughout this document, the word “project” refers to both simple, clearly-defined projects as well as complex, interwoven and integrated projects made up of multiple project “parts” or “sub-projects.”  For simplicity, the term ”program” is not be used; however, it’s interchangeable with the term ”project” throughout this document.


Key Value Drivers

"Stakeholder satisfaction, timely delivery and staying within budget top the list of measures that indicate a project’s success.”  ~ PricewaterhouseCoopers

Organizations that do not have a PM methodology reported lower performing projects.

Use of PM software positively impacts project performance; however, reporting for key project elements is often generated outside of the software."

By using the SoftPMO project methodology you are likely to:
  • Increase the likelihood of project success
  • Reduce costs associated with establishing project activities and disciplines
  • Communicate objectives, activities and progress more effectively
  • Achieve consistent approach, tools and processes
  • Optimize the use of resources for PM
  • Establish clear roles and responsibilities 
  • Ensure clear accountability and commitment for key decisions and tasks
  • Enhance alignment of project objectives with business objectives
  • Satisfy timely and nimble ability to react to and deal with project issues

The SoftPMO Project Management Model is one of the four types of interrelated parts; the other three are the PMBOK® Knowledge Areas, the Project Management templates, and the Project Controls System.

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