MANAGING THE HUMAN RESOURCE PROJECT By: John T. MooneyWe obtain strategic results by aligning HR mission, vision and values. The following overview highlights a macro approach to project management. Seeking a stretch assignment, such as ownership of a major corporate HR initiative, we lead our organization by example. Strategic project management affords an exciting and challenging opportunity to direct our futures and show case our talents.
The VP of HR announces to
team that we must transition from a decentralized function to a centralized function within six months placing you in charge. The set timeframe required to realize budget improvement for immediate bottom line results. The cost savings will be unprecedented for
dozens of locations countrywide. Senior management set
expectation, on time – on budget, ensuring precise project implementation.
You take pride in your ability as an accomplished HR generalist to deliver results and get projects done. Success comes, in part, from your tactical / transactional ability to prioritize assignments and communicate
necessary timeline to managers.
By
execution of project leadership skills, you will add measurable strategic value to your organization and your own skill-set. A project assignment budgeted in
five, six or seven-figure range will require skills and HR competencies including: •communications •documentation •execution and accountability •formal controls
Strategic HR leadership necessitates project management skills that require you see
big picture. Your approach may be similar to
strategic creation of your HR mission, vision and values. Likewise,
values of a project assignment become
blueprint upon which you make project planning decisions. HR Influence Your scope of influence requires proficient skills in project plan and design. This may include a draft plan to senior management detailing how you will accomplish this task. In addition, you may be required to design assessment tools where they may not exist, or evaluate and communicate risk up line to your organization. Measurements including corporate resources, budget assumptions, timeline and accountability are typically established. These metrics develop into key result areas as they relate to time, cost and objective.