Shifting Your Mindset to Ensure Business Value

How can a BRM begin to turn the Titanic around and get business to start realizing value from its investments? A good place to start is changing the way business approaches project delivery.

How does your business typically measure the success of a project? Do they look at whether or not the scope outlined in the scope baseline was completed? Or do they look at whether or not the project is completed on time and on budget? Even more commonly, does your business define “done” as the final sign-off on deliverables and the satisfaction of the business partner?

These age-old definitions of completed projects often do not result in true success in today’s highly efficient and outcomes-driven business environment. Why? These measures usually result in the delivery of a functionality, but not a capability.

Put another way, traditional project management has a tendency to deliver against how something is done rather than why it is done.

Can I steal a moment of your time?

How can you, the motivated and passionate BRM, initiate this shift in mindset? The most effective place to start is by performing a SWOT. It’s amazing how much one can learn about a business by simply asking “What is important to you?” or “Where are you struggling to achieve your mission?”

Along the way, you’ll encounter business partners who find value in delivering quality services, boosting net promoter scores, or providing a seamless customer journey. It all starts with the business’ mission.

Start small

The SWOT will teach you what’s at the top of business leaders’ minds, meaning you’ll just scratch the surface. And that’s okay!

Take the things you learned and start getting your hands dirty. Help the business define or refine Key Performance Indicators around the business processes that aren’t performing as expected or are key to the business’ mission. Make sure the business has access to the data required to track those KPIs and—most importantly—help them set realistic targets and timelines to achieve those KPIs.

In addition, assist the business in finding themes within the KPIs and see if those can culminate a measurable outcome. In a critical and actionable way, you can help drive the discussion around business vision and strategy, as well as get leaders to look up from the chaos of today and out to the opportunities of tomorrow.

What now?

These targeted business outcomes will turn into a list of ideas very quickly; people generate ideas very quickly when they realize they have the power to make a positive change for themselves and the organization.

Now is the time to assemble your project teams to achieve these business outcomes. This ensures that the project begins with the end goal in mind and the entire project team understands the value to be realized as a result of the project, not just the tangible deliverable.

You may find yourself having to define and measure value for each idea independently—and maybe even differently for a while.

Again, that is okay, because you’re moving in the right direction! This could be a great time to start talking about business capabilities and steering the business in the direction of a capability roadmap for the organization. In time, with your guidance, the business can build a firm strategy and a unified value definition.

Last but not least, don’t forget to celebrate success. Recognizing the work of everyone involved in realizing business value and achieving business objectives is crucial to maintaining forward momentum. Have that party!