Project Management

Virtual Xpert is a keen believer in applying a rigorous, structured, process-oriented project management (PM) approach to every piece of work we undertake. Our principal consultant is a member of the Project Management Institute (PMI®) and is currently undertaking study towards his Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification.

Our belief is that each project requires a unique application of PM tools and techniques, depending on the project's size, complexity and strategic importance. Although we usually recommend a PM approach based on the PMI's body of knowledge ( PMBOK®), we also have a good knowledge of the PRINCE2 methodology. We believe this latter approach is particularly relevant for large and complex engineering projects or projects in government organisations.

Recently the Scrum method has garnered popularity in software projects. This approach assumes that the true scope, boundaries and environmental variables of any project cannot be comprehensively understood and predicted. Therefore project teams should self-organise to identify, analyse and react to changes and requirements in an agile fashion (Mayer, 2006). Virtual Xpert accepts that this premise is largely true, and has introduced several ideas from Scrum into our PM process. For example, we attempt to minimise regular status meetings, instead conferring with project stakeholders on an as-needs basis, we encourage team members to be honest and vocal about project issues and ensure teams engage in regular meetings to brainstorm about risks, issues and strategies to mitigate them.

Virtual Xpert can devise a project methodology tailored to your specific requirements that ensures the best likelihood of meeting your business goals on time and on budget. We can put together project teams, or, work with teams that are already assembled. The methodologies we recommend are the same ones we use for software projects in our custom software business, so you can rest assured that we practice what we preach. See our consulting and custom software pages for more information on the kinds of PM-related projects we undertake.