The introduction of a new project management process at the City of Tea Tree Gully in South Australia was a response to a need to significantly improve the overall performance in the management and delivery of projects.
Council’s General Manager Infrastructure and Environment, John Devine, said one of the key areas of change has been improved communication.
“It clarified roles and established guidelines and procedures,” he said. “Introducing the system has improved Council’s performance in the delivery of our 2003–04 programs for capital works.
“Staff have clear definitions of the respective roles and responsibilities of all participants in the process. We have achieved better programming of works and recognised the need to plan for competing resources.”
He said improved methods for preparing budgets now includes allowances for contingencies and consultants’ fees.
“There are now clear definitions of project outcomes guided by standard templates available from the local intranet. A matrix approach to the project teams allows for project team members to be established from different departments from all areas of the organisation.
“The efficient use of resources through programming projects avoids or minimises conflicts.”
John Devine said the benefits to the community are that projects are delivered on time and on budget.
“The next stage is to push up the life cycle of the project into the planning and design stages,” he said. “Linking Contract Management to the Project Management System is another priority for 2004–05. Value management techniques are also to be introduced to ensure better value for money solutions are delivered.”
For more information contact John Devine on (08) 8397 7111.
