Project Management

ThoughtWare staff and consultants bring years of experience and a rational, productive approach to project management of medium to large IT projects and implementations.

We offer not only project management services but also project management mentoring and coaching.

At ThoughtWare we have taken our combined years of project management experience mixed that with Method123 Project Management Methodology¹ and A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK^® Guide). and developed our unique project management methodology -”ThoughtMethod”.

Through ThoughtMethod each project phase and activity is supported by a comprehensive set of tools and templates which enable us to bring to you productive and rational project management services.

Initiation Stage		Planning Stage		Execution Stage		Closure Stage
For a sample of our templates and processes for each stage, click in the relevant box above.

We are able to substantially reduce the time taken to undertake your project and ensure that it is completed in a manner that maximises circumstances for benefits realization.  We also bring with us a set of “management processes” to monitor and control the production of deliverables within your project — efficiently and effectively.

Whether small, medium or large projects, ThoughtMethod provides a proven approach to achieving success. Through applying our unique project investigator we are able to adapt the tools and processes to specifically apply to your unique business and technical circumstances including blending with your own methodology.

The top 3 benefits to be gained by utilizing ThoughtWare consultants are:

1. Reduces time and cost because the tools and processes that form part of ThoughtMethod have already been created and a clear lifecycle for initiating planning, executing and closing projects has already been identified
2. Reduces the impact of risks, issues and changes because there is a clear process for identifying, quantifying, approving and resolving them
3. Enhances the likelihood of success through the use of a standard, best practice, tried and proven project management methodology

We take pride in what we do — our values are consistently applied as we utilise our skills, tools and processes to deliver you measurable results.

From developing quantifiable realisable Business Cases to powerful Lessons Learned we are experienced across the spectrum — we can cover:

• Business Case
• Feasibility Study
• Terms of Reference
• Tender Process
• Contract Management
• Governance Structure
• Project Office Establishment
• Readiness Testing
• Manage Communications
• Develop Plans
• Build Deliverables
• Acceptance Testing
• Business Processes
• Training
• Issue Management
• Risk Management
• Scope/Change Control Management
• Assess and Review
• Lessons Learned

So if you are thinking about a project where you want guaranteed results — ThoughtWare consultants using ThoughtMethod is for you!

Mentoring

The Project MentorWare Mentoring Program essentially has three main elements:

• Choice of 3, 6 or 12 months business planning or professional development program
• Participants learn to become mentors and coaches, creating a positive cultural change within your organisation
• Measurable return on your investment (ROI)

At agreed time periods the participants complete a business planning or professional development topic.

At the end of that period, they meet with their “partner” who is also doing the program.

Working through structured discussion sheets, the partners challenge each other with regard to what they have learned and implemented during that period’s activities.

One of the keys to being an effective mentor and/or coach is knowing how to ask the right questions, not necessarily having all the answers. By working through the structured discussion sheets, the participants already have the questions available to them in a format that is appropriate for effective mentoring and coaching.

The third element to the program is the ROI.  Over the 6 or 12 month program the participants, either by themselves or with their partner, complete a workplace-based improvement project. This is where they identify something within their workplace that either is not working and they can see a possible way to make it work, or something that is working however they can see a possible way to make it work better and to raise the benchmark.

Over the program they do some research, complete a basic cost-benefit analysis and prepare a written report on their workplace-based improvement idea, thus providing identifiable ROI.

Additionally, there are regular feedback sheets and a 360 degree feedback process at the beginning and the end of the program.

An innovative mentoring and coaching program that delivers measurable results. And the great surprise for you is that it is cost effective from only $660 per person for the full 12 months program, and $385 per person for the 6 month program.

For more information, download the peer mentoring brochure (pdf file: 317 kb), or contact us at

Morning Sonja, Yesterday was really good ... today I feel clear on what needs to be done. Thanks for your project management guidance - its really valuable. -- Email from Stella Horgan, Safe Food Queensland