Improving Projects in the Barts and London NHS Trust

The Challenge

In order to improve project delivery and project management capability, the Trust set up a corporate Programme Support Office developed along the lines of the Office of Government Commerce's Centre of Excellence model. Key challenges included securing engagement of senior stakeholders from both the corporate and clinical environment, simplifying governance arrangements, and developing tools and processes, which encouraged information sharing without being cumbersome or bureaucratic. A key means of developing this project capability has been through the use of a Trust-specific project management methodology and associated tailored training programme, which provides savings and promotes a standard Trust-wide approach. Over time and with increasing maturity, project delivery skills are improving; further focus is required on ensuring effective planning of benefit realisation activities.

The Solution

WPM assisted the Trust by bringing their experience of implementing capability improvement programmes and identifying approaches which would maximise the appeal and impact of the training. They worked closely with Trust staff to develop materials that were both relevant and in line with Trust practice; they were responsive to the Trust's needs and able to modify content and delivery style to reflect the Trust's project management maturity.

Back to top...

WPM Delivered

  • Self analysis questionnaire to ascertain BLT project maturity and future training needs
  • Case study and exercises based on BLT real life projects for use in courses
  • Project Management Introduction course for BLT methodology (Products included key overview card, courseware and student assessment)
  • Benefits Management Course (Products included key overview card and courseware)
  • PRINCE 2 Practitioner Course (Developed to fit into 3-days with additional pre-course work)
  • Conversion Course for existing PRINCE2 practitioners to the BLT Project Management Methodology

Benefits

The development and rollout of training for BLT staff has meant

  • Common terminology
  • Clearer roles and responsibilities
  • A structured yet flexible approach to Project Management within the trust
  • Identification of BLT project management maturity and training needs
  • Flexibility, enabling movement of staff between projects without them having to learn new project management techniques

“The feedback I have received on the training courses has been extremely positive, and I'm convinced that they will contribute to a step change in our project success rate. This is a tribute to WPM’s hard work in understanding the unique world of BLT and keeping us on the straight and narrow.”

Owen Richards (Trust Programme Support Office Manager)

Back to top...