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Background about Comau
Comau is offering of full services for automotive and aerospace product engineering, production systems
and maintenance services. Comau is composed by approx. 12.000 employees, 38 Legal entities in 19
Countries (www.comau.com). The Comau business portfolio is composed by Body & Welding, Powertrain,
Engineering, Services and Robotics products. The business centers are supported by the central functions
(Contract & Project Management - Finance, Administration and Control - Human Resources - Legal &
Corporate Affairs - Compliance Officer), all operating all over the world.
Description of the problem
As a company providing services for worldwide customers, Comau has been performing very well during the
80s. In the 90s Comau started performing many company acquisitions all over the globe, for example, in the
year 1999 the headcount was increased by 30% (approximately + 3.000 employees just in this year,
achieving a total of approx. 20.000), but as a result, without applying efforts in the integration and also in
synchronized strategies, for many years, the company has been operating in a difficult financial situation.
Until this time, Project Management in Comau, generally speaking, was executed in a very fragmented way
and there werent culture, methodologies, processes and guidelines in place. In 2007, an urgent, efficient
and global approach was requested to be implemented. The goal was: the global integration for competitive
advantage, simplicity and results orientation.
The Solution from a cluster to an effective networkIn the year 2007, Comau has decided to reinforce the project management culture creating the Contract &
Project Management corporate function. Under the vice-president of contract & project management, the
new team was organized. In few words, here are the main guidelines for the mission:
1. Company Organizational Development and the Implementation of Global Organizational Policies.
2. The reinforcement of the Enterprise Project Management and the Project Management Office
Structure.
3. The Comau Project Management Academy The continuous development of knowledge and skills.
In the next sections, we describe some of the main actions performed by the PMO; as a business solution.
We need to mention that since the very beginning, the perception of developing both HARD and SOFT Skills
in harmony was in place, and this approach in many different ways, is guiding the development of the PMO
activities.
1) Company Development and the Implementation of the Organizational Policies.
During the year 2007, a global Project Management Policy has been developed and an intensive training
program based in the PMBOK took place in Italy. In this year, project management benchmarks have been
also performed to measure the maturity level and organize the first action plan and define priorities for the
improvement of the maturity. The global policy is a project management policy that describes the job that all
the projects teams must perform and must be applied globally. The policy is directly connected to the PMI
PMBOK, best practices. One important point to identify is that the company decided to join both contract
Italy 2008 Comau The PMO as a global business solutionThe PMO One Company One Family
By Mauro Fenzi Comau Vice President and Alexandre Srensen Ghisolfi Corporate PMO Manager
http://www.comau.com/http://www.comau.com/8/9/2019 Comau PMO the PMO as a Global Business Solution ENG
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management and also project management in a single unit. It is a very important innovation in this field, and
many positive results have been achieved, as we demonstrate in the next pages.
2) The reinforcement of the Enterprise Project Management and the Project Management Office
Structure
Today the Comau Portfolio included in the PMO is a multi million euro revenues group of global projects,
automotive and aerospace projects, working in more than 30 countries.
The Comau Project Management Office is composed by four different geographical areas: Corporate PMO
Europe, PMO North America, PMO South America and PMO Asia. The team, international experts in project,
program and portfolio management is called the Project Management family; it is composed by Project
Managers, Program Managers, Planners, Controllers and Team Members. The whole company is focused to
provide our customers with high quality products, projects and services.
The PMO is:
High Level PMO Execution Road Map (for 2007-2008-2009)
As a business solution, here are some important reasons why we have developed the PMO and the
application of Project Management in Comau:
1. Empower the Comau ability to perform integrations and work adding value in the value/supply chain as
the number one market integrator.
2. Develop a high standard international class compliant project management culture/approach.
3. Better support sales increasing project success through pro-active project planning and risk reduction
strategies.
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4. Develop a culture able to synchronize language with Comau customers, reduce misunderstandings in
the projects definitions and executions and supporting trustful communications through the projects.
5. Help achieve the best workload optimization reducing costs for our customers.
6. Develop the technical language when working to standardize a global approach, e.g. WBS Powertrain
Italy and France. In this case, making possible to exchange parts between products and project teams in
different countries. Achieving better planning, execution, cost control, workload planning and leveling,
risks management, communication and quality.
7. Support in the identification and the management of situations out of project scope, resulting in better
benefits for Customers, Comau and Providers.
8. Optimize processes and the reporting systems, avoiding waste of time and making possible to spend
more time managing critical issues.
9. Contribute to the company integration, sharing informations, visions and strategies, including start-upsof strategic projects.
10. Create a strong team of high skilled Managers and Technicians. A Team able to support difficult projects
and high pressure situations.
Figure: PMO Organizational Structure
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The idea was to create a small but strong and empowered team to make possible to be fast and to properly
control indirect costs and add business value. In a matrix organization, the PMO team works directly with all
the other departments, finance, controlling, human resources, engineering, production, sales, supply chain,
IT, etc.
The PMO team, very soon, has started developing change agents inside each one of the organizational
business units and achieving some quick wins solutions. All the managers are working using delegated
powers and having the Vice President and Country CEOs as strong sponsors.
The regional PMOs are reporting to the Corporate PMO and also to the CEO of the regional area. The CEOs
are also important sponsors and interested people in making the PMO evolution happen.
3) The Comau Project Management Academy - A common base of knowledge and skills
In 2008, the Comau Academy became a PMI, Project Management Institute, REP- Registered Education
Provider.
Under the Corporate PMO, the Academy provides a training curriculum to ensure that the technical
workforce shares a common base of knowledge and skills. Comau also strongly urges Project Managers in
achieving the PMP certification.
Providing worldwide services for automotive and aerospace projects. We will describe the program in more
details in the next pages.
Results - Benefits
In the next pages, we describe some of the results we have achieved which are measurable, but we also
need to mention that there many other results, which are difficult to measure, for example, results from the
company integration efforts, leadership, coaching, mentoring, etc. Apart from the positive financial results,here are some important results following the respective action (in more details).
1) Growth in the PM global Organizational Policies applications, maturity growth.
As a result of the application
of the many improvements
actions and audits, the
following results have been
achieved. We need to share
that each point of the
Comau execution policy isalso directly connected to
the PMBOK best practices.
The company is acquiring
consistency in the
application of the project
management techniques
worldwide.
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2) The Project Management family has demonstrated the viability of applying global work
processes, and now, other functional groups are following the steps and guidelines organizing similar
actions. This is a very important and new business orientation guided by the Comau Project
Management Family (PMO).
3) Comau Project, Program and Leadership Academy Developing maturity Project
Management is leading the business
As an official PMI Registered education provider, the Comau PM internal Academy is providing training
programs to develop the required skills for our projects. After 1.5 year of existence, the PM Academy has
trained hundreds of people worldwide. The following training programs are in place
- The Project Management Framework, Scope Management, Time and Cost Management, Risk
Management, Planning and Updating Workshop, The Project Management Professional Certification
Program, Procurement Management, Program Management and Multiple Projects, Leadership,
Change, Communication and Problem Solving, Contract Management.
Figure: PMO - PM Academy hard skills development strategy for 2009.
PMO resume of innovations results as a business solution for the Company (not inorder of importance). Some of these innovations have provided important quick wins for the
organization and the PMO!
1) Consistency in the Report to the Customer process: Better customer relationship, Customers
recognizing the Professional Project Management that Comau is applying. Many customers have
expressed their satisfaction when working with Comau. For example, the Report to the Customer
process was applied generating positive results. We share some customers feedback in the next pages.
2) The Project Management Family, (project managers, planners and controllers). A real perception of
integration and team work has been developed. People start sharing best practices and trying to solve
common problems together. In this family we started joining project and program managers, planners
and controllers. The concept of professional families is growing.
3)
Figure: Some examples of Comau PM deliverables, PMI based.
Standardization - The ProjectManagement integrated approach
applied for all the company business
units and countries. All business
units sharing the same PM goals,
guidelines, training and reporting
systems, has made possible to
synchronize the different departments,
achieving better quality in the
communications, definitions and
measurement of the key performance
indicators.
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4) PMP Certified growth:From January 2008 to December 2008, in one year, we have trained about 20
PMP Certified professionals; it represents approx 15% of the total, and more are expected to be certified
in the next weeks. Considering that our Project Managers travel a lot, it is a very good result for Comau.
From the Individual growth and development to the organization results!
5)
6)
7)
8) Straight Connection between Contract Management and Project Management and Execution (asmentioned before), bringing consistency, avoiding risks and money losing for Comau.
Comau Project Management Family
On-Line Global Virtual Community
Using a collaboration tool, for the first
time in the Company, the Comau
project management global family has
started sharing knowledge between
projects, products and innovation ideas
and now other groups are starting using
it.
Portfolio Program and Projects
Reporting Dashboard and Traffic
Lights - A professional approach to
the Portfolio Management System. A
simply and common approach was
applied to all countries and business
units. A systematic project review is
already in place where the company
Board of Directors can analyze the
project status, define priorities, etc. It
is a monthly review in each business
unit. Projects indicators are
improving within time.
Organizational Common language - The Comau
Project Management Book of Best Practices. A
collection of project management articles and
organization policies, guidelines and templates have
been developed, it was important to disseminate the
message not only in Italy but globally.
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9) Development of a dedicated Human Resources Structure, dedicated to the Project Management Family
development. An important action bringing attention and empowering the application of Project
Management.
10) The Project, Program and Leadership Academy. (Described in the previous pages).
11) Company development: The high support to the PMP Certification, from the Board of Directors, PMs can
perform many professional project management training and also have the certification sponsored by
Comau.
12) Company development and motivation:For example, the creation of the Comau Project Management
Award, where Comau is receiving many professional and real examples of the application of our project
management global policy. It has an interesting action to create motivation, innovation and also
discipline when performing project management. In 2009, the winners are going to be awarded in a
special event.
13) The application of global policies, project management procedures. For the first time, all different teamsin the globe are applying the same practices. Many audits have also been performed without resistances
and generating positive improvement actions (see growth results in the previous pages).
14) Continuous PM meetings, round tables and feedback sessions to share strategy and actions to all levels
of management. Many informal meetings have been performed with the goal of sharing the information
and the strategy for the next actions. It has also generated the required environment to make gradual
and positive changes in the company culture. The buy-in feeling has also been developed during these
meetings.
15) Monthly communication reporting the news and actions to all levels of the company. Using the intranet,
consistent monthly feedbacks for all the company are available, showing that something was happening
with real and positive results. It creates a chain of positive reactions.
16) Strategic Planning - The PMO has strongly contributed to the perception of being a Global Corporation
also contributing for important strategic decisions and project start-ups.
4) Some External Customers Feedback
a. Mitsubishi Motors CompanyComaus Project Management Methodology is really new to us, it
seems large advantage about planning and controlling. The use of PMI knowledge makes a
new vision for our new suppliers
b. AIRBUS: Comau has a strong and professional project management experience and
approach
c. Brilliance-Auto "Thank you for the timely updated project status report, we hope this kind of
report could continue...
d. General Motors ShanghaiCOMAU is the quickest and most reactive supplier in SGM
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5) Some Internal Customers Feedback (from Project Managers, Planners and Controllers) to the
question:
Please, write a sentence that can describe your feeling about the PMO (in a PMO feedback session):
Some Lessons Learned
Here, we describe some of the most important lessons learned from our PMO experience.
1. The ability of sharing best practices and organizational standards is even more important when
working globally. It allows the exchange of information, work products, workload sharing, resource
leveling, etc.
2. People participation: we need to say that it is not easy to have all the people understanding the
future advantages and effectively participating; it is related to the different knowledge, experiencesand power/authority people have. The ability of making people participate is critical for change,
speed and buy-in.
3. Develop "quick-wins" is an important motivator.
4. Make people feel secure about the future is a buy-in motivator. Today the importance of project
management as a business solution for a global company is a strong motivator for the PM Family.
5. Increase communication, transparency and the "open doors" philosophy.
6. Start developing the Project Management and Program Management is important but not enough,
the whole company must understand the business model of management by projects.
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7. Education: It is the basis for development, our people must learn from somebody elses mistakes!
Develop both "hard skills" and "soft skills", create the foundation for change and PM application.
8. Education: Leadership is becoming every day a key issue.
9. Apply efforts in consistency. In the beginning it is not so much a question about quality, it is a
question about culture and discipline, better quality will arrive in the next rounds.
10. All of the actions have demonstrated to Comau that the organization must apply consistent efforts in
project management best practices to achieve better business results and improve the way of doing
things. From sales, contract management, production and after sales, all the company is passing
through an educational program and also acting to support the application. It really represents a big
change for the company.
11. The PMO is demonstrating value through the application of principles of integration, simplicity,
results orientation, flexibility, discipline and continuous maturity improvement.
12. The Corporate PMO is also providing important value to the business through the integration,
empowering opportunities and performing strategic projects. When performing strategic projects the
perception of value and the return of investment are directly and positively impacted. It is a natural
consequence since this strategic PMO has a wide vision of the company entities, customers and
products. THE POWER OF INTEGRATION!
13. The project management approach has demonstrated that other functional groups must be equally
developed to make possible the application of the professional project management, reducing
barriers and generating better products.
14. When working in an matrix organization, to develop a Project Management Family has absolutely
contributed to the Project Management application.
The future of the PMO - Comau The PMO...One Company...One
Family
1. Increase the company integration, connecting Strategy to Actions (business execution and results).
2. In the future, the PMO and the PM Academy will expand activities to transfer the knowledge,
teaching Customers and Providers, becoming even more a business integration agent. In the plan,
we have also scheduled the development of internal certification programs for the organizationalbusiness and operational processes.
3. The PMO will be even more important to the future on-going globalization and optimization of the
company. Connecting Strategies, processes and actions. Connecting people, customers and
providers, in simple and flexible goal oriented solutions.
4. The PMO future is showing a future of growth and improvements, mainly bringing additional
functional departments for the family.
5. Growth as a simple team structure, strong and empowered team ofleaders.
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Photo: The PMO - Project Management Family Sponsored by the Corporate Project
Management Office
Turin Italy - 2008.
In few words, AS A BUSINESS SOLUTION, THE COMAU PMO IS :
The more global the Company is, the more the PMO becomes a key agent! The
Power of Integration.
The PMO in Comau is about connecting Strategy to Business Execution,
Closing the GAP.
Professional and Modern Project Management is leading Comau business.
Our PMO is about addressing strategic and cultural issues transforming into
business value. Project Management is for the whole company!.
Our PMO is a single unit, which represents a global Family!.
Key words for our PMO: Integration (company and people), Simplicity, Flexibility,
Optimization, Efficiency, Value, Improvement of Organizational Maturity Level.
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