Fellow eLoungers:

Do any of you subscribe to SMART(tm) project methodology?  This is a relatively new methodology by Dr. Francis Hartman, and is a compatible counterpart to PMBOK methodology.

My organization is looking at subscribing to this as a potential project credo, beyond our current PMI methodology.

Paul,

I have created methodologies for companies around the world and I usually start the discussion from my website and in particular my methodology site (http://home.comcast.net/~projectmgmt).  I have worked with Method1, RUP, and other methdologies throughout the years and have observed the following:

1)  Most methdologies are created at a much higher maturity level than the current company maturity level (yes, you can teach quantum physics to 3rd graders...but why?)

2) Most are too complicated.  I have a very easy quick reference guide I have used over the years to help define your process (phases), define roles, define the success criteria for each phase, define activities normally taking place during the phase (with flexibility to account for the unseen), and define deliverables.  I don't like to give a company 50 templates when 15 will do with the flexibility to have others to make work easier.  If a project team member needs a Phd. to follow a methodology, you are defeating the purpose of the methodology.  It should be a guide to increase the efficiency of delivery, not a hinderance.

3) Many are aimed at the wrong audience.  The methodology should help the team perform, not serve as a source of negative reviews from management. It should be a guideline for success, not a benchmark for negative actions or appraisals. 

If purchased or built in this light, it can be a great experience. 

Well said, John.

Any venture should begin at the place the customer is at.  In this case: any pm methodology must be matched to the culture and maturity level of the group.

The reason I raise the S.M.A.R.T. methodology is because it is both beginner-friendly, and quite sophisticated, all at once.

I may not be the best person to answer this question as I developed SMART Project Management(r). There are a growing number of users of the framework, most of whom have developed their own individualized version (usually by company or enterprise).

The key tenets are, as you pointed out, quite simple. The challenge for some is that it requires thinking at a level beyond the technician, and more at the exective level by the project manaer, the project sponsor and key team members. 

Clients that use the system are varied. A recent publication by the University of Calgary quotes a couple of users. a PDF version of this report can be found at http//www.ucalgary.ca/news/march06/RIA.pdf

Also http//www,smartmanagement.ca offers further information and training opportunities.

For partners (one example), try http//www.projectcontrolgroup.com

I hope this helps.

Francis Hartman.

Very good points.... we have an expression where I work...

"Don't feed the process."