Using the Project Management Maturity Model, 3rd Edition

CHAPTER 9Level 5: Continuous Improvement

Characteristics

At the previous level, the organization began benchmarking against other companies. At Level 5, the organization evaluates the information learned during benchmarking and implements the changes necessary to improve the project management process. It is at this level that the company comes to the realization that excellence in project management is a never-ending journey.

There are four characteristics of Level 5, as shown in Figure 9.1

Figure 9.1 Characteristics of Level 5.

• The organization must create lessons-learned files from the debriefing sessions at the end of each project. Case studies on each project, discussing mistakes made and knowledge learned, are critical so that mistakes are not repeated.
• The knowledge learned on each project must be transferred to other projects and teams. This can be accomplished through quarterly or semiannual lessons-learned forums or from lessons-learned case studies discussed in training programs.
• The company must recognize that a mentorship program should be put in place to groom future project managers. Knowledge and lessons-learned information can be transmitted through the mentorship program as well. The mentorship program is best administered through a project management office (PMO) or a center of excellence (COE).
• The final characteristic of Level 5 is a corporate-wide ...