Defence

Defence Materiel Organisation

People skilling high priority in DMO

Noting the vital importance of people in helping to achieve organisational goals, the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) has made a significant investment in skilling its project managers over recent years. Ben Wickham explains.

In February 2007, DMO hosted the inaugural International Project Management Symposium, and a four day project management simulation targeted at developing 40 of the organisation’s most senior project managers. These events are important initiatives for DMO to maintain its position as a leader in complex project management skilling.

Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the DMO, Kim Gillis, said DMO was breaking new ground in its strategy to develop the skills of senior project managers involved in the delivery of complex projects.

“The intention of the Symposium was for DMO project managers to network and learn from each other, their peers in comparable organisations and from experienced international project managers. We invited some of the most experienced project managers in the world to share their experiences in working on complex multi million dollar global projects,” Mr Gillis said.

Over 120 participants from DMO, Defence Industry, the Public Service and overseas organisations attended the International Project Management Symposium held at the Australian Defence Force Academy on 9 February 2007.

Presenters at this high-profile event included the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF), Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, Dr Ken Henry, Secretary to the Treasury, Mr Jeffrey Worley, Vice President of Boeing USA, Mr Kim Gillis, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the DMO and Mr Al Volpe, Senior Project Director at Kellog Brown and Root, USA. In addition, a panel discussion included high profile speakers such as Mr Ali Baghei, Vice President of Thales, Australia.

The theme of the symposium was ‘Transforming from Project Managers to Leaders’. The CDF, in his presentation, set the tone for the day by commenting that, “Leadership is what differentiates high performing organisations.” Dr Henry focused on the importance of senior project managers to understand the political process and be media savvy. Dr Henry also urged senior DMO project managers to anticipate media coverage and to manage relationships with the media rather than be reactive. The two international speakers, Mr Volpe and Mr Worley, shared their experience and insights in managing complex global projects.

The symposium was followed by a four-day project management simulation delivered by DMO, in partnership with Boeing USA, to 40 of the organisation’s most senior project managers. Participants worked on realistic scenarios, were observed and received feedback from executive project managers in Boeing International and DMO.

“The simulation was intended to see how project managers perform under pressure, how they make decisions and use the relevant project management tools”, Mr Gillis said.

Both events are significant elements of the certification program for senior project managers in the DMO (EL 2–SES Band 2/Mil E). The skilling program for DMO project managers is underpinned by the Project Management Certification Framework, which has four levels of certification linked to the acquisition category of a project. Under the Acquisition Category (ACAT) Framework, capital equipment projects in DMO are classified into four categories based on cost, complexity, schedule and commercial attributes. The most complex projects are categorised as ACAT I and the least complex projects are ACAT IV.

During the week of the simulation, DMO hosted the inaugural meeting of the College of Complex Project Managers. This was attended by the ‘fellows’ of the College – 10 internationally recognised leaders in complex project management. The Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, Bruce Billson MP, attended the event.

Mr Billson commented that the establishment of the college reflects growing concern about a global shortage of trained complex project managers.

“In Australia, the Department of Defence is taking a leading role in addressing the demand for complex project managers,” Mr Billson said.

“The Department is developing a competency standard for complex project managers and is supporting the establishment of the College of Complex Project Managers.

“No other agencies or corporations have approached as advanced as DMO’s methods of codifying complex project management competencies.”

The competency standard establishes a benchmark for the development of project managers involved in managing complex projects. Beyond the symposium and simulation, DMO will implement a flexible learning and development program including an Executive Level Masters Degree to be developed in partnership with the Defense Acquisition University, USA, and the Military Defence College Schrivenham, United Kingdom.

In addition, shorter, targeted information sessions and development programs will be held throughout the year.

For further information on the symposium and simulation, contact Shalini Dantan on (02) 6265 3963. For information on the College of Complex Project Managers contact Stephen Hayes on (02) 6265 2680.

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