Ensuring Successful Project Outcomes While Doing More With Less - Interview with: Steve Pulman, Founder & Managing Director, Asq Projects

1. Interview with: Steve Pulman,
Founder & Managing Director, Asq
Projects
As Chief Information Officers (CIOs)
continue to be expected to “do more
with less”, many are running projects of
transformational change to meet
business objectives. However, choosing
a single best practice methodology,
whether it is Lean, Agile, PRINCE2 or
Waterfall, etc., often is not enough to
get the best outcomes. CIOs need to
think about how to ensure best possible
project outcomes by appropriately using
both project and change management
disciplines. This will improve the
likelihood of success exponentially,
according to Steve Pulman, Founder &
Managing Director, Asq Projects. “The
reason why 80 per cent of projects fail
is because technology and process is
put before people. CIOs should focus
less on the software or vendor, and
more on the people and customers and
the meaningful outcome that will define
success,” he advises.
Asq Projects is a sponsor company at
the marcus evans 13th Annual CIO
Summit taking place in the Gold Coast,
Queensland, Australia, 28 - 30 July
2014.
When should CIOs combine differ-
ent methodologies?
There are very few projects, particularly
in the Information Technology (IT)
space, that can be delivered very neatly
within a single methodology. IT projects
involve people at such a profound level
that they will never fit neatly into a
single approach.
With many methodologies to choose
from, how can CIOs select the best
combination?
CIOs must consider the desired out-
come, how they will define success for
the business, and what it will take to get
there. What is the project about? If they
are delivering a server, network,
security or an application, they may
prefer to combine methodologies for
specific pieces or phases of the project.
In consideration of the amount of access
to stakeholders and resources, they
may be better positioned to use a
specific methodology over another. It
depends on the situation.
Not being tied to a specific methodol-
ogy, in-fact promoting a blended
approach, means we can help CIOs
cherry-pick the best approach for each,
so they can deliver their desired
outcome as quickly and efficiently as
possible.
How can CIOs help develop a
competitive advantage for the
organisation?
By recognising that people run the
business, not the technology. It is
people using the tools. Everything that
the CIO does touches the people in the
business and helps the organisation be
successful, so forgetting that would be a
big mistake.
CIOs should not look at projects
wearing just the CIO hat but adopt a
business leadership role and provide a
holistic approach, which includes the
people and business dimensions
(cultural or transformational), as well as
the transformation of technology and
business processes. Recognising the
impact of change in a business, or any
type of project, will put the organisation
ahead of the game.
From technology trends should CIOs
prepare for?
Two trends that come up repeatedly are
the advent of BYOD (Bring Your Own
Device) and SaaS (Software as a
Service). Both will cause far-reaching
change in organisations and will require
a shift in thinking.
It makes sense for businesses to
support BYOD, as it reduces costs, but
in the short-term there will be a need to
increase support as they adopt the
change and shift perceptions regarding
security and responsibility.
With particular regard to BYOD; whilst
the project management element may
be fairly straight-forward, there is a
need to win the hearts and minds of
users, and bring them on the journey as
to why it makes sense for them to bring
their own device to work.
CIOs should
not look at
projects
wearing just
the CIO hat
Ensuring Successful Project Outcomes
While Doing More With Less

2. The Information Technology
Network - marcus evans
Summits deliver peer-to-peer
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p r o f e s s i o n a l t r e n d s a n d
breakthrough innovations.
Please note that the Summit is a
closed business event and the
number of participants strictly
limited.
About the Australian CIO Summit 2014
The Australian CIO Summit is the premium forum bringing elite buyers and sellers
together. As an invitation-only event taking place behind closed doors, the summit
offers enterprise and government chief information officers and IT solution
providers an intimate environment for a focused discussion of key drivers for IT
innovation. This unique forum will take place at the newly-renovated RACV Royal
Pines Resort, Gold Coast, Queensland, 28 - 30 July 2014. The Summit features
presentations on implementing the right cloud model, crafting simple and powerful
mobile solutions, streamlining processes and living up to shifting realities for the IT
leader.
www.australianciosummit.com
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About Asq Projects
Asq Projects delivers flexible, vendor agnostic, IT Project and Change Management consulting, services and resourcing solutions.
Providing clear, successful outcomes to mid- and top-tier customers across Asia-Pac from offices in Sydney and Singapore.
Established in 2001 by career Programme and Project Manager, Steven Pulman - Asq continues to run projects for its foundation
enterprise customer, typifying its objective of collaborative, sustainable, long-term customer relationships.
Customer in Transport & Logistics, Pharma & Health, Government & Public Sector, IT & Telecoms, and Finance & Insurance.
www.asqprojects.com
About marcus evans Summits
marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss
strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to
individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, case studies, roundtables and one-to-one business meetings.
For more information, please visit: www.marcusevans.com
To view the web version of this interview, please click here: www.australianciosummit.com/StevePulman