The 12 Pillars of Project Excellence

Adil Dalal is the CEO of Pinnacle Process Solutions International®. Mr. Dalal is a keynote speaker, author and an internationally recognized expert and thought leader in project leadership and Lean/Advanced Flow Technology. He is well known for pioneering several key advances in project leadership and in Lean, including Lean Project leadership™, iLean® technology, Holistic Model (Lean + iLean)® and lean4kids®. Mr. Dalal’s mission is to focus on enhancing the value of the appreciating assets and optimizing the human potential in addition to developing the necessary technical skills for ensuring the long term success of individuals and corporations. Mr. Dalal holds several degrees: a MS in Engineering Management, a MS in Mechanical Engineering, and a BS in Automotive Engineering. Additionally, he holds numerous certifications, including a Certified Project Manager (PMP), Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) and Certified Lean Bronze Professional (LBC). He is also a Certified Executive Coach. Mr. Dalal has leveraged his expertise in Project Leadership and in Advanced Flow Technology to increase the performance of organizations around the world. His mastery has made Mr. Dalal a sought after strategic business partner and executive coach as he continues to drive excellence by implementing strategies for growth and long-term success. Adil Dalal can be contacted by e-mail at adil@pinnacleprocess.com.

Introduction
Origin of the Term 'Project'
Project Management as a Career Choice
Current State of Project Management
Do Failed Projects = Failed Project Managers?
Criticality of 12 Pillars to Future of Project Leadership
Use of Force Field Analysis11 in the '12 Pillars of Project Excellence'
How can Executives Maximize Profits from Projects
How will Project leaders learn the Art of Mastering the Fundamentals of Project Leadership?
12 Simple Steps to Maximize Benefit from the 12 Pillars
Setting the Right Expectations for This Book
Transformative Power of the 12 Pillars
Please Note: 12 Pillars follows the 'Tao of Simplicity'
Tips for Using the Accompanying CD


Chapter I:
Introduction
Project Manager vs. Project Leader
Five Powers of Project Leaders
     Power of Delegation
     Power of Dynamic Leadership
     Power of Visualization
     Power of Lean Thinking
     Power of Humility
Pillar I:
Summary
Case Study
Force Field Analysis
Recommendations for Optimal Results from Force Field Analysis
Exercises
References


Chapter II:
Introduction
Factors for project failure
Project Organization Structure
Project Types
Elements of the Project Organization Structure
Responsibility Assignment Matrix
Pillar II:
Summary
Case Study
Force Field Analysis
Force Field Analysis of Organizational Assessment
Force Field Analysis of Self-Assessment
Recommendations for Optimal Results from Force Field Analysis
Exercises
|Organizational Level Skill-Set Enhancement Exercises
Personal Level Skill-Set Enhancement Exercises
References


Chapter III:
Introduction
     Delight the Customers
     How can a project vision statement be used to delight your customer?
Project vision Statement
     Definition 
     Explanation
     Example
     Why is a project vision statement important?
     How is a project vision statement created?
Steps to Create a Project vision Statement
     Create a Project Vision Committee
     Review the Charter
     Interview Key Stakeholders
     Identify the Priority Areas of Focus
     Create Initial Project Vision Statement
     Brainstorm for the Final Project Vision Statement
     Create a Final Powerful Project Vision Statement
The Goal of Creating a Project Vision Statement
     Setting higher standards versus 'Gold-Plating'
     A Permanent Project vision Statement of Project Leaders
Pillar III:
Summary
Case Study
Force Field Analysis
Force Field Analysis of Organizational Assessment
Force Field Analysis of Self-Assessment
Recommendations for Optimal Results from Force Field Analysis
Exercises
Organizational Level Skill-Set Enhancement Exercises
Personal Level Skill-Set Enhancement Exercises
References


Chapter IV
Introduction
     Why projects fail?
Ambiguous Requirements
     Importance of Gathering Accurate Requirements
     Avoiding the Pitfalls of Ambiguous Requirements
Project Charter: Setting the Longitude and Latitude for a Project
Difference between a Charter and a Vision statement
Does creating a Vision Statement and a Charter Guarantee Project Success?
Developing a Project Charter
     Contents in the project charter
Good Charter Vs. Great Charter
     Complete Buy-in from all Stakeholders
     Signature from Key Stakeholders on the Charter
Difference between use of a Charter by a Project Manager versus a Project Leader
Pillar IV:
Summary
Case Study
Force Field Analysis
Force Field Analysis of Organizational Assessment
Force Field Analysis of Self-Assessment
Recommendations for Optimal Results from Force Field Analysis
Exercises
Organizational Level Skill-Set Enhancement Exercises
Personal Level Skill-Set Enhancement Exercises
References


Chapter V:
Introduction
Why is communication so important?
Why is being an Excellent Communicator Critical?
Why is being an Excellent Communicator Critical to a Project Leader?
Mastering the Art of Excellent Communications 
Seven Ingredients to master the art of communication
Diffuse the passion









Pillar V:
Summary
Case Study
Force Field Analysis
Force Field Analysis of Organizational Assessment
Force Field Analysis of Self-Assessment
Recommendations for Optimal Results from Force Field Analysis 
Exercises
Organizational Level Skill-Set Enhancement Exercises
Personal Level Skill-Set Enhancement Exercises
References


Chapter VI:
Introduction
     Lean technology - Simplifying the project
     What is a Lean Technology?
The fundamental principles of Lean
Lean thinking in projects
     Identify and Improve Value Added activities
     Identify and Reduce Necessary Non-Value Added (NNVA) Activities
     Eliminate or Reduce Non-value Added Activities and Eliminate Waste
A Classic Example of Lean
Pillar VI:
Summary
Case Study
Force Field Analysis
Force Field Analysis of Organizational Assessment
Force Field Analysis of Self-Assessment
Recommendations for Optimal Results from Force Field Analysis 
Exercises
Organizational Level Skill-Set Enhancement Exercises
Personal Level Skill-Set Enhancement Exercises
References　


Chapter VII:
Introduction
     Reasons for waste
     Meetings- Sources for waste
The Lean Approach to Meetings
Components of a project meeting
     Input
     Tools and Techniques
     Output (Results)
Steps to Eliminate Waste in Meetings
     Step 1: Identify and eliminate non-value added meetings
     Step 2: Minimize/Eliminate non-value added time
Determination of Productive Meetings
Non-value added time in Complex projects
The Right Approach to Calculate the Project ROI using meeting costs
     ROI Calculations without considering Meeting Costs
     ROI Calculations considering Meeting Costs
     ROI Calculations considering meeting costs but reducing # of Meetings by 50%
Pillar VII:
Summary
Case Study
Force Field Analysis
Force Field Analysis of Organizational Assessment
Force Field Analysis of Self-Assessment
Recommendations for Optimal Results from Force Field Analysis 
Exercises
Organizational Level Skill-Set Enhancement Exercises
Personal Level Skill-Set Enhancement Exercises
References　


Chapter VIII:
Introduction
Risk Management
Dynamic Risk Leadership
Methodology
Create a risk assessment team
Develop an assessment strategy
Establish clear threat response plan
Unknown risks
Pillar VIII:
Summary
Case Study
Force Field Analysis
Force Field Analysis of Organizational Assessment
Force Field Analysis of Self-Assessment
Recommendations for Optimal Results from Force Field Analysis 
Exercises
Organizational Level Skill-Set Enhancement Exercises
Personal Level Skill-Set Enhancement Exercises
References　


Chapter IX:
Introduction
What is Information?
What is Data?
Why is timely availability of data critical?
Data Availability through the Ages
Age of Information Overload or Age of Too Much Information (TMI)
A Dynamic Data management Plan
Steps to Designing a Dynamic Data Management Plan
     Analysis of Project Data Requirements 
     Selection of Appropriate Data Type and Sources
     Appropriate Data Storage, Security, Retrieval and Distribution
Why is Dynamic Data Management Critical for the Future Success of Project Leaders?
Pillar IX:
Summary
Case Study
Force Field Analysis
Force Field Analysis of Organizational Assessment
Force Field Analysis of Self-Assessment
Recommendations for Optimal Results from Force Field Analysis 
Exercises
Organizational Level Skill-Set Enhancement Exercises
Personal Level Skill-Set Enhancement Exercises
References　


Chapter X:
Introduction
What is a Failure?
The Difference between a Task Failure and a Project Failure
What do 'Success' and 'Failure' mean to a Project Manager
What do 'Success' and 'Failure' mean to a Project Leader
The Three Modes of Project Failure 
     System Level failure 
     Process Level failure 
     Human Level failure
Approach to Investigate and Address Project Failures
     A Reactive analysis using the "Who" approach with primary focus on human level mode of failure
     A Proactive analysis using the "Why" approach with a focus on system and process level modes of failure
Pillar X:
Summary
Case Study
Force Field Analysis
Force Field Analysis of Organizational Assessment
Force Field Analysis of Self-Assessment
Recommendations for Optimal Results from Force Field Analysis 
Exercises
Organizational Level Skill-Set Enhancement Exercises
Personal Level Skill-Set Enhancement Exercises
References　


Chapter XI
Introduction
The impact of stress- A personal experience
What causes stress?
Ambiguous Requirements
Poor or inadequate project planning
Lack of emphasis on understanding Individuals on the Project Team
Impact of stress – an anecdote
     Introduction
     Experiment
     Observation
     Results
     Lessons Learned
Stress and Human function curve
Project managers- A ‘one size fits all' approach
Project leaders- An 'enlightened' approach
The formula for success
Pillar XI:
Summary
Case Study
Force Field Analysis
Force Field Analysis of Organizational Assessment
Force Field Analysis of Self-Assessment
Recommendations for Optimal Results from Force Field Analysis 
Exercises
Organizational Level Skill-Set Enhancement Exercises
Personal Level Skill-Set Enhancement Exercises
References　


Chapter XII:
Introduction
Valuing Our True Appreciating Assets
People: The real appreciating assets
The Pinnacle House of Project Excellence
The Unique Philosophy - Dealing with Tough Economic Times
     Strengthen the Foundation
     Low tide exposes all sharp edges
Create Leaders and Leave a legacy
Reward Consistency of Excellence





Pillar XII:
Summary
Case Study
Force Field Analysis
Force Field Analysis of Organizational Assessment
Force Field Analysis of Self-Assessment
Recommendations for Optimal Results from Force Field Analysis 
Exercises
Organizational Level Skill-Set Enhancement Exercises
Personal Level Skill-Set Enhancement Exercises
References　
Summary


Summary of 12 Pillars
Conclusion
Five Simple Steps to 'Now, Go Do It' 
     Know the Purpose-Pursue it!
     Winning is Habit - Cultivate it!
     There will be Resistance -Face It! 
     Passion is a Requirement - Show it! 
     Sky is the Limit - Reach for it!





Conclusion:
Summary
References
Appendix