2. Background
Within the Government of Canada, project management is about establishing clear accountabilities, defining objectives and outcomes and establishing the scope, planning, monitoring and reporting controls for project activities. Project management methodologies are generally used for focused, non-repetitive, time-limited activities with some degree of risk, as well as for activities beyond the usual scope of program (operational) activities.
New government-wide policy on project management
Until April 2019, project management was governed by the Treasury Board (TB) Policy on the Management of Projects (2009). As of April 11, 2019, it was replaced by the TB Policy on the Planning and Management of Investments and the Directive on the Management of Projects and Programmes. The objective of the new policy suite is to ensure that the Government of Canada makes informed investment decisions and implements them through well-managed projects and procurements, leading to better delivery of programs and services to Canadians.
Organizational Project Management Capacity Assessment and Project Complexity and Risk Assessment
According to the TB policy instruments, the appropriate approval authority for each project is established through the relationship between the departmental Organizational Project Management Capacity Assessment (OPMCA) and the Project Complexity and Risk Assessment (PCRA) of the project. The OPMCA tool assesses whether a department has appropriate processes and controls in place to effectively manage projects, deliver expected results and limit the risk to stakeholders. The Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) reviews and confirms the departmental rating every three years. The PCRA tool assesses an individual project’s complexity and risk, to determine the appropriate level of project approval and expenditure authority.
On March 31, 2018, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) was successful in renewing its OPMCA Class 2 rating. This rating allows ECCC to approve individual projects up to $5 million. ECCC is required to complete a PCRA for each project above the $5 million threshold. Projects with a PCRA score that is higher than the department’s OPMCA Class 2 rating require TBS oversight.
Project management at ECCC
Over the past four years, ECCC has formalized its approach towards project management by investing in the development of the Department’s project management capacity. In August 2016, ECCC established the Departmental Project Management Office (DPMO) within the Corporate Services and Finance Branch, under the direction of the Chief Information Officer.
The DPMO performs project oversight and provides project guidance and support to project teams within ECCC. The DPMO implemented a dashboard for the reporting process and produces the Project Portfolio Health reportthat is provided every two months to the Executive Management Committee members. It is also responsible for building project management capacity within ECCC by providing training and networking opportunities.
In May 2017, the DPMO developed the Department’s Project Management Framework (PMFFootnote 1 ), in consultation with subject-matter experts from all branches and by leveraging the industry standard Project Management Institute’s Project Management Body of Knowledge. In October 2019, the Executive Management Committee approved the revised ECCC PMF with new and improved processes, templates, tools and guidelines.
The Project Management Advisory Committee, established in August 2018, is responsible for project gating oversight and for improving project management processes and practices, as set out in the ECCC PMF. Gating oversight applies to both IM/IT and real-property and infrastructure projects. The Director of the DPMO chairs the Project Management Advisory Committee, which includes key ECCC project stakeholders from IM/IT, real-property projects, procurement, finance, IT security, human resources, communications and privacy . The Project Management Advisory Committee recommends project gating decisions to the Chief Information Officer for approval.
In its FY 2018 to 2019 to FY 2022 to 2023 Departmental Investment Plan, ECCC plans to invest $35.92 million in nine new projects and will continue work on 28 active projects, for an estimated overall investment of $550.43 million.