PPI as a Individual Contributors

Background

Client projects aimed at productivity improvement take many forms. Many projects are work-in-progress and have various resource allocation needs that vary throughout the project lifecycle. PPI professionals are often used to fill gaps that result from temporary res fource shortages. In these instances, it is advantageous to view PPI professionals as supplemental staff.

Our expertise doesn't change however; clients still receive highly qualified professionals who make immediate contributions to help bring projects to fruition. PPI's approach to employing the highest quality staff follows.

Only Experienced Professionals

PPI takes a different approach than most competitors to staff selection and employment. The process starts out by only hiring experienced professionals, talented individuals with > 15 years experience. In addition, all our staff go through a rigorous 9-Step Certification process. This process utilizes high standards to qualify, train and coach staff to high performance levels. As a result, PPI staff are able to demonstrate hit-the-ground running expertise on client projects. In fact, PPI staff consist of only three levels: Manager, Senior Manager or Partner. Finally, we endorse specialization as a key ingredient of staff quality. An overview of PPI staff qualifications follow.

IT Driven Specialization

Information technology projects drive many business improvements. Sustainable productivity gains are usually centered in IT initiatives. Consequently, all PPI staff have significant experience in IT related projects. They understand many of the key aspects of IT operations, including SLAs, end-user challenges, resource allocation constraints and ongoing budget shortages.

Focused Skill Sets

Consequently, the majority of our workforce has centered expertise in one or more of the following competencies:

Project Manager
PPI staff are heavily experienced in project management. They have run projects as outside consultants and as internal functional managers. Some of the proven PM methodologies utilized on a consistent basis by PPI PMs include Agile Management, Critical Chain, Lean, PRISM and process-based management.
Business Analyst
PPI Business Analysts are well versed in the various facets of meeting the blended requirements of both IT and User communities. Business Analysts competencies include technical knowledge, writing skills, interviewing & information gathering prowess and analytical expertise. These assets contribute to efficient and effective performance on projects critical to client IT Groups.
Process Reengineer
These professionals have strong backgrounds in both functional business processes and IT-driven processes. They assist clients analyze many aspects of both processes and identify opportunities for process improvement. Many clients utilize them to implement enhancements and establish improved process standards.
Technical Writer
Technical writing skills are a part of a strong foundation in performing all of the aforementioned project roles. The ability to interview, understand, analyze and evaluate functional and IT information is an essential competency of all PPI Technical Writers.

Roles	Activity Examples	Sample Results
Business Analysts	Identify needs of business users and stakeholders Document business requirements and business rules Analyze & synthesize information from many parts of the organization Develop test scripts & scenarios to ensure business needs are met Analyze data structures and system interfaces Assess operational service model aspects Assess operational and financial risks and their controls Assess automated vs. manual work activities Assess IT and functional workflows	Created a standardized performance management and metric model (Executive dashboard with supporting metrics) Validated proper skill sets required for 35 roles within a business unit Created a Risk matrix for the organization identifying 122 operational and financial risks Compiled business requirements from operation to IT group Created total transparency and linkages between 85 process flow maps (level I through level 9) Documented a client's entire data structure (6500 data fields) Created an IT system inventory identifying IT supported and User Developed applications for an entire business unit
Project Manager	Establish project expectations, roles responsibilities Establish project management structure, protocols, escalation processes, communication plans Create project plans Track and assess impact of changes to project scope Coordinate resources and needed skill sets Compile and report on project status Manage staff, work schedules and assignments Lead project management meetings and sessions	Delivered large scale project on time within budget ($800m) Established procedures and protocols across numerous operational, IT and corporate groups Maintain project momentum and report on continuous wins Ensured communication and project understanding throughout the project team of 255 staff Created 70 custom reports for international business acquisition Minimize project scope creep and excess project expenditures Created online project tracking and custom reports for 85 users Implemented customized PM methodologies on a system integration which realized a 32% productivity savings
Technical Writer	Research, document & validate process/task details with subject matter experts Develop accurate documents at appropriate levels of detail (e.g. technical manuals, step-by-step instructions, job aids, FAQs, policies & procedures, etc.) Document company policies Document standard operating procedures Document business requirements	Documented 235 SOPs within 3 months Compiled a Knowledge management system resulting in efficiency savings of 20% Acted a business liaison between IT for a large scale System integration Documented 185 Process and data flows in four months Exceeded regulatory and compliance audit documentation requirements resulting in a clean audit opinion Learning and development leveraged process documentation in training classes resulting in 65% cost reduction
Business Reengineer	Design improved service models Assist in execution of implementation plans Reengineer business and IT processes Increase capacity throughput for an operation Perform benchmarking Analyze and improve IT utilization	Streamlined operating processes by eliminating 22% non-value added work activities Increased capacity by 40% while reducing overhead costs by 20% Leveraged industry best practices Created a standard data intake process resulting in an uplift of 45% customer satisfaction Identified costs savings of $35-55m to be realized with two years (34% budget savings). Calculated staffing capacity model to identify 35% underutilization

PPI as a Individual Contributors

Project Manager

Business Analyst

Process Reengineer

Technical Writer