A Project Management and Change Management Approach to Organizational Initiatives

About the Program

Category: County Administration and Management (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

A 2018 “technology use assessment” conducted by a consultant identified centralized enterprise architecture, project management structures, and cross-departmental process understanding as the key areas to focus on to improve customer service and outcomes. In 2019, Albemarle County created the Project Management Office to centralize organizational initiatives. The Office (now, Performance & Strategic Planning) provides project management for cross-departmental projects and in business process mapping and optimization, but also developed tools for performance tracking, management, and analytics and is managing a Core Systems Modernization project to replace antiquated data management systems in-use for managing administrative functions. Albemarle County’s project management and change management approach provides a structure to tackle cross-departmental challenges that are lasting, by cultivating buy-in at all levels through the change champions model. A project manager establishes clear roles and responsibilities for team members, develops shared understanding of project goals, and works with leadership to carve out dedicated time for members to fully-serve the project. Change champions from every department are trained and supported to share information and help colleagues see the benefits of the change. The results have been tremendous in fully delivering on project goals and objectives, on-time, and on-budget in most cases.