What Is Enterprise Project Management?

What Is Enterprise Project Management?

Large enterprise organizations typically run multiple complex projects simultaneously. Although these projects do not necessarily seem connected, they all impact the same enterprise organization. Enterprise project management (EPM) refers to the practice of managing projects on a companywide scale. It generally involves implementing strategies and processes to streamline and improve the effectiveness of project management on a large scale. According to the Project Management Institute (PMI), these initiatives can include:

• Using project management software to consolidate multiple projects and make them more visible and trackable across the organization
• Creating a project management department
• Using “stages of growth” models to improve project-management capabilities

What makes enterprise project management different?

Traditional project management practices focus on seeing one specific project through with a defined, measurable objective.

Enterprise project management focuses on the organization, prioritizing and highlighting its business goals and managing and grouping projects to ensure they meet those broader company objectives.

The end objective is not necessarily a completed project but a project that effectively provides value to the organization.

Utilizing an Enterprise project management tool to align projects with the company's OKRs will aid in maintaining focus across all teams and departments.

Benefits of enterprise project management

Although roughly 25% of the gross domestic product of developed nations is spent on or through projects, there is often a lack of alignment among projects within an organization. This divide can result in duplication, wasted effort, missed opportunities, inconsistent decision-making, and other hurdles. Organizations, and project managers within the company, need to ensure all projects are strategically focused on their overarching business objectives.

Enterprise project management aims to do just that. As Villanova University explains, EPM practices can “identify when projects conflict or duplicate efforts, and they can recognize underfunded projects that might present an opportunity for the organization.” The university cites a potential 20% increase in profits for organizations that employ an EPM system.

The PMI outlines additional benefits of enterprise project management, including:

• Higher-quality output
• Improved productivity
• Reduced impact of skills shortage
• Reduced project risks
• Enhanced reliability of delivery

Implementation of enterprise project management

Since enterprise project management focuses on the organization’s core mission and strategic objectives, implementation of an EPM system begins with a thorough look at the company’s existing projects and organizational culture. After all, EPM will require adaptability and openness to change.

It is vital to include stakeholders in an EPM system since the end goal is full transparency, wider participation, more project visibility, and increased monitoring. A high level of communication is essential to bring everyone on board and ensure goals and efforts are aligned.

Further reading:

• Wrike for Enterprise. One connected platform that scales.
• What It Takes to be a Project Portfolio Manager
• The Major Challenges of Enterprise Project Portfolio Management