Online Program

331715
Implementing Project Management Processes for Strategic Planning


Wednesday, November 4, 2015 : 9:30 a.m. - 9:42 a.m.

Les Becker, MBA, Harris County Public Health, Houston, TX
Claire Cutts, PMP, Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services, Houston, TX
Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH, Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services, Houston, TX
Rocaille Roberts, MPH, Office of Policy and Planning, Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services, Houston, TX
The 2013-2018 Strategic Plan at Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services (HCPHES), located in the third most populous county in the U.S., outlines priority issues for advancing both organizational effectiveness of HCPHES and provides a foundation for planning and implementation of the organization’s activities to ensure a healthier Harris County, Texas. The five strategic directions are: priority public health issues, workforce investments, awareness of public health, partnerships, and optimal use of resources.

Through innovation and application of Project Management methodology and processes in a public health setting, HCPHES set forth in a calculated direction to implement each strategic direction. Project Management resources were obtained and specific projects were identified by the Executive Team.  Each strategic direction, whether it is improving overall organizational structures, program design, or resource allocation, became a project in a larger program. A Project Sponsor was then assigned to each project.

The process for each strategic direction project is as follows: 

  1. Approve project charter
  2. Select project team
  3. Initiate project
    • Phase 1 - Process analysis and recommendations
    • Phase 2 – Gather requirements and implement solution
  4. Monitor progress
  5. Communicate efforts
  6. Evaluate solution
  7. Imminent innovation
  8. Close project 

Successfully implementing project management methodology and processes require leadership that embraces the approach. Team members are proactively engaged throughout the project lifecycle. HCPHES developed effective application of the methodology and was thereby able to align the projects with the 2013-2018 Strategic Plan. Examples and results of three projects will be presented.

Learning Areas:

Administration, management, leadership
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Program planning

Learning Objectives:
Explain how the concept of Project Management has innovatively been used to implement the Strategic Directives of a local health department

Keyword(s): Management, Planning

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: my role as the Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services (HCPHES) Deputy Director/Director - Operations & Finance Division has enriched me with a unique level of breadth and understanding of establishing policies and strategies. In my experience with managing many projects and directing people, processes, and tools, the strategic directives of an organization can also be implemented through the practice and application of project management methodology.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.