SMS Competency - Programme and Project Management

This is one of eleven competences that appear in the SMS Competency Framework for senior managers in South Africa's Public Service. All these competences are viewed as being critical for high performance in the senior manager’s role. The eleven competences are:

1. Strategic Capability and Leadership;
2. Programme and Project Management;
3. Financial Management;
4. Change Management;
5. Knowledge Management;
6. Service Delivery Innovation;
7. Problem Solving and Analysis;
8. People Management and Empowerment;
9. Client Orientation and Customer Focus;
10. Communication;
11. Honesty and Integrity;

Competency definition

Must be able to plan, manage, monitor and evaluate specific activities in order to deliver the desired outputs

Proficiency level

Basic

• Commences project after go-ahead from higher authority;
• Understands procedures of project management, its implications and the importance of stakeholder involvement;
• Understands the outcome of the project in relation to organisation's goals;
• Displays basic project management skills;
• Documents and communicates issues and risks associated with own work;
• Uses results of other successfully completed projects as points of reference; and
• Applies existing policies in own field of work.

Competent

• Establishes broad stakeholder involvement and communicates the project status and key milestones;
• Defines roles and responsibilities for project team members and clearly communicates expectations;
• Balances quality of work with deadlines and budget;
• Identifies and manages risks to the project by assessing potential risks and building contingencies into project plan;
• Uses computer software programmes to help manage project;
• Sets and manages service level agreements with contractors;
• Provides advice and guidance on policies; and
• Complies with statutory requirements and apply policies consistently.

Advanced

• Manages multiple projects and balances priorities and conflicts between projects based on broader organisational goals;
• Manages risks across multiple projects by examining total resource requirements and assessing impact of projects on the day-to-day operations;
• Modifies project approach and budget without compromising the quality of outcomes and the desired results;
• Involves top-level political authority and other relevant stakeholders in the buyin process;
• Keeps abreast and applies international trends in project management;
• Motivates and coaches project teams to achieve highest project results; and
• Monitors policy implementation and puts in place procedures to manage risks.

Expert

• Conceptualises the long term effects of the desired outcomes of project;
• Initiates several projects after conducting strategic analyses of organisation on the micro and macro levels;
• Persuades political heads to adopt and implement results/outcomes of project;
• Initiates projects that lead to the achievement of the long-term strategic objectives of the organisation;
• Sponsors multiple projects by allocating resources and supports the goals of these projects; and
• Leads and coordinates the translation of policy into action plans.

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Copyright RSA Department of Public Service and Administration: SMS Handbook - Chapter 5: Competency Framework (2003).

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External Links

Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), Republic of South Africa