Services Description

Project management support is an essential element in the planning and execution of any business undertaking. While the project leader guides and directs project results, a qualified project support team will greatly enhance the project's operation. In the field of project support, SOMOS professionals focus on three principal roles - analysis, administration, and coordination.

The project or business analyst focuses on process orientation, and examines how to improve existing functions and activities to strengthen customer satisfaction and financial results. The analyst seeks organizational opportunities, gathers requirements, and makes recommendations to management. Resulting actions are incorporated into the project methodology for execution and evaluation.

The project administrator collects and processes data to support decision makers. Providing administrative and clerical technical support, the project administrator focuses on records management, information distribution, project tracking, and scheduling. The administrator charts the progress of project personnel and other support providers, as well as other financial, contracting, and project mandate-related tasks.

The project coordinator performs secondary project management activities, including the documentation requirements on behalf of the project manager. The coordinator's primary responsibilities include preparing detailed project documentation, tracking change requests, evaluating impacts, and assisting with related tasks.

These project management support roles aid tremendously in providing pertinent and timely information and support that facilitates decision making, expedites project progress, and ensures successful results.

Examples of SOMOS engagements for Project Management Analysis and Support:

SAP Financial and Material Management System
Government Department

SOMOS provided a project manager and a cost/schedule analyst to staff the project office supporting a SAP system implementation. They performed planning, monitoring, status tracking, analysis and expert advice to the project manager.

The implementation included analysis, customization, data conversion, training, and equipment evaluation and purchase. The first phase of the project had a budget of $16 million, with 50 cost accounts and 1,500 activities to be performed over nine months. The project technical team, including all systems integrators and government personnel, numbered close to 50 people.

The project has won awards for the results achieved through this successful project management approach.

Large Information System Implementation
Government Department

SOMOS provided a scheduler to support the project management office of this multi-year, multimillion-dollar project. Utilities were developed to streamline the integration of tools and performance of activities such as WBS definition, WBS Dictionary documentation, schedule development, status collection and data roll-up.

Oracle Human Resources System Implementation
Government Agency

A SOMOS consultant planned, monitored and coordinated the test activities of the implementation of the Oracle HR system. The consultant was part of a team with participants from the systems integrator, the software vendor, independent analysts and programmers, and the human resources management and staff. The project was a success, and the testing approach resulted in a significant increase in acceptance of the system among the users and management.

Large Communications System Development
Defence Contractor

SOMOS provided on going cost/schedule analysis, system operation and technical support throughout this development. As the client became confident with the SOMOS consultants' abilities, work was performed both on and off the customer's site.

Large System Development and Production
Defence Contractor

A SOMOS consultant was part of the team of cost/schedule analysts supporting projects at this defence contractor. The consultant's performance significantly contributed to the project's success; as a result, he was asked to support several other initiatives, starting with the earliest planning phases.