The Corporate Project, Programme & Portfolio Management Department (C3PM) was privileged to host a high-level delegation from the International Project Management Association (IPMA) on their visit to the City of Cape Town from 3 to 7 February 2020.
The delegation included the current President of the IPMA – Jesus Martinez-Almela; the IPMA Vice President Joop Schefferlie; and past IPMA President and the Chairman of the IPMA Council, Reinhard Wagner.
The delegation met with numerous stakeholders across the City to discuss opportunities for partnership and collaboration. Key areas of interest included the following:

• The individual and corporate project, programme and portfolio management certification.
• IPMA International Project Excellence and Project Management Awards.
• Establishment of an IPMA Young Crew – project management focussed interest group for those 35 years and younger.
• Participation in the IPMA Special Interest Groups (SIGs) – these include Mega Projects; Smart City, Artificial Intelligence; and Water and Waste.

Ben Peters, the Director of C3PM, in reflecting on the week of engagements noted the following:
“It was an exciting and productive week. We found many points of common interest and opportunities for future collaboration. As a City we have taken significant steps forward in the field of project, programme and portfolio management and there is much we can share with the world. However, there is still a lot we have to learn and numerous opportunities for growth. I believe our increased collaboration with the IPMA will provide us with a significant boost on our journey of continuous improvement.”

Photo: Craig Kesson and Ben Peters, with the IPMA delegation

C3PM hosted 2^nd annual PM Forum
The Corporate Project, Programme & Portfolio Management Department (C3PM) hosted the second Annual Project Managers’ Forum on 7 February 2020. A diverse group of local and international speakers tackled a variety of issues such as: dealing with red-tape in project management, programme management and benefits, and ensuring sustainability and resilience. Presentations were followed by a panel discussion where the over 200 delegates were given an opportunity to raise questions and engage with the presentation team.
Delegates found great value in the event – below are a few feedback comments received:
“The quality of the speakers was world-class. It was well organised, and I enjoyed the discussion times in particular.”
“Keep up the good work. Can the Forum not take place twice a year to cover more sharing lessons and networking?”
“Great event!”

The event ended with the awards presentation – congratulations to the following category winners!

• PMO of the Year: Economic Opportunities and Asset Management
• The project of the Year: Keith Olsen for Trenchless Rehab: Black-Mac Network
• Young Project Manager: Andrea Blomerus
• Project Manager: Nondyebo Msolo

The 2021 PM Forum promises to build on the success of this year’s event with some exciting new additions in the planning –  we look forward to seeing you there!

Photo: The PM Forum was attended by more than 200 Project Managers from across the City

Photo: Andrea Blomerus, receiving her award for Young Project Manager of the Year from Priscilla de Comarmond (2019 category winner)

Organisational Performance Management and Value for Money. The importance of value for money in service delivery
The requirement and public demand for service delivery is becoming a top priority for South Africans. The City of Cape Town is no exception. This indicates that we are not delivering according to our citizens’ needs and therefore this is an improvement opportunity for us.

Value benefits realisation and performance management
The Organisational Performance Management (OPM) team is reviewing the current performance management framework, in line with the Outcomes-based Performance Management approach stipulated by National Treasury.
An integral part of this is the implementation of National Treasury’s Circular 88 in conjunction with the development of a benefits tracking methodology (applicable to the project environment).
Where the focus was always more on the measuring and reporting on monetary spend in the past, it is not the case any longer. National Treasury recently announced an important transition to that of assessing delivery and ‘money for value’. The Audit General is also introducing audits on value for money.
In the infrastructure context, value for money refers to something that is well worth the money spent on it. It is, therefore, the optimal use of resources to achieve intended outcomes.
In the project environment, it means that inputs (cost and resources) should be used in the most efficient way (i.e. use of the right activities to produce the right outputs or products) to deliver on the proposed outcomes as stipulated in the IDP as well as to achieve the strategic impacts as intended in the City’s strategies.  Throughout this process, consideration must be given to equitable service delivery to all of the City’s residents, while reducing the impact on the environment.
If this is successfully done, the value for money is delivered.