Case Study: Project Management In Action Leadership Roles

Case Studyprojectmanagementin Actionproject Leadership Roles At Trihea

TriHealth, a healthcare organization managing multiple hospitals and health services, recognized the need for clear role definitions within its project management structure due to increasing complexity. The organization established specific roles including project executive sponsor, project leader, performance improvement consultant, core team member, and subject matter expert, each with distinct responsibilities spanning all project phases—initiating, planning, executing, and closing.

The Project Executive Sponsor plays a vital role across all stages of the project. During the initiating phase, they empower the project leader through a well-defined charter, articulate expected outcomes, demonstrate commitment, and establish decision-making responsibilities. In the planning stage, sponsors ensure the project aligns with business goals, facilitate communication, commit organizational resources, and demonstrate personal interest. During execution, they manage organizational politics, support the project leader, build stakeholder relationships, remove obstacles, and ensure progress. Finally, in the closing phase, sponsors oversee project closure, share lessons learned, assess related applications, assign next steps, recognize contributions, and negotiate follow-up dates to evaluate ongoing success.

The Project Leader holds overarching responsibility for executing the project, with their specific roles evolving through collaboration with the sponsor. Initially, they negotiate the project charter, clarify expectations, and lead team direction with integrity and effective communication. They develop work plans and timelines, champion the project within the organization, manage team activities, and facilitate meetings. They ensure project progress, develop implementation and communication strategies, and support team tools and methodologies. The leader also oversees data collection, sustains change initiatives, and conducts project closure activities, including documenting lessons learned and planning post-project assessments.

When additional expertise is required, a Performance Improvement Consultant provides targeted support. They assist in establishing measurement systems, mentor the project leader on management processes, collaborate on planning, and proactively intervene to promote success. They research best practices, develop comprehensive change management strategies, facilitate stakeholder communication, and support data analysis from a system-wide perspective. The consultant also coaches the project leader on developing and executing change strategies necessary for sustainability.

Core team members are integral to project success, responsible for active participation, understanding the full scope, supporting decisions, completing assigned tasks, and developing project deliverables. They participate in decision-making, provide testing or validation of project outcomes, gather data, and communicate progress throughout the project lifecycle. Some team members may also work directly with stakeholders or subject matter experts to ensure comprehensive input and execution.

Subject Matter Experts contribute critical expertise necessary for project success but are not core team members. They participate in meetings and demonstrations as needed, carry out specific activities, provide requirements, and deliver inputs based on their specialized knowledge. Their role is essential for informing project decisions and ensuring technical accuracy.

Overall, TriHealth’s structured delineation of project roles facilitates clearer responsibilities, improves communication, and promotes efficient project execution across its complex healthcare operations.

Paper For Above instruction

Effective project management in healthcare organizations like TriHealth necessitates a clear definition of roles and responsibilities among team members to ensure streamlined operations and successful project outcomes. The formalization of roles such as project executive sponsor, project leader, performance improvement consultant, core team member, and subject matter expert fosters accountability, enhances communication, and supports structured progress through the project lifecycle.

The project executive sponsor serves as a critical leadership figure, providing strategic oversight and organizational support. Their responsibilities encompass initiating the project by empowering the project leader, defining expected outcomes, and establishing decision-making processes. During the planning phase, they ensure alignment with organizational goals, facilitate resource allocation, and demonstrate commitment through active engagement. In the execution stage, the sponsor manages organizational politics, supports the project team, and fosters stakeholder relationships. They remove barriers impeding progress and oversee the achievement of project goals. At project closure, the sponsor ensures proper closure, shares lessons learned, and plans follow-up assessments to evaluate ongoing effectiveness.

The project leader is the central figure responsible for day-to-day management, directing the project from start to finish. Their initial task involves negotiating the project charter with the sponsor, clarifying expectations, and leading the development of comprehensive work plans. Throughout planning, they coordinate communication strategies, develop timelines, and secure necessary resources. During implementation, the project leader manages team operations, facilitates meetings, and ensures adherence to schedules. They foster team cohesion by promoting effective communication and collaboration. Data collection and analysis are crucial functions, enabling informed decision-making and project adjustments. Post-implementation, the project leader leads efforts to sustain improvements, monitor outcomes, and document lessons learned, ensuring a smooth transition from project to ongoing operations.

The role of the performance improvement consultant complements the project leader’s efforts when specialized expertise is required. They offer guidance on establishing measurable targets and developing monitoring systems. By mentoring the project leader, the consultant enhances leadership capabilities and project management skills. They assist in designing change management strategies and facilitate stakeholder communication to promote acceptance and sustainability of new initiatives. Their involvement in research, benchmarking, and data analysis broadens the project’s systemic perspective, ensuring downstream impacts are considered. Coaching in change management methodologies equips the project team with skills necessary to navigate organizational transitions successfully.

Core team members are dedicated to executing specific project tasks, supporting decision-making, and contributing to deliverables. Their active participation and understanding of the project scope enable them to carry out assignments efficiently. They participate in meetings, provide input and validation, and share responsibilities for communication and training activities. Their engagement is critical in translating strategic plans into operational results.

Subject matter experts bring specialized knowledge essential for addressing complex technical issues within projects. Their role is to supply requirements, participate in demonstrations, and contribute expertise to ensure technical accuracy. Although not core team members, their input influences project decisions and helps maintain quality standards. Effective integration of subject matter experts ensures technical robustness and facilitates innovation.

Overall, the delineation of these roles within TriHealth exemplifies best practices in healthcare project management. Clear responsibilities foster accountability, improve stakeholder communication, and support strategic alignment across functional units. Properly defined roles reduce ambiguity, promote teamwork, and optimize resource utilization, ultimately leading to increased project success rates and enhanced organizational performance.

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