Using the PCT Model to improve
performance
Module 4 of 4
The Prosci PCT (Project Change Triangle)
Model is a simple but powerful framework for showing the three critical
elements of any successful change effort. Prosci's PCT Model shows how a
successful change effort requires: Leadership/Sponsorship (the top of
the triangle), Project Management (the right corner) and Change
Management (the left corner). Since it was first released in July 2006,
Prosci's PCT Model has helped countless project teams and change
management professionals be more effective by understanding and
improving performance in each corner of the triangle.
This four-part tutorial series addresses:
Module 1 of the series presented an overview of the
Prosci PCT Model, including definitions of each of the corners. The next module
presented the PCT Assessment - ten questions for each of the three
corners of the triangle that enable you to evaluate the health of a
particular project or initiative. The third module looked at the
connections between all corners of the model - what connects
Leadership/Sponsorship to Project Management and Change Management, and
how are Project Management and Change Management connected. This final module looks at how you can
utilize the PCT Model and the PCT Assessment to evaluate and support the
health of projects and initiatives. The Prosci PCT Assessment is available
for purchase in the PCT
Analyzer - a web-based tool that allows you to collect
assessment data, analyze results, identify risks and develop targeted
next steps (download the
user guide to see how the tool works).
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Prosci's PCT Analyzer is a web-based tool that
allows you to collect PCT Assessment data from
people connected to your project, analyze
results, identify risks and
develop targeted next steps.
Learn
more |
Download user guide |
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Prosci PCT Model TM
Ways to use the Prosci PCT Model
| To provide definition and context |
The first use of the Prosci PCT Model is simply to provide
definition and context. The PCT Model (pictured above)
identifies three distinct and critical elements of project
success. The top corner - Leadership/Sponsorship - provides the
governance and direction that an initiative needs. The bottom
left corner - Project Management - provides the approach and
activities required for the "technical side" of the project or
initiative. The bottom right corner - Change Management -
provides structure for encouraging employees to embrace and
adopt a change to their work, the "people side" of the effort.
The model shows each of these elements independently and also
provides a foundation for understanding the
relationships
between the corners. A key advantage of the Prosci PCT Model
is that it enables you to define the governance and direction
component of a project, the "technical" component of a project
and the "people side" component of a project - and shows that
all three elements must be in place for a project or initiative
to deliver results. |
| To provide focus |
A second use of the Prosci PCT Model is to
provide focus. There are really four elements of the model - the
three corners related to Leadership/Sponsorship, Project
Management and Change Management - and the "center of the
triangle" which are the objectives or results the project or
initiative is trying to deliver. The PCT Model allows you to
focus your discussions and effort along all four of these
dimensions. You can begin by simply asking yourself questions
like: How well have we defined the objectives of the project?
Does the project have the necessary Leadership/Sponsorship in
place? Are we adequately addressing the technical side aspects
with Project Management? Are we bringing a structured and
intentional approach to ensuring the change is adopted and
utilized with Change Management?
Focus has a second dimension related to problem
solving. During the lifecycle of a project or initiative, there
will certainly be issues and challenges. But how do you make
sense of the challenges you face without a model that lets you
separate out the key elements of a successful initiative? The
Prosci PCT Model is a powerful framework for trouble shooting
and investigating why a project is struggling. |
| To assess performance and health |
The Prosci PCT Model is the foundation of the
Prosci PCT
Assessment - a simple instrument for evaluating each corner
of the triangle. The assessment provides 10 factors in each of
the three corners. When you complete the assessment, you have
scores for all 30 of the factors as well as an overall score for
Leadership/Sponsorship, Project Management and Change
Management. Scores between 25 and 30 for a particular corner
indicate that this is a strength, scores between 20 and 24
indicate that this is a risk area and scores below 20 indicate a
jeopardy area. The assessment enables you to understand the
health of your Leadership/Sponsorship, Project Management and
Change Management efforts. It provides some quantitative
measures of the positioning and health of a project. In the
section below on the PCT Model Perspectives, several different
approaches to using the assessment are discussed. |
| To drive “next steps” |
There is no reason to assess for the sake of
assessing. The real value of the Prosci PCT Assessment is that
it shows you where actions need to be taken to improve the
performance of a project or initiative. Do you need more focus
at the top? Do you need to apply more rigor to the "technical
side" of the project? Do you need to increase the focus on the
"people side" of the initiative? |
PCT Model Perspectives
Single assessment
-
How to: The "single assessment" perspective
is the most simple - it is you completing the assessment for a
project you are supporting. The
second module of
this tutorial series presented an online calculator for the PCT
Assessment - you can go complete it right now for a project you are
supporting. Complete the assessment based on your current
understanding of the situation. The timing for the assessment is
also important to consider, if you are taking the assessment early
in the project lifecycle your results might be different than if you
are completing the assessment just before "go live".
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Outputs of the analysis: There are several
outputs of a single PCT Assessment. First, you will arrive at
overall scores for each of the three areas: Leadership/Sponsorship,
Project Management and Change Management - this is your PCT Profile.
You will find if any of the three areas are in a risk or jeopardy
status. These three scores can also be plotted in a radar graph to
show the general health of the project. Second, the
factors that you score a "1" are those that need the most immediate
attention to move the initiative forward.
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PCT Profile scores:
Leadership/Sponsorship: 28
Project Management: 26
Change Management: 14
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Factors that scored a "1":
Leadership/Sponsorship:
Factor 8
Project Management:
Factor 3, 7
Change Management:
Factor 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
With a group
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How to: Taking the Prosci PCT Assessment with
a group can be conducted in several ways. The group can complete the
assessment in a meeting on paper, and then discuss the scores using
a whiteboard or flip charts. You can also collect the data through
an online survey which each person completes individually and then present the results back to the group for
reflection and debrief (the
PCT Analyzer provides
online data collection functionality and analysis). You can use the
PCT Assessment with a variety of groups supporting a project or
initiative, including: the project team, the sponsors of the effort,
business representatives impacted by the effort, project support
groups and functions.
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Outputs of the analysis: First, there are
quantitative outputs when the PCT Assessment is used with a group.
In addition to the scores for each individual assessment, you can
also arrive at averages, maximums and minimums for each of the three
corners. For each of the 30 factors in the assessment, you can
calculate both average scores and the distribution of the scores to see
which factors the group identified as high risk areas that need
additional action. In addition to the numbers, there are several
other advantages of completing the assessment with a group.
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Shows multiple points of view: The screenshot
from the PCT Analyzer below shows the PCT Assessment scores from
five members of the project team. Instead of a single view of the
project, you now have perspectives to compare. Where does the group
have a common view? Where are there differences of opinion? What
might have resulted in the differences?
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Provides common terminology and frame of
reference: Discussing how a project is performing and what is
required for a project to be successful can be difficult. The
overall framework of the Prosci PCT Model, the specific factors in
the assessment and the resulting outcomes all lay the foundation for
more intelligent conversations about project health and where
efforts should be focused to improve project performance.
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Causes discussion: The framework and the
assessment results create discussion. Whether the discussion is
about why scores are different or what is causing a pattern in the
scores, the discussions can now take place. Many teams seem to
discover problems and solutions when they are able to focus
conversations about how the project is performing, and the PCT
assessment and the data from the PCT Analyzer gives rise to the
discussion.
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Drives consensus and action: Even if scores
start out fairly divergent, the resulting common terminology and
discussion drives the project team toward action. The exercise of
reviewing scores, validating assumptions and evaluating average
scores results in a team mobilized for action.
Screenshot from the
PCT Analyzer showing data
for a group
Over time
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How to: To utilize the PCT Assessment over
the lifecycle of the project, you simply need to conduct the
assessment at numerous points in time. The first time you conduct
the assessment serves as a baseline. After that, you may choose to
conduct the assessment based on time intervals (such as once a
month) or based on key points in time for the project (at a
particular gate in the process, or relative to key events such as
system testing, training or "go live").
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Outputs of the analysis: By conducting the
PCT Assessment at multiple points along the project lifecycle, you
can evaluate if your efforts are having the intended impact. For
instance, if Change Management overall scores low in your first
assessment, you may dedicate some resources and time to addressing
the people side of change, and a subsequent PCT Assessment will
indicate if your work is delivering results. Alternatively, you may
find that one factor in particular scores a "1" - such as The
project has specific objectives that define success (Project
Management factor 3). After working with the project team to define
objectives, you can use the subsequent assessment results to see if
you have solidified this factor.
Screenshot from the
PCT Analyzer showing PCT
Assessments during the project lifecycle
Across the organization
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How to: The final perspective, "Across the
organization," requires you to collect PCT Assessment data from
multiple projects or initiatives underway. You may conduct the
assessments yourself on the numerous projects you support, or you
may work with each project team to collect the data on their
project. Evaluating the results from multiple projects provides
powerful insights for the organization as a whole.
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Outputs of the analysis: The first important
output is simply having the assessment data for each of the
projects. This means that the Prosci PCT Model is being applied on
more than a single instance to evaluate and improve the performance
of the projects and initiatives underway. A second output relates to
the organization's overall approach to projects. In comparing
numerous projects, you may start to identify typical PCT Profiles
for projects in the organization. You might also identify
organizational gaps or competencies. If you look at five projects
and the Leadership/Sponsorship scores are generally high, then this
is likely a competency in the organization. Conversely, if you the
Change Management scores are generally low across the five projects,
then this is likely a gap or deficiency that needs to be addressed
from an organizational or enterprise perspective.
| Project name: |
L/S score |
PM score |
CM score |
| Alpha |
26 |
21 |
17 |
| Beta |
22 |
18 |
13 |
| Gamma |
26 |
25 |
21 |
| Delta |
29 |
22 |
14 |
| Epsilon |
23 |
24 |
12 |
Prosci PCT Assessment results for five projects
Conclusion
Prosci's PCT Model and PCT Assessment provide a simple but powerful
approach to evaluating the health of a project or initiative. The intent
of the PCT Model and PCT Assessment is to provide a framework and
instrument for understanding how a project is performing and where
attention needs to be focused to improve performance. Simply having a
single frame of reference with common language allows the project team
to focus on improving performance rather than wading through generic and
untargeted conversations. With the assessment instrument, a quantitative
evaluation can be completed both with groups and over time to drive more
successful outcomes of projects and initiatives. The
PCT Analyzer provides a
web-based tool for collecting and analyzing assessment data, and the
extensive knowledge base supports customized reporting driven by your
assessment results.
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Email this tutorial to a friend
The Prosci PCT Analyzer
enables you to: 1) collect data on leadership/sponsorship, project management and
change management from your project team; 2) analyze
results, including averages and score distributions;
3) identify risks and weaknesses; and 4) develop
targeted, specific next steps to position your
project for success. Learn more about the
PCT
Analyzer. Collect PCT Assessment data from
people connected to your project and evaluate
progress over time on your projects.
With the PCT Analyzer, you can begin collecting data
in just a few clicks and learn from an extensive
database that provides discussion, consequences and
next steps based on your results.
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Prosci Change Management Certification
Program highlights:
- Apply the methodology as you learn it on a
real project
- Learn from experienced master instructors
- Become part of a change management community
- Earn 2.4 CEUs, 24 PDUs and 23.5 HRCI
recertification credits
- Walk away with products and course materials
worth over $1000
Download the certification program brochure
Upcoming sessions:
- January 18 - 20, 2011: Tampa, FL area -
OPEN
- January 25 - 27, 2011: San Francisco, CA
area - OPEN
- January 25 - 27, 2011: Washington DC area -
FULL
- February 1 - 3, 2011: Denver, CO area -
OPEN
- February 15 - 17, 2011: Tampa, FL area -
OPEN
- March 8 - 10, 2011: San Francisco, CA area -
OPEN
- March 15 - 17, 2011: Chicago, IL area -
OPEN
- March 22 - 24, 2011: Washington DC area -
OPEN
Visit the certification training page
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“The best
training class I have had in years. Goes way beyond
the strategy and framework and focuses on real world
problems and the tools to solve them.”
- Jennifer J., April 2009 participant
“This was
the most effective and engaging course I've ever
taken. I feel that I can truly use this knowledge in
my personal and professional life immediately.”
- Lisa S., February 2009 participant
“Awesome -
truly one of the most beneficial programs I have
ever attended - immediate application on the job!”
- Robin S., March 2009 participant
“This
program absolutely over-delivered my expectations. I
now feel more prepared and better equipped to do my
job.”
- Paul S., January 2009 participant |
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Offerings for applying Prosci's change management methodologies:
Training:
-
Change
management certification ($2100) - 3-day program where you bring
a project you are working on and apply all of the assessments and
tools as you learn them - taught by former fortune 500 executives at
locations across the US - includes over $1000 in products, including
the Best Practices in Change Management benchmarking report, the
Change Management Toolkit and the Change Management Pilot Pro 2010
-
Train-the-trainer ($3500) - learn how to teach Prosci change management training programs in your
organization
- Onsite training
- bring Prosci to your location for 3-day certification programs,
4-6 hour executive briefings, 1-day manager programs or 1-day
employee programs - call +1-970-203-9332 for more information
Methodology tools:
-
Change Management Toolkit ($389) - hardcopy 3-ring binder presenting
Prosci's change management methodology, includes templates, checklists
and assessments for managing the people side of change (includes USB drive)
- Change
Management Pilot Pro 2010 ($449) - online tool including Prosci's change
management methodology, eLearning modules and downloadable templates,
assessments, presentations and checklists
-
Change
Management Guide for Managers and Supervisors ($189) -
tools to help supervisors engage and coach their direct reports
through change (includes 4 copies of the Employee's Survival Guide)
-
PCT Analyzer ($149/$349) -
web-based tool for collecting PCT Assessment data, analyzing
results, identifying risks and developing action steps
References and books:
-
Best Practices in Change Management benchmarking report
($289 / quantity discounts available) - journal-style report with lessons learned and best practices
from 650 participants, presented in an easy-to-use format - reads as
a checklist of what to do and what not to do
-
Change Management: the people side of change ($18.95 /
quantity discounts available) - a primer for anyone
involved in organizational change that addresses why manage change,
individual change management and organizational change management
-
ADKAR: a model for
change ($18.95 / quantity discounts available) - the definitive work
on Prosci's ADKAR® Model
-
Employee's Survival Guide to Change ($14.95 / quantity discounts
available) - a handbook to help
employees survive and thrive during change, answers frequently asked
questions and empowers employees to take charge of change
*** Prosci also offers
leadership packages - groupings of products at discounts that
offer you some of the most helpful and common combinations of Prosci
change management resources
Email this page to a friend
Email a Prosci analyst or
call +1-970-203-9332 with questions about the methodology, its application, or finding the
right resources to support your change management activities.
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