• Dell EMC’s Global Project Management Methodology

  • Overview

     

    Established as a global standard in 2013, Dell EMC’s Global Project Management Methodology (DEPM2) is a proprietary approach to delivering complex engagements in a consultative, responsive and efficient way.  DEPM2 has been built on our extensive in-house experience in Project delivery within our industry, the Project Management Institutes (PMI) Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) 5th Edition and from feedback from our customers.

    DEPM2 is made up of four phases; Initiating, Planning, Executing and Controlling, and Closing.  Each stage is supported by a standard set of Dell EMC tools and processes based off of the Process Groups and Knowledge Areas in PMI’s PMBOK.

    A unique feature of DEPM2 is that it has been built with flexibility as a core requirement. DEPM2 drives the need for consistency, to ensure Dell EMC’s best practices in Project Management are followed, together with the often unique needs of our customers and the Projects we deliver for them.  This is an important balance that takes experience to get right and is something Dell EMC has been able to refine over a number of years. DEPM2, combined with its DEPM2 trained Project Managers, allows Dell EMC to deliver engagements on time, on budget and to the expected quality.

  • Process

    Initiating
    Planning
    Executing & Controlling
    Closing
     

    Initiating

    The Initiating Phase allows a Dell EMC Project Manager to immerse themselves in the project to understand and validate the Project’s fundamentals which include the Project’s scope, required deliverables and expected benefits to the customer.  The key Initiating Phase activities are:

    • Complete a handover with Dell EMC sales team to understand requirements
    • Mobilize the Dell EMC Project Team with our customer’s Project Team
    • Review Dell EMC’s best practices and applicable lessons learned so project risk can be reduced
     

    Planning

    The Planning Phase builds on the work from the Initiating Phase to provide and agree on the details of the engagement.  The key Planning Phase activities are to:

    • Draft and validate a Project Schedule
    • Host a Customer Kickoff with all Stakeholders
    • Develop Project baseline, identifying and validating Project Scope, delivery requirements, key milestones and acceptance criteria 
    • Validate Quality Assurance standards are met
     

    Executing & Controlling

    The Executing and Controlling Phase delivers against the baseline agreed with the stakeholders in the Planning Phase.  The key Executing and Controlling Phase activities are:

    • Execute as defined and agreed in Project baseline
    • Regularly review, monitor and control project actions, risks, issues and schedule, communicating to Project Stakeholders as agreed during Planning Phase
    • Identify and review Project Change Requests as required in line with Dell EMC’s change control process
    • Obtain sign off from relevant stakeholders as milestones are completed

     

     

    Closing

    The Closing Phase validates all work has been completed to a satisfactory standard.  The key Closing Phase activities are:

    • Verify with Project Stakeholders that the Project has been delivered as agreed
    • Identify lessons learned to improve future engagements and celebrate success

    Key DEPM2 Tools

    Template Set
    Lessons
    DEPM2 Trained as a Standard

    Template Set

    The standard DEPM2 template set provides the essential documents required to deliver an engagement with Dell EMC.  Dell EMC has invested time into developing the DEPM2 template set with our customers and Project Teams to keep these lightweight, flexible and easy to use.  Our standard template set reflects Dell EMC’s experience in Project Management and the core items that are needed to support a successful project.  Your Dell EMC Project Manager will update the template to reflect the specific requirements of the Project including Customer requirements.

    Dell EMC’s standard template set includes:

    • Project Workbook
    • Project Kickoff Presentation
    • Project Change Request
    • Standard Communication
    • Project Sign Off (Milestone or Project Completion)

    Lessons Learned

    Dell EMC understands the fundamental importance of enabling our organization to learn so we can capture and disseminate accurate knowledge on how to enhance our engagements and repeat success but also identify and mitigate known potential risks experienced on similar Projects.

    The Global DEPM2 Lessons Learned database, a core tool within the DEPM2 framework, allows the Dell EMC Project Management community to share and learn about both positive and negative project experiences, enabling our Project Teams and customers to benefit from this knowledge.

    DEPM2 Trained as Standard

    All Dell EMC Project Managers are provided with core and supplementary training that not only provides the basics in tool and process understanding, but encourages them to apply their personal soft skills, judgment and experience within our framework.  Dell EMC believes this approach results in better Project delivery and happier clients.