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Project Management Lessons Learned

  • November 28, 2023
  • Carlos Ray Ruiz
  • 0

Project Management; Lessons Learned by Albert Guaravage

After nearly a decade as a finance controller with an agricultural manufacturing conglomerate, I came to the realization much of my time was spent on “projects” that could be categorized as “process improvement”. While I have my MBA, I realized I did not have a clear/structured understanding of how to effectively implement both projects or process improvements. After talking to one of my mentors he recommended I become certified as a PMP (Project Management Professional), and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. 

After pitching the benefits of these certifications to management I received the green light to pursue both certifications, starting with my PMP. I enrolled in a week-long, in-person boot camp class with the Project Management Institute to kickstart my training. Like all such classes, they are much like trying to drink from a firehose, so once completed I took two months to study the PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge). I found the review videos and quizzes offered on the Educate 360 Learner Dashboard especially helpful in getting my knowledge up to a point where I felt comfortable taking and passing the exam.

Since becoming certified I have become more precise in recording the scope of projects, working together with stakeholders to ensure I fully understand all requirements and obtaining a clear DOD (Definition of Done). Just having these small processes in place has given me more confidence in taking on process improvement projects. Next step: Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification!  

Lessons Learned:

  1. Many tasks, even small ones we do as part of our regular day-to-day workload, can be done more efficiently if we apply the principles of project management.
  2. Don’t assume management is unable to see the value of continued education. Ensure you pitch them with relevant examples of how it will improve your productivity or quality of work.
  3. The PMP places a large emphasis on Agile methodology. Just because Agile is often associated with the software development field, don’t write it off. There are many parts of Agile that can be used in different industries. Take the lessons learned and tailor them to your particular job.   

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Carlos Ray Ruiz

I am currently serving as the Director of Global Strategy and Organizational Change at humanitarian international health organization. I serve by orchestrating transformational change projects across the organization in order to achieve our aspirational goals. I help the organization refine its strategy and strategic plan. I coordinate all departments and country offices as they implement new systems and processes that transform their way of working, improve effectiveness, and enable significant scale.

Previously I served for 8 years as the Director of Continuous Improvement for World Vision International where I had the responsibility to foster a culture of Continuous Improvement. I collaborated with leaders, teams, and individuals across the organization and around the world to guide them in applying continuous improvement principles and tools.

Based on more than 20 years of experience in the areas of strategy, leadership/organizational development, and, continuous improvement, I know that in order to deeply transform any organization you must consider the context, culture, and the current state of the organization.

I have led numerous continuous improvement workshops ( Kaizens) around the world, Asia, Africa, Europe, and America. I have coached and developed hundreds of leaders. I have also certified hundreds of White Belts, Yellow Belts, Green Belts, Black Belts, and Master Black Belts around the world.

Nothing energizes me more than to work with diverse cross-functional teams from different nationalities around the world and to witness how regardless of their background they voluntarily embrace and develop a culture where waste, inefficiencies, risks, and errors are seen as treasures that they themselves can fix or eliminate.

I have worked with multiple units to improve their door-to-door processes in areas like procurement, finance, human resources, operations, grants, sponsorship, strategy, etc.

By ensuring the leaders' engagement, cross-functional participation, and rigorous adherence to the "Kaizen Rules" and the DMAIC methodology (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control), the teams are able to significantly improve in the areas of safety, quality, delivery, and cost.

I am very passionate about Strategy, leadership/organizational development, and continuous improvement. I am convinced that these are 3 pillars that can significantly contribute to transforming and improving any individual, team, or organization.

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