Organisational success is largely dependant on the ability to successfully implement strategic and operational projects. But the nature of these projects is becoming more complex, making it difficult to apply the old `tried and trusted` methods.
A new framework is required that will ensure complex projects are successfully commissioned, soundly thought through, well designed and manageable from the very start.
Computer Sciences Corporation, always looking to identify new and better ways of successfully implementing complex projects, has collaborated with the UCT Graduate School of Business (GSB) to design a programme that helps managers and project teams achieve a systemic understanding of complex situations.
"The aim of the CSC/GSB Leadership Development Programme is to radically boost team intelligence and to encourage collaboration so that coordinated implementation of a project is inevitable. When collaborations work well, projects become more manageable and are almost always successful," says Julian Day, programme director for the UCT Graduate School of Business.
Managing a complex project is more about facilitating conversations than focusing on implementing the best solution, he says. "A good conversation that allows people to participate equally and to learn from the experience is likely to produce the best outcome," adds Day.
In the programme, which started in April 2004, participants are given projects that are based on real issues. "Because teams deal with `real life` projects, the work they do can have a direct impact on CSC," says Bev Cunningham, Human Resources director for CSC`s operations in South Africa. "Team success, both on the programme and in business, is often based on how well proposed solutions meet the demands of the business."
The CSC/GSB Leadership Development Programme consists of three, seven-day modules that take place over a period of one year. Because this is not a `once off` course completed after a few days, teams have time to engage, provide feedback, and test and discuss their ideas and decisions.
This continuity is important, according to Esme Smith, Training manager for CSC`s operations in South Africa. She says the structure of this programme, the length of engagement and the use of `real life` situations is what sets it apart from other leadership development courses.
By the end of the programme, participants have learnt the importance of risk-taking and challenging conventional thinking to find solutions to complex issues. The CSC/GSB course has equipped them to identify the essence of a problem rather than to focus on the symptoms.
Cunningham says the CSC/GSB Leadership Development Programme is significant because it recognises the important role management and leadership play in developing a dynamic information technology (IT) industry.
"Developing management potential is important as there is a direct correlation between companies that invest in developing leaders and the bottom-line results they produce," she says.
Share
CSC offers the South African market a wide range of services, including systems integration, application and infrastructure outsourcing, and business process outsourcing, as well as financial services solutions.
In South Africa CSC also provides Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services to manage the policy processing and administration for its US and UK financial services customers who include banking, short-term insurance, and life and pensions providers.
A leading IT services provider, CSC adds value through its collaborative approach to delivering fast, reliable and flexible solutions. CSC opened its doors in South Africa in November 1999 and today has offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Richards Bay. For more information, contact (021) 529 6500 or (011) 686 5400.
CSC
Founded in 1959, Computer Sciences Corporation is a leading global information technology (IT) services company. CSC`s mission is to provide customers in industry and government with solutions crafted to meet their specific challenges and enable them to profit from the advanced use of technology.
With approximately 91,000 employees, CSC provides innovative solutions for customers around the world by applying leading technologies and CSC`s own advanced capabilities. These include systems design and integration; IT and business process outsourcing; applications software development; Web and application hosting; and management consulting. Headquartered in El Segundo, Calif., CSC reported revenue of $15.3 billion for the 12 months ended Oct. 1, 2004. For more information, visit the company`s Web site at www.csc.com.
Editorial contacts