PMP Generation : Claude Emond, Senior Partner, Les Entreprises Quali-Scope Inc.

As a project management professional, what keeps you up at night?

The thought that some people still think that you can improve Project Management within an organisation by focusing exclusively on improving know-how (skills, methodologies, processes, techniques and tools), without taking into consideration corporate and business culture and the need to improve soft skills (values), knowing how to act together (behaviour) and loving what you do (employees’ involvement and skills).

What changes would you like to see happen in the Project Management industry in 2017? What is your dream for Project Management in 2017?

I’d like to see upper management become aware of the importance of business culture and how it’s essential for our businesses’ survival and posterity as the world is perpetually changing (VICA), and the need for a collaborative and innovative “project culture”. My dream is for Project Management consulting businesses to stop trying to sell ready-made recipes and become real coaches and partners for the companies they serve, by helping them in all humility with their organisational transformation towards a better project culture, instead of being content with selling ready-made solutions, that aren’t adapted to their business reality. My dream is also for better project managers to emerge, true sociologists who take control of managing their projects and as a result do a better job involving their stakeholders, including members of project teams; project managers don’t see themselves as merely executing tasks: they see themselves as major contributors, thanks to the projects they are entrusted with, the new value and sustainability they create in the organisation and stakeholders they represent.

What pushed you to pursue a career in Project Management?

The desire to help organisations and individuals improve their impact through their projects (changes), thus contributing in my own way to a better world for all.

What is your most memorable moment with PMI-Montreal?

Every time I had the privilege to share my knowledge, my passion and my experience, and to exchange, whether it was with the communities of practice, or during conferences, where I was either a speaker or a participant. My most memorable moments are always being welcome in the PMI-Montreal community and feeling at home. 

What project would you like to draw the industry’s attention to (a small community project, a major project that went under the media’s radar, etc.)?

Implementing a truly collaborative and benefit-oriented culture in the Société de Transport de Montréal’s Portfolio Management (which started in 2007 and is ongoing J). Also, the implementation of efficient and sustainable project culture at the Hydro-Québec’s research institute.  

Is there anything you’ve reflected on that you would like to share with the industry (a realisation, advice, a call to all, a reference, etc.)?

Agility and innovation are on nearly every organisation’s radar, in Quebec and elsewhere. Our future and sustainability depend on it. Being agile and innovative are qualities that are essential to business culture. It starts with top executives realizing they no longer have the luxury of waiting until things fix themselves; they are the first ones to have to change their values and their behaviour, setting an example for their employees who they need to consider as full partners in implementing these changes. They need to trust and support them unconditionally. The first order of business is to take the time to read this short 100-page book by Michael Sahota and to act accordingly: English version, French version

I’ll take this opportunity to invite all “consultants” in “Agile PM” to also read this and to really reflect on its content before suggesting ready-made solutions to their clients.

Why did you become a PMI-Montreal member, and why are you renewing your membership?

Because I received a warm welcome as a Project Management Professional and I’m always given the opportunity to contribute, thanks to members and resources, even more in making this world a better place through our collective projects.

Which Project Manager would you like to see become a member of PMP Generation soon?

I’d like more members from the manufacturing industry, for whom a more collaborative, agile and innovative project culture is a matter of survival in the more or less short term.

Claude Emond has developed and directed workshops in Agile and Lean Project Management methods offered by the Institut de développement de produits du Québec. He is the creator of the Changeboxing methodology, allowing to manage and accelerate organisational change projects of any size using the Agile method. He is a partner and founder of Groupe TransformAgilité, a partnership of experts that helps companies establish higher performance collaborative and innovative practices and cultures using the Agile method. Lastly, he is one of two associates at Innovation Intégrale 2.0, a training company dedicated to upcoming high performance, collaborative, agile and innovative organisation cultures.

Are you a PMI-Montréal member and have something to say about project management in Québec ? Answer the PMP Generation questions ! Click https://goo.gl/forms/fHsqP7zKwyaI1tkG3 to access the form.