best management practice

Supporting Best Management Practice

For Project, Programme, Risk and Service Management

For Project, Programme, Risk and Service Management

Introducing the Best Management Practice Partnership

TSOOfficial Publisher

OGC The Office of Government Commerce

The APM Group LtdOfficial Accreditor

www.best-management-practice.com

IntroductionIncreasingly, the use of standards and best practices is being driven by business requirements for better performance and improved control over activities. The UK Government recognised very early on the significance of best practice and created initiatives to identify efficient, successful and reliable approaches to various management disciplines.

Over the years, the Office of Government Commerce (OGC), as an office of HM Treasury, has played a vital role in developing methodologies, processes and frameworks and establishing these as best practice. Consultation with experts around the world, in both public and private sectors brings together a wealth of experience, knowledge and skills. Put simply, the aim is to identify processes that are reliable, predictable and repeatable; document them, and then share this information as best practice.

This means that we can all benefit from the experiences of others. We do not have to tackle every task or activity as if it has never been done before. Through effective use of best practice we can benefit from improving quality, capability and trust from management, partners and our customers.

The huge growth in the market for OGC’s Best Practice guidance is evidence of how highly it is valued – proving that it offers not just theory but workable business solutions. ITIL is now the most widely accepted approach to Service Management in the world, while PRINCE2 has established itself as a global leader as a project management methodology. Some of the largest organisations in the world are acknowledged users, including: BP, Microsoft, IBM, Barclays Bank, UNDP and the NHS.

It is worth remembering, however, that the guidance itself is not the total solution. Implementation should be tailored, prioritised and planned to achieve effective use, and this may require help.

Through an innovative and successful partnering arrangement, OGC is able to ensure that users are supported by high quality publications, training, qualification schemes and consultancy services.

Over the next few pages you will find details of how this partnership works and how you can get support for your best practice activities.

OGC and its official partnersIn 2006, OGC completed an open competitive procurement to appoint an official publisher and an official accreditor to support its Best Practice guidance. The Stationery Office (TSO) and The APM Group Ltd (APMG) were awarded those contracts and are now working together with OGC to deliver and maintain its products and services.

The three organisations each play a vital role in providing users and stakeholders with a reliable and official source of information available at all times. Through the provision of official accreditation and publishing services, the partners can ensure that quality assured products and services are readily available and easily identified in the ever-expanding marketplace. Together they have created Best Management Practice, as the official home of OGC’s Best Practice guidance. The partners are committed to delivering and supporting the very best products and services in the marketplace, giving users the greatest opportunity to successfully introduce OGC’s guidance into their organisations.

PRINCE® is a Registered Trade Mark and a Registered Community Trade Mark of the Office of Government Commerce, and is Registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

PRINCE2™ is a Trade Mark of the Office of Government Commerce.

ITIL® is a Registered Trade Mark and a Registered Community Trade Mark of the Office of Government Commerce, and is Registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

M_o_R® is a Registered Trade Mark and a Registered Community Trade Mark of the Office of Government Commerce.

MSP™ is a Trade Mark of the Office of Government Commerce.

The swirl logo™ is a Trade Mark of the Office of Government Commerce.


Official Publisher

TSO draws upon over 200 years of print and publishing services experience. The company has a long history of working with OGC and is the only official publisher for its best practice guidance.

TSO also manages the various refresh projects on OGC’s behalf and is committed to ensuring that the quality of the guidance is maintained at the highest possible level. A dedicated team serves the Best Management Practice community, providing newsletters, updates and latest information on the products and current projects.

For further information visit www.tso.co.uk

Official Accreditor

APMG is a global business providing accreditation and certification services. Through its international network of Accredited Consultancy and Training Organisations APMG helps end users develop their professional skills and organisations improve their processes through the adoption of best practice.

Having worked with OGC since 1996, APMG has been instrumental in helping to establish PRINCE2 as an international standard and they now provide global accreditation schemes in ITIL, PRINCE2, MSP (Managing Successful Programmes) and M_o_R (Management of Risk).

APMG is one of the first medium sized companies to establish an independent Ethics and Standards Board to monitor its business practice and help ensure it supports the industries it serves in a transparent and responsible way. For further information visit www.apmgroup.co.uk

What is Best Management Practice?Best Management Practice is the official home of OGC’s Best Practice guidance. The portfolio consists of four products:

PRINCE2 for project management

PRINCE2 provides a defined set of processes for successful management of projects and can be tailored to suit a variety of organisations, large or small. It takes you through the essentials for running a project, from planning to implementation, and delivery to measuring outcomes. Effective use of PRINCE2 can minimize risk of project failure. It can also lead to increased productivity and ultimately will help you to achieve higher levels of customer satisfaction.

MSP for programme management

MSP provides a robust and flexible framework to help co-ordinate and plan related projects so that they support each other and are allocated the necessary resources. It shows how to organise projects so that they deliver individually and contribute to your organisation’s business objectives. It complements the approaches and methodologies laid out in PRINCE2.

M_o_R for risk management

This guidance provides a framework for assessing risk accurately, helping managers to make well-informed business decisions. Improved service delivery, more efficient use of resources, greater success of achieving change initiatives and improved innovation have all been identifed as benefits of using a proven risk management approach. Ultimately, this can lead to the organisation achieving a greater competitive advantage.

ITIL for service management

Based on expert advice and input from users, ITIL is both current and practical, combining the latest thinking with sound, common sense guidance. Effective use of ITIL within an organisation potentially provides a huge range of benefits, such as reducing costs while improving productivity through better use of skills and experience. Ultimately this leads to the high performing service provision and happy customers!

Each of these products presents a clear and effective way to tackle a given activity. They have been developed over the years by the UK Government, working in partnership with organisations able to provide the expertise and skills to deliver them to users. This entire process has been driven by the need to improve efficiency, rather than a commercial desire to make money. This vendor-neutral status has added to the appeal of the guidance. New versions are only produced to meet user demands – and it is these users that help to shape and develop it.

For further information about the Best Management products available visit: www.best-management-practice.com

Or request the OGC Product Portfolio Brochure from www.best-management-practice.com/RegisterToReceive.aspx


Training for ITILThere is only one ITIL qualification scheme that is sanctioned by OGC and this is administered by APMG. You can access the official scheme through Training Organisations that have been accredited either directly by APMG or through an APMG-approved Examination Institute.

APMG, EXIN, ISEB and Loyalist College are all approved Examination Institutes. For further information about their services please visit: n www.apmgroup.co.uk n www.exin-exams.com n www.brcs.org n www.lcsexams.com

To find an APMG accredited trainer in your area, please visit www.apmgroup.co.uk/QualificationsAssessments/ITIL/ITILATOs.asp

Further information about the official ITIL qualification scheme can be found at: www.itil-officialsite.com/Qualifications/QualificationScheme.asp

Marks of qualityInevitably, almost any product that is ‘in demand’ may be targeted by others keen to cash in on its mass appeal. ITIL and PRINCE have grown significantly in appeal and value since they were first launched. Just one search of PRINCE2, for example, returns over 180,000 results, many for companies claiming to be authoritative sources of project management material. Some information may contradict the

official products and often this results in confusion in the market place. Of course, unofficial publications are not all bad and many provide additional information that works well alongside the OGC range.

By exercising its Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) through copyright and Trade Marking, OGC has the ability to gain control over the material that is produced, while protecting its brands.

OGC has introduced the swirl symbol as a mark of quality. It can only be used by OGC’s official partners (TSO and APMG) and it is used to identify official publications, accredited training providers and examination institutes, which have all been through a rigorous review process. The swirl symbol is also used by the partners working in association with recognised user groups and forums.

You should also look for this endorsement mark. This may feature on various products and services that have been endorsed by a partner on behalf of OGC – who have successfully met a strict criteria for quality.

Further information about OGC’s policy and position on Intellectual Property matters can be found at www.ogc.gov.uk/ intellectual-property.asp

Supporting Best Management PracticeOfficial publications

TSO is the only official publisher for the range of Best Management Practice publications, working closely with OGC to produce high quality, reliable products. By understanding and responding to customer requirements, TSO has created a range of books, electronic content and services to suit all levels of knowledge, and all sizes of organisation.

Please visit www.best-management-practice.com/Online-Bookshop for the complete OGC portfolio.

Official accredited services

As OGC’s official accreditor, APMG is responsible for accrediting training and consultancy organisations that meet strict technical and management standards. As you would expect, the accreditation process itself is rigorous and thorough.

By using an Accredited Training Organisation (ATO) you can be assured that it reaches the high standards set for running a training company. All course materials that delegates receive, including presentation slides, lecturer notes, student notes and classroom exercises, are assessed to ensure that they conform to both the syllabus and APMG’s own exacting requirements.

The same quality standards apply to Accredited Consultancy Organisations (ACOs). If you are looking for consultancy support for your best practice activities, choosing an organisation accredited by APMG will help you to ensure that you work with suitably qualified and experienced consultants.

Training for Programme and Project ManagementAPMG certify ATOs and Approved Trainers for PRINCE2, MSP and M_o_R. There are over 480 Approved Trainers worldwide, providing high quality training as far afield as Singapore, Australia and South Africa.

To find a trainer in your area or for further information about the accreditation service please visit APMG at www.prince-officialsite.com/TrainingOrganisations/ATOs/ATOListing.asp

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Keep up-to-date with Best Management PracticeThe Best Management Practice Knowledge Centre brings together the official partners and recognised user groups to create a comprehensive source of information. Here you will find articles, white papers, book reviews, upcoming events and the latest news on OGC’s best practice guidance. You can also access the official bookshop from these pages.

Visit www.best-management-practice.com

To keep up-to-date with new titles, translations, or to register for a free newsletter visit www.best-management-practice.com/registertoreceive.aspx

Product websites

Each OGC best practice product has its own dedicated website, which provides detailed information on the guidance such as how it works and the benefits it could potentially deliver. There is also information about training and the various qualification schemes available. These sites offer the latest details on the products and associated services: www.itil-officialsite.com www.prince-officialsite.com www.msp-officialsite.com www.mor-officialsite.com

User Groups

itSMF

The itSMF is the only truly independent international not-for-profit recognised forum, set-up for all IT Service Management worldwide. Established since 1991, the itSMF is a prominent player in the ongoing development and promotion of best practice IT Service Management standards and qualifications. It offers many benefits to its members including the ability to exchange experiences, interaction via web-based discussion forums, free regional discussion groups, discounted prices for seminars, publications, and conferences held around the world. The itSMF provides a network of industry experts, information sources and events to address IT Service Management issues and help delivery of high quality, consistent IT services through the adoption of Best Practice. Many members are responsible for and make active contributions to the progress and development of Best Practice, including the authoring and Quality Assurance (QA) of core material.

For details visit www.itsmf.com

Best Practice User Group

This is the forum for people within the programme and project management community, helping its members maximise the benefits of using PRINCE2 , M_o_R and MSP as standards for managing risks, projects and programmes. Members are invited to attend the annual conference and monthly regional workshops, providing a valuable opportunity to network, share experiences and hear from industry experts. Recognising the important part Best Practice User Group plays in bringing people together to discuss project, programme and risk management issues, OGC regularly contributes and attends workshops and conferences, whilst actively supporting membership growth.

For further information or to join visit www.usergroup.org.uk

TSO (The Stationery Office) OGC’s Official Publisher

St CrispinsDuke StreetNorwich NR3 1PDUnited KingdomTelephone: +44 (0)870 600 5522Email: [email protected]: www.tso.co.uk Website: www.best-management-practice.com

Office of Government Commerce

Trevelyan House26-30 Great Peter StreetLondon SW1P 2BYUnited KingdomOGC ServiceDesk: +44 (0)845 000 4999Email: [email protected]: www.ogc.gov.uk

The APM Group Limited OGC’s Official Accreditor

Sword HouseTotteridge RoadHigh WycombeBuckinghamshire HP13 6DGUnited KingdomTelephone: +44 (0)1494 452450Email: [email protected]: www.apmgroup.co.uk

The Best Management Practice Partnership


5008 11/07 3000

The Stationery Office Ltd, Company registered number 3049649. Registered Office: St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich NR3 1PD

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