What is a Project Interface Map?

Project interface maps provide a powerful way to understand how work is actually done, both internally and externally to the project, as well as how one project is related to another. A project interface map uses data to provide management with empirical information on the real structure and relationships of project teams, between project teams and between projects themselves. The data shows whether a relationship between two or more nodes exists, and the value of that relationship. The data can be weighted or have attributes associated with it. The results are then displayed graphically or in tabular format.

A project interface map reveals the informal and the formal networks using the project as the unit of analysis. Project interface maps provide a powerful way to understand how work is actually done, both internally and externally to the project, as well as how one project is related to another. It allows projects to be evaluated, measured and supported. Specifically a project interface map can be used to:

• Accelerate the flow of information and knowledge across functional and project boundaries by detecting and correcting information bottlenecks.
• Identify opportunities for intra-departmental knowledge flow improvements.
• Improve decision making in senior leadership and middle-management networks by plotting project dependencies.

How is Project Interface Mapping Done?

The broad generic process is as follows.

Determine the Questions. Two typical question statements are:

• Please identify which projects will provide part of the deliverable for your project.
• Please identify the people in other project teams that you rely on to provide information for your project. For each person you have identified please assign a score based on the amount of contact you have with them. 1 is the most amount of contact. 10 is the least amount of contact. Each score should be different.

Collect the Data. Typically a series of questions are asked using a survey technique. Data collection can also be done using data-mining techniques. For example intra-departmental e-mail traffic could be mined.

Import the Data into a Visualisation Tool. HolisTech® uses one or more of four propriety visualisation tools depending on the requirement. Each tool has specific uses and limitations.

Analyse the Data. In addition to the visualisation tools HolisTech® uses several analysis tools.

Act on the Data. Acting on the data is up to you! Please e-mail or ring us if you want to know more.