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The
Center for Program/Project Management Research is intended to be a
catalyst for engaging universities to collaborate with NASA in the
important domain of program and project management.
The Center
for Program/Project Management (CPMR) recently
selected a first round of awards for research in the field of
program/project management. CPMR is a newly established alliance
between the NASA
Academy of Program and Project Leadership (APPL)
and Universities
Space Research Association (USRA). The fundamental
intent of this partnering is to initiate a formal forum for
universities to better assist NASA in enhancing program/project
management capability. Specific objectives start with establishing a
relationship between NASA and the university community to engage in
world-class research in the discipline of program and project
management.
This initial objective is in no small part vital to better
understanding and overcoming the challenges facing NASA and Aerospace
missions. In the President's Commission on Implementation of United
States Space Exploration Policy Report, NASA is encouraged to pursue
broadened relationships with universities (as well as other
organizations) to promote more effective and efficient pursuit of our
programmatic goals. This is a common-sense strategy since the US
economy has long been fueled by the brainpower and wealth of talent
located at the nation's universities.
In the 21st century, the role of strong partnerships among government,
industry and universities, will continue to become more visible and
essential for a successful space program. Government has the role of
pursuing ambitious projects that are too visionary, costly or risky for
the private sector to pursue. Industry is the engine through which work
is completed (approximately 90 percent of NASA funding goes directly to
industry partners.) The university sector has been a less frequently
tapped source of capability; leading minds are able to research,
explore and study topics over a longer timeframe with scientific
scrutiny and debate.
In recent years I have listened to NASA leaders ask fundamental
questions about the nature of programs and projects. Many of these
questions can be approached either from a quick-answer solution, or
from the perspective of engaging and listening to what universities
have discovered scientifically. From the latter we can then determine
strategically, and with reflection, what best fits the unique demands
of NASA projects.
Partnering with universities is certainly nothing new to NASA. USRA
itself has its genesis in a request by the NASA Administrator in the
1960s to engage university minds in lunar research. However, all of
these efforts have been in areas of natural sciences -- astrophysics,
astronomy, life, space and earth science. Such collaboration with
universities in the field of program and project management has been
non-existent. This is partly due to a bias I have witnessed that "we
can't learn anything from universities about program or project
management." This has no basis in reality as universities are
increasingly managing NASA and DoD missions: University of Colorado,
Boulder, Johns Hopkins, and Penn. State, for example. At the same time,
universities have established world-class programs that develop program
and project management expertise: Steven's Institute, George Washington
University, University of Maryland, and others.
It is consistent with the call of the President's Commission to seek
out and form sensible partnerships with academia and other
organizations. The intent is for CPMR to promote cutting-edge research,
foster greater collaboration, disseminate information, encourage and
develop student councils, and generally serve as a resource for
program/project management knowledge. The Center will also facilitate
training, workshops, and developmental opportunities, providing an
environment to openly pursue innovative concepts.
For more information on CPMR, contact Deputy Director David Holdridge
at dhold@seabrook.usra.edu,
(301) 805-8396, or visit the CPMR website at http://cpmr.usra.edu/.
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