Praxis Pathway for Beginners: Building a Foundation for Project Success

 In 1995, Martin Cobb, CIO for the Treasury Board of Canada, posed the question of Cobb’s Paradox: “We know why projects fail, we know how to prevent them, so why do they still fail?” Praxis argues that organisations train people in good practices but fail to provide the means to apply and embed them.  

The Praxis Framework addresses the confusion of combining various guides, standards, and models in project, programme, and portfolio management. It combines extensive knowledge with an established systematic approach, providing a Competency Framework and Capability Maturity Model. This approach is time-consuming and expensive, especially if not well-maintained. The framework integrates proven approaches, making it a more efficient and effective solution for project delivery.  

The Praxis Pathway has three component paths: individual, team and organisation. These paths are interwoven and collectively designed to improve project delivery effectiveness and efficiency. In this blog, we’ll explore how the praxis pathway helps beginners to build a foundation for project success. Also, we’ll delve into the importance of getting Praxis Certification. 

Table of Contents 

• What is Praxis Framework?   
• Benefits of Adapting Praxis Framework   
• The Importance of the Individual Pathway   
• Conclusion 

What is Praxis Framework?  

The Praxis Framework is a free, community-driven framework for managing projects, programmes, and portfolios. It is intended to give a holistic approach to managing projects, programmes, and portfolios by merging best practices from many current frameworks and techniques, including PRINCE2, MSP (Managing Successful Programmes), and MoP (Management of Portfolios).  

The Praxis Framework is designed to be flexible and adaptable, enabling organisations to modify their recommendations to their unique requirements and situations.   

The Praxis Framework has many key aspects, including:   

1. Integration of Best Practices: Praxis incorporates best practices from various well-known project, programme, and portfolio management approaches, providing a complete approach to managing projects inside an organisation.   
2. Flexibility and Adaptability: The framework is intended to be flexible and adaptable, enabling organisations to tailor their recommendations to their needs and circumstances. Praxis’ versatility makes it suited for a diverse variety of businesses and project kinds.   
3. Comprehensive Coverage: Praxis offers help not just for individual projects but also for managing programmes and portfolios. This extensive coverage means organisations may use similar concepts and practices across their project portfolio.   
4. Community-Driven: A community of practitioners and subject matter experts created and maintained the Praxis Framework, ensuring that it represents current best practices and integrates real-world ideas from seasoned professionals.   
5. Free and Open: Praxis is free and distributed under an open license, making it accessible to organisations of all sizes and budgets. This open approach promotes cooperation and information exchange throughout the project management community.  

Benefits of Adapting Praxis Framework  

Improved project success rates 

Research indicates that organisations that employ the Praxis Framework have greater project success rates. This is because the framework offers a systematic approach to project management that aids in identifying and mitigating risks.  

Increased productivity 

The Praxis Framework may help businesses enhance their productivity by offering a standard language and technique for PPM. This may assist to break down silos and promote collaboration across various teams.  

Cost savings 

The Praxis Framework may assist businesses in lowering expenses by offering a more effective approach to PPM. This may assist in decreasing waste and enhance resource efficiency.  

Improved customer happiness 

The Praxis Framework may assist businesses in improving customer satisfaction by completing projects on time and under budget. This may help you create trust with your consumers and strengthen long-term connections.  

The Importance of the Individual Pathway  

Starting on the Individual Pathway of the Praxis Framework is an important first step for anybody wishing to lay a firm foundation in project, programme, or portfolio management. This track teaches the principles of managing initiatives and the interpersonal and leadership skills necessary to thrive in these jobs. Here’s why the Individual Pathway is important:  

1. Foundation First: The Individual Pathway is the foundation for more advanced concepts and practices within the Praxis Framework. Starting with this route lets people know the fundamental ideas and processes supporting successful projects, programmes, and portfolio management.  
2. Comprehensive Preparation: The Individual Pathway offers comprehensive preparation for individuals new to project management or seeking to refresh their knowledge. It covers various subjects to ensure students comprehensively grasp the field.  
3. Practical Application: The information and abilities gained via the Individual Pathway instantly apply to real-world project management circumstances. This actual application helps students reinforce their comprehension and gain confidence in their talents.   
4. Professional Development: Completing the Individual Pathway may be an important step towards a career in project management. It indicates a willingness to learn and improve one’s professional abilities.   

The primary areas of concentration within the Individual Pathway are:   

1. Project Management Fundamentals: This section discusses key topics such as project scope, time, cost, resources, risk, and quality. Learners will thoroughly grasp how these factors interact and how to manage them effectively to ensure project success.  
2. Effective Communication: Communication is a critical skill for project managers, as they need to interact with diverse stakeholders and team members. This area of concentration helps students develop excellent communication skills such as active listening, clear concept articulation, and the capacity to customise messages to varied audiences.   
3. Leadership and Teamwork: Project managers must often lead and motivate teams to accomplish project objectives. This section emphasises the significance of leadership skills, including vision, motivation, conflict resolution, and the capacity to establish a collaborative and cohesive team atmosphere.   

Individuals who master these important aspects of the Individual Pathway may establish a firm foundation for their journey through the Praxis Framework and position themselves for success in project, programme, or portfolio management jobs.  

Conclusion  

Finally, the Praxis Framework provides a complete and adaptable method for managing projects, programmes, and portfolios. Combining best practices from many well-known methodologies offers a systematic and adaptive project delivery solution. Adapting the Praxis Framework may result in higher project success rates, enhanced productivity, cost savings, and increased customer satisfaction. The Praxis Framework’s Individual Pathway is an excellent place to begin for anyone wishing to lay the groundwork for their project management career. It includes essential subjects such as project management basics, effective communication, and leadership and collaboration abilities, equipping students for success in project, programme, or portfolio management jobs.