State Agency Wins National Recognition

OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) Data Services Division Project Management Office was recently recognized along with nationally-known companies for its work in Information Technology Project Management.

The OKDHS Project Management Office was selected as one of four finalists for the 2006 National Project Management Office of the Year award. OKDHS was the only public sector finalist.

The competition is sponsored by the Center for Business Practices, the research and publications arm of project management consultants PM Solutions. OKDHS was honored during the Center for Business Practices Summit in Las Vegas, Nev. on Dec. 7, 2006. OKDHS Project Management Office Director James A. Randell accepted the award for the agency.

While attending the Best Practices workshop for project management offices last fall, Randell said he learned how other Project Management Offices functioned. He was pleased that OKDHS exceeded many of the standards of private companies and submitted OKDHS for consideration. A few weeks later, Randell learned the good news.

“We are honored to have received this recognition,” Randell said. “Project management assures us that funds invested in technology are justified and that technology initiatives deliver tangible results. We are proud that OKDHS is a national leader in this process.”

Out of entries received from across the nation, computer consulting giant Electronic Data Systems of Texas won first place. OKDHS, Accident Fund Insurance Company of Michigan and Rhode Island-based American Power Conversion AEG placed as finalists.

Nominations were judged on a number of criteria, including:

• Demonstration of vision and business acumen in implementing new ideas, methods, or processes;
• Meeting organizational challenges;
• Positive impact on project success;
• Positive impact on organizational success;
• Realization of tangible business benefits;
• Building a project management culture;
• Effective use of resources;
• Improved organizational project management maturity; and 
• Improved project manager capability

OKDHS manages the most data of any agency in state government. Using data more efficiently and effectively has led to numerous productivity gains throughout OKDHS. 

The OKDHS Project Management Office was established in 2000 with one full-time employee who focused on establishing methodology and processes. The office’s mission is to organize and standardize information technology projects to improve the timely delivery and fiscal accountability for information technology projects.