Praxis Approach: To Assess Capability & Maturity of Projects

The Praxis Approach emphasises integrating theoretical knowledge with practical experience to improve knowledge and skills continuously. It provides a comprehensive framework for project, program, and Portfolio Management. It covers all management aspects, including governance, risk management, stakeholder engagement, and benefits management.

The Praxis Approach is flexible and can be adapted to suit the specific needs of different organisations and projects. Read this blog on Praxis Approach and explore how this integrated methodology combines knowledge and adaptability for successful project delivery.

Table of Contents

1) Overview of the Praxis Approach

2) Adapting the CMMI approach

3) Levels of CMMI Processes

4) What is the difference between dyspraxia and praxis?

5) Conclusion

Overview of the Praxis Approach

The Praxis Approach isn't just another Project Management Methodology; it's a comprehensive framework that encompasses projects, programs, and portfolios, making it a one-stop solution for all Project Management needs. By adopting this approach, organisations and individuals can consistently deliver successful projects with a practical, adaptable, and holistic strategy. Exploring the Reasons to Consider Praxis for Project's further reinforces how it enhances efficiency, streamlines processes, and ensures long-term project success.

Here are the following facets that sets the Praxis Approach apart from more traditional or conventional methods:

a) Holistic view: It integrates best practices from various sources like PMBOK and CMMI, covering everything from stakeholder engagement to risk management.

b) Continuous improvement: Built-in mechanisms like capability assessments and maturity levels help organizations and individuals learn and grow over time.

c) Scalability and flexibility: Whether managing a small team or a complex program, Praxis adapts to suit your needs, allowing you to tailor it to your specific context.

d) Focus on both ‘doing’ and ‘being’: Praxis emphasises not just following processes but also developing the necessary skills and behaviors for effective Project Management.

Capability and Maturity Levels

A crucial aspect of the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI)model is distinguishing between capability and maturity. Maturity levels range from 1 to 5, while capability levels range from 0 to 3. Higher-level processes are broader and more integrative, whereas lower-level processes are more focused.

The Praxis Framework extends the philosophy of the CMMI model and adapts it to fit the framework for projects, programs, and portfolios.

Adapting the CMMI approach

Praxis is an approach based on lifecycle processes, including identification and definition processes, which comprehensively utilise and integrate knowledge functions. These processes cover topics such as stakeholder management and risk management.

As a result, the Praxis Delivery Model extends the CMMI methodology by employing lifecycle processes to assess maturity and functions to measure capability. Specific attributes are used to evaluate each of the five levels in the model. While you may acquire competence in specific areas like stakeholder management and risk management, maturity cannot be achieved unless these areas are applied to and integrated into all lifecycle aspects.

Praxis consists of a body of knowledge comprising functions covering specific areas such as Stakeholder and risk management. It also includes a method based on lifecycle processes, such as the identification and definition processes, which extensively utilise and integrate the knowledge functions. Therefore, the Praxis model adapts the CMMI approach by utilising functions to measure capability and lifecycle processes to measure maturity.

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Levels of CMMI Processes

Specific attributes are used to evaluate each of the five levels in the model. Now, let's discuss the five-step processes of these models. At level 1, the precise objectives are met for the function or process. When you visit the Praxis website, you will find that each topic begins with a list of objectives that must be fulfilled to pass level 1. If these objectives are not met, you remain at level 0.

While goals may have been achieved in an ad-hoc manner at level 1, at level 2, they are accomplished more quickly, systematically, and robustly. The management approach at level 3 becomes more proactive. Here, the team in charge of a project, program, or portfolio will adapt to various situations and capture lessons learned. Performance objectives are specified at level 4. Finally, at level 5, the focus is on progress and continual improvement.

A Praxis evaluation incorporates all the above indicators, aligning it with the CMMI methodology. With the Praxis evaluation tool, you can assess maturity and competence in various tasks and processes. The evaluation tool is a real-time dashboard and checklist to help you establish and enhance your management practices for projects, programs, and portfolios.

You don't even need to register to use the evaluation tool. Simply visit the Praxis website, select a process or function, navigate to the Maturity 360 page, and answer the questions. With the Praxis Pathway, your report will provide an overview of your maturity or competence level and the steps you need to take to progress to the next level.

For a comprehensive evaluation of an entire project, program, or portfolio, and the ability to store assessment results or benchmark against others, registration is required. The guest assessment training handbook provides detailed information.

Registered users can start with a simple individual evaluation of a project before proceeding to a full 360-degree review involving the Project Manager, Sponsor, and other Stakeholders.

Similarly, you can evaluate a program from a single or 360-degree perspective and then integrate the findings with the projects that comprise the program. Lastly, you can evaluate a portfolio with or without combining its component projects and programs.

What is the difference between dyspraxia and praxis?

Praxis refers to the brain’s ability to plan, organise, and carry out motor actions. It’s the mental process that allows us to conceptualise movement, sequence steps, and execute actions smoothly.

Dyspraxia, on the other hand, is a neurological condition that affects a person’s ability to develop and perform these motor skills. Also known as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), dyspraxia leads to challenges with coordination, balance, and fine or gross motor skills.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Praxis Approach offers a practical and integrated way to assess the capability and maturity of projects, programmes, and portfolios. It helps in combining knowledge, processes, and competencies into a single and open-source framework. Praxis allows organisations to identify gaps, streamline delivery, and drive continuous improvement. It's not just about meeting targets, but about building long-term, adaptable success across all levels of project management.

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