Written by Lasondria Hill
PMI Atlanta’s July Healthcare Forum attendees were treated to a unique presentation, focused not just on project management but on the value delivered by the project. The speaker for the session was Jeff Ely, Process Improvement Manager at Philips, who provided compelling examples of how project managers can add value to their projects. 
Jeff is responsible for deploying Lean methodology across Philips’ Alpharetta-based Customer Care Solutions Center. During his 26 years with Philips, he has been a Field Service Engineer servicing MRI, CT, and Nuclear Medicine scanners, as well as a CT Remote Service Engineer and Modality Performance Manager.
Jeff began his presentation by asking attendees, “How do you define value?” Jeff explained that Lean defines value as something that:
- Transforms the product or service.
- Customers are willing to “pay” for.
- Must be done correctly the first time.
Additionally, Jeff noted that “true value is related to values”—meaning that our personal perception of values will determine the value that we deliver to the customer. This observation makes sense when you consider your role as a project manager. If you value time, you will ensure that the project is delivered to the customer on time. If reliability is important to you, you will deliver on your promises and do what you say you will.
Some key takeaways from Jeff’s presentation:
- Answer the “Why?"
o Why do we do a project?
o What is the problem that we are trying to solve? - Filling the Space
o Pause…use the space to determine if and/or how your action(s) will add value.
o To bring value, values must align.
Jeff’s presentation was self-reflective and motivating as it relates to the “why” of project management. As a project manager, it is routine to start a project, finish, then move on to the next. The key takeaways from the presentation offer profound guidance for project managers to examine how their values impact the value that is delivered to customers. In practice, Jeff pointed out that Philips incorporates Hoshin Kanri, daily management and problem-solving to make the connection from values to value.
Jeff concluded his engaging presentation with a question and answer session, and Gray Terry closed the meeting by thanking Jeff and the Health Forum participants.
Please join the Healthcare Forum on Wednesday, August 17 as Sean Sullivan, Healthcare Attorney at Arnall, Golden and Gregory, LLP presents: “Healthcare Litigation and the Project Management Cycle.”
Location: Philips
One Deerfield Centre
13560 Morris Road
Alpharetta, GA 30004