Rod Sowden

Rod Sowden

Lead Author Managing Successful Programmes
Lead Author P3M3
Business Change Management
Integrated Assurance frameworks
Performance improvement
Training and development
Competency frameworks
Setting up Portfolio and Programme Offices

Specialties:
Delivering outstanding organisational performance in portfolio, programme and project delivery.
Thought leader in the area of programme management
Thought leader linking performance and organisational maturity

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Rod Sowden
  • Behaviours in P3M3

    Adding behaviours to P3M3 was not easy, Rod describes how this was done and what ultimately demonstrates at levels 1 to 4 on how individuals demonstrate their ability to achieve each level of maturity.

  • Benefits Management

    Here Rod tells us how important benefits are and should therefore be at the top of the agenda, keep an eye out for vanishing benefits and look out for additional benefits. He also encourages program leaders to be upfront and accurate about disbenefits as they are identified.

  • Benefits management trailer

    Here Rod tells us how important benefits are and should therefore be at the top of the agenda, keep an eye out for vanishing benefits and look out for additional benefits. He also encourages program leaders to be upfront and accurate about disbenefits as they are identified.

  • Risk and issues on programs

    Here Rod talks about how to develop a culture that is open to risks and issues, correctly connects to corporate management strategy and gives some tips that are designed to help leaders within programs effectively manage risks and issues.

  • Project manager behaviours

    Rod tells us about how project managers could improve their delivery of projects. He encourages dialogue with sponsors and talking to the teams. He encourages innovation by project managers and a system that enables it.

  • Assurance

    Here Rod talks to us about front-line protection for senior management on a program, namely assurance. Rod tells us to start early, not rely on one source, test advice given and ensure actions are implemented.

  • Assurance trailer

    Here Rod talks to us about front-line protection for senior management on a program, namely assurance. Rod tells us to start early, not rely on one source, test advice given and ensure actions are implemented.

  • Business Case

    Here Rod tells us about budgets you might have yet to think of, who to engage early with business cases, what the funding environment will be like and how to avoid double counting benefits.

  • Business case trailer

    Here Rod tells us about budgets you might have yet to think of, who to engage early with business cases, what the funding environment will be like and how to avoid double counting benefits.

  • Stakeholder engagement

    Here Rod tells us about communication between stakeholders, developing a culture of success and tips about managing information and key messages. He also explores what not to do regarding communication within programs.

  • Stakeholder engagement trailer

    Here Rod tells us about communication between stakeholders, developing a culture of success and tips about managing information and key messages. He also explores what not to do regarding communication within programs.

  • Vision failure

    Here Rod shares with us his extensive experience in reviewing other’s program visions, noting those that don’t work and one that particularly impressed him.

  • Vision failure trailer

    Here Rod shares with us his extensive experience in reviewing other’s program visions, noting those that don’t work and one that particularly impressed him.

  • Blueprint: a definition of the future

    Here Rod talks about two important documents that should be created at the beginning of a program, the vision and the blueprint. Rod describes the differences, the importance of each and some tips for a successful blueprint.

  • Program planning

    Here Rod talks about programme planning and some tips he has learned that should help directors design successful plans and avoid common pitfalls.

  • Program planning trailer

    Here Rod talks about programme planning and some tips he has learned that should help directors design successful plans and avoid common pitfalls.

  • Program principles

    Here Rod talks about common errors program leaders face and some principles to apply, from aligning corporate strategy to learning from experience. Every programme leader should use this as a checklist before starting.

  • Organisation

    Here Rod talks about how the organisation that requires the project interacts with the program and how as a leader, you can take some steps to ensure terms of reference are clear, the team is solid, prepared for changes and competent. Rod also suggests some cautions about the readiness of the org...

  • Organisation trailer

    Here Rod talks about how the organisation that requires the project interacts with the program and how as a leader, you can take some steps to ensure terms of reference are clear, the team is solid, prepared for changes and competent. Rod also suggests some cautions about the readiness of the org...

  • What is a maturity model

    Here Rod tells us about the origin of maturity models and their link to the US government noticing reliable and unpredictable suppliers. Primarily noticing levels of maturity in process delivery.

  • Project, program and portfolio management maturity model (P3M3)

    As an original author of P3M3 Rod introduces us to each level of maturity and the purpose of the model, and how the 5 levels are separated into 7 areas including governance and control as the two core areas and 5 other topics.

  • P3M3 maturity levels

    Rod tells us about P3M3 maturity levels and what these look like within an organisation, and how an organisation and move from one level to another. He talks about the fun places to work and those that are boring but consistent.

  • Identifying a level 5 P3M3 organisation

    Here Rod describes the development of P3M3 and looking for a level 5 organisation. While few organisations attain this level of maturity some get close, Rod talks about one and how it demonstrated it was very close.

  • Being an effective program leader

    Here Rod tells us about the practicalities of being a program leader and what to do in some of the essential aspects of this role. From earning respect to hunting for talent, Rod tells us how to be politically astute and confident with changes in direction.