Research shows that CPM office employees possess deep expertise in one or more competencies. Note that employees are not CPM generalists who lack depth in any one competency. It is important for team members to possess deep organizational knowledge to understand the political topography and have the ability to read changes in the organization and shifts in the agendas of key executives and influencers. In addition, these employees leverage industry-specific knowledge during the course of improvement projects, so it is also important to have CPM office employees with deep industry experience.

Collaborative maturity. My research has also found that CPM office personnel are willing and interested in traveling throughout the enterprise. Because of their position, they have to work hori-zontally and vertically through networks that they develop up and down the organization. That is, they must have the political maturity to navigate the company’s formal — and informal — channels of communication and influence. The combination of effective teaming skills and CPM subject matter expertise creates the edge necessary for rapidly implementing change and making a sustainable difference. These mature and seasoned employees have been through numerous transformation programs and have developed an awareness of the factors that facilitate rapid and successful change in their organization. ###