The telecommunication industry is evolving at a rapid clip. To meet ever-shifting customer expectations—and remain Chile’s top player in the industry—Entel, a PMI Global Executive Council member, is making massive infrastructure
investments. But those projects must align to the
company’s growth strategy.
That’s why the organization’s PMO uses a clearly
defined project evaluation, prioritization and selection process to keep initiatives in line. Each project
proposal must include a business case that outlines
all of the strategic areas, such as cellular customer
service, that could be impacted during execution.
“With this evaluation, we can allocate the right
resources to projects that will generate the highest
value to the company, clients and stakeholders,”
says Santiago Villarroel Ávila, PMO deputy manager, Entel.
On average, the PMO supports around 730 projects and more than 200 project managers at any given time. One of the most
impactful projects underway aims to provide mobile service and internet access
to isolated and rural areas covering more than 549 communities, 212 schools
and 373 kilometers (232 miles) of road. This US$136 million project is expected
to improve the quality of life of more than 85,000 people.
Entel’s PMO sets its projects up for success by focusing on project management maturity, which is established through improving and updating
project, program and portfolio practices to the latest standards and processes. To entice—and retain—Chile’s best and brightest project talent, the
company offers training programs and skill profiles for five job roles: project
engineer, project manager, senior project manager, program manager and
portfolio manager.
Together, these small-scale improvements help Entel meet its big-picture
strategic goals. And customers are happy: The company won Chile’s customer
satisfaction award for mobile service providers for the 13th consecutive year in
2015. And after 50 years operating solely in Chile, Entel expanded its horizons
in 2013 by starting operations in Peru.
“The PMO should have the strategic position within the company,” Mr. Villarroel Ávila says. “That’s how you understand and develop the capabilities that
will deliver a competitive advantage.”
PMO OF THE YEAR
FINALISTS
Strategy Connection
Organization: Entel
Location: Santiago, Chile
PMO launch: 2007
Sector: Telecommunications
Santiago, Chile
“The PMO
should have
the strategic
position within
the company.
That’s how
you … deliver
a competitive
advantage.”
—Santiago Villarroel Ávila, Entel