Program Management & Organizational Effectiveness

Drexel University's Office of Program Management & Organizational Effectiveness (PMOE) drives strategic, institution-wide initiatives by providing consistent project management and organizational effectiveness expertise. By standardizing processes and partnering closely with faculty and professional staff, PMOE ensures that major projects are aligned with Drexel’s mission, strengthen operations and financial stability, and advance the University’s long-term strategic vision.

Mission & Vision

Mission: To advance Drexel University’s strategic priorities by delivering expert project management, fostering organizational excellence, and enabling cross-campus collaboration. We partner with academic and administrative units to design and execute initiatives that strengthen operations, enhance the student and employee experience, and support Drexel’s long-term institutional success.

Vision: To be a trusted, strategic partner that empowers the Drexel community to plan, execute, and sustain transformative initiatives with clarity, consistency, and measurable impact—ensuring that every project contributes meaningfully to the University’s mission, agility, and future vision.

Services and Capabilities

PMOE provides the following services. Email us at pmoe@drexel.edu and a member of our team will be in contact to schedule an exploratory meeting to learn more about your needs and how we can best support you.

• Strategy Development & Alignment
• Process Improvement & Optimization
• Project & Program Management
• Metrics & Visualizations/Timelines
• Change Management & Organizational Effectiveness
• Final Summary of Projects with Clear Project Outcomes

Resources & Tools

PMOE provides practical support materials for members of the Drexel community to help manage their own project(s) that are not overseen by the PMOE team directly. Please visit our PMOE SharePoint site for templates, checklists, best practices and guidelines, as well as more detailed information about our services.

How We Work: Our Methodology

PMOE uses a consistent, collaborative, and transparent methodology to help Drexel’s academic and administrative units plan, execute, and sustain strategic initiatives. Our approach ensures that every project is aligned with the University’s mission, supported by data, and delivered through structured, repeatable processes that promote clarity and accountability.

Strategic Alignment & Discovery: Every engagement begins with understanding the project’s purpose, institutional impact, and alignment with Drexel’s strategic priorities. PMOE partners with sponsors and stakeholders to clarify goals, define scope, and establish shared expectations for outcomes and success measures.

Clear Roles & Responsibilities (The RACI Model): To promote accountability and reduce ambiguity, PMOE implements the RACI responsibility model for all major initiatives. Using RACI early in the project lifecycle ensures teams understand individual and collective responsibilities, supporting more efficient decision-making and smoother project execution.

• Responsible: Those completing the work
• Accountable: The decision-maker who owns the outcome
• Consulted: Individuals providing input or expertise
• Informed: Stakeholders who must stay up to date

A Structured Project Lifecycle: PMOE uses a four-phase lifecycle that provides clarity from initiation through closure:

1. Planning: We work with internal stakeholders to define scope, develop a project charter, identify risks and dependencies, and build a realistic timeline supported by a detailed work plan.
2. Execution: We facilitate collaboration and drive progress by coordinating tasks, monitoring deliverables, resolving issues, and maintaining clear communication among all involved parties.
3. Monitoring & Reporting: Using standardized status reports, dashboards, and tools, we ensure transparency, track performance against goals, and escalate risks or decision needs to sponsors promptly.
4. Closure & Transition: Projects conclude with a summary report that includes an evaluation of outcomes, lessons learned, and a sustainability or handoff plan to ensure long-term success.

Tools We Use to Drive Success: PMOE leverages a suite of collaborative and project management tools to support visibility and consistency. These tools help teams stay organized, understand progress, and make informed decisions throughout the project lifecycle.

• Microsoft Planner: For task tracking, timelines, and visual boards
• Microsoft Teams: For communication, file sharing, and real-time collaboration
• RACI charts: To clarify roles
• Risk and issue logs: To track challenges and mitigation plans
• Templates and forms: For charters, agendas, and closure

Continuous Improvement Mindset: Organizational effectiveness is at the heart of our work. We emphasize data-informed decision-making and measurable outcomes to ensure that improvements are sustained beyond project completion. PMOE applies improvement principles to help units:

• Analyze operational challenges
• Streamline processes
• Enhance communication flows
• Reduce inefficiencies
• Strengthen service delivery 

Engaging With Stakeholders: We work collaboratively across Drexel, involving stakeholders at the right moments and ensuring their voices guide project direction. We believe that strong relationships and open communication lead to more successful and sustainable outcomes. Our engagement model includes:

• Regular status meetings and touchpoints
• Defined decision-making pathways
• Clear communication plans tailored to each project
• Collaborative workshops and discovery sessions
• Transparent updates for leadership and impacted groups