Vermont Electric Power Company Honored
with the
Project Management Institute's 2008 Distinguished Project Award
Denver, Colorado, USA (Oct 30, 2008) Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO), the nation's first ever "transmission only" company, has been honored by Project Management Institute (PMI) for earning "The PMI Distinguished Project Award", in recognition of VELCOs project management approach for the first project executed under VELCOs larger reliability program, the Northwest Vermont Reliability Project (NRP), a coordinated series of initiatives designed to provide reliable electrical transmission service to the state of Vermont and the New England Region. The PMI Distinguished Project Award rewards successful projects that have advanced project management concepts, techniques, practices or theories through the effective application of project management principles.
VELCO and its Vermont distribution utility owners had determined that electricity load growth was beginning to overload an aging electrical infrastructure and so sought approval for the NRP as its solution. From the project's inception, VELCO team members identified that this initiative would require the creation of a project management organization (PMO) to increase the level of project management capability across the organization. The value of this foresight is readily visible: instituting the PMO decreased costs by 35% even as the companys overall project work doubled.
The project team collaborated with executive management to create an innovative process to engage stakeholders gain their expertise and inspire their continued participation throughout the project life-cycle. By completing this project, VELCO has created the foundation for efficiently organizing and structuring future projects and challenges.
"The Northwest Vermont Reliability Project created an opportunity to apply the project management methodology," said John Donleavy, president and CEO of VELCO. "This award is a great honor and VELCO thanks all of our Associates and Contractors who earned it by making the NRP's 370 line project from West Rutland to New Haven a success. Their heartfelt commitment to continuous learning and hard work produces VELCO projects that conserve Vermont's picturesque landscape, save precious customer dollars and maintain essential electric system reliability."
"The success of an organization today depends on the ability of all of its parts to work cohesively to bring a return on investment," said Mark Langley, executive vice president and chief operating officer of PMI. "VELCO's PMO employed key project management processes to streamline operations within the company."
The PMI Distinguished Project Award was presented on 18 October during the PMI Awards Ceremony at PMI Global Congress 2008North America in Denver, Colorado.
* * *
About Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO)
Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO) was formed in 1956 when local utilities joined together to create the nation's first statewide, "transmission only" company in order to share access to clean hydro power and maintain the states transmission grid. VELCO's current system includes 650 miles of transmission lines, 34 substations, equipment that enables interconnected operations with Hydro-Quebec, and fiber optic communication networks that monitor and control the electric system, as well as provide the backbone for most Vermonters' high-speed data internet access. Today, the company is the country's fastest growing transmission company with 144 associates that work every day to ensure continued access to reliable, climate friendly power technology. Their commitment allows VELCO to serve as Vermonts transmission reliability resource. VELCO: moving power, moving forward.
About Project Management Institute (PMI)
Project Management Institute (pmi.org) is the leading advocate for the project management profession globally. Founded in 1969, PMI has more than 400,000 members and credential holders in 174 countries. PMIs Project Management Professional (PMP) credential is recognized as the only globally transferable credential in project management.
# # #
Vermont Electric Power Company Honored
with the
Project Management Institute's 2008 Distinguished Project Award
Denver, Colorado, USA (Oct 30, 2008) Vermont Electric Power Company (VELCO), the nation's first ever "transmission only" company, has been honored by Project Management Institute (PMI) for earning "The PMI Distinguished Project Award", in recognition of VELCOs project management approach for the first project executed under VELCOs larger reliability program, the Northwest Vermont Reliability Project (NRP), a coordinated series of initiatives designed to provide reliable electrical transmission service to the state of Vermont and the New England Region. The PMI Distinguished Project Award rewards successful projects that have advanced project management concepts, techniques, practices or theories through the effective application of project management principles.