9/23/2008
Métier Melds Traditional Project Portfolio Management (PPM) With Web 2.0 Concepts

Métier Releases Chat, Wiki, Work Cloud™ and Amazon Integration In WorkLenz 5.8


Métier, Ltd., an innovator in project portfolio management (PPM) software and services, announced today the release of WorkLenz 5.8.  With this release, Métier is the first PPM software and services company to meld advanced collaboration, social networking and web 2.0 concepts with traditional project management to improve project and portfolio performance.   

Industry analysts and management experts agree that the most successful PPM initiatives integrate both tools and process.  In reports released this year, they emphasize that the demand is moving toward solutions that focus on program management, integration, collaboration and alternative delivery options.  Métier is ahead of the demand with the release of WorkLenz 5.8 and the recent introduction of the first outsourced, on demand project management office (PMO). 

Integrating social and collaborative concepts into WorkLenz enables smarter project management and enhanced portfolio planning and oversight.  It provides managers and executives with increased accessibility, resource management, visibility and sharing.  WorkLenz 5.8 debuts:

•    Live Chat – WorkLenz will integrate live chat functionality with its on demand PMO services, enabling users to chat real time with PPM subject matter experts and the analysts who support their projects. 
•    Wiki – Users, managers and analysts will be able to collaborate virtually through the wiki functionality to constantly refine process documents and share lessons learned and best practices.
•    Work Cloud – This is Métier’s PPM version of the tag cloud.  The Work Cloud displays words based on usage frequency within a project plan.  Work Clouds illuminate important concepts being expressed along a branch of the project portfolio taxonomy and can be compared to expected concepts.  Further, Work Clouds are color-coded to alert managers to potential project risks and deviations from expected versus actual performance. 
•    Amazon Integration – Amazon Integration is a mashup of WorkLenz and Amazon.com technology.  The integrated technology analyzes project data to proactively recommend Amazon.com books and resource materials relevant to the project team.  

“The practice of project management is changing.  No longer can project managers rely on isolated schedules and silos of information.  With the development of industry standards and advanced technologies, project and portfolio managers are able to plan faster, manage smarter and execute better,” said Métier CEO Douglas Clark.  “WorkLenz 5.8 melds today’s new social networking and web 2.0 phenomena with traditional project management tools and methodologies.  In doing so, we’ve created an unprecedented venue for collaboration within the project managers’ tool set that will drive improved project and portfolio performance.”

WorkLenz 5.8 is available on demand or on premise.  The software can be integrated with Métier’s onsite or virtual PMO services to deliver the only on demand, comprehensive PPM solution in the industry.

About Métier, Ltd.
Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, Métier provides innovative project portfolio management (PPM) that drives project success. Since 1998, Métier's suite of patented software and award winning services has delivered performance improvements for government agencies and Global 2000 corporations. Métier is ranked as one of the fastest growing, privately held companies in the U.S. by Inc. Magazine. For more information about how your organization can workforward, please visit www.metier.com or call 1-877-965-9501.


####