Jeff Varney

Jeff Varney, PMP, Sr. Adviser, Process Improvement Practice Lead

Jeff Varney is a senior adviser and leads the process improvement practice within APQC’s Advisory Services Group. He is responsible for the implementation of business process management and performance improvement, knowledge management, custom benchmarking, and performance measurement. A significant part of Varney’s role is change management—working with organizations to manage change for their initiatives. All improvement projects, whether process- or knowledge-based, require strong change management to achieve desired outcomes.

Varney coordinates research and custom projects for business process management and process improvement (e.g., Lean and Six Sigma) spanning all industries and disciplines. Jeff co-authored a paper on the status of green supply chain maturity within the United States. He also led research on best practices in new product development and total life cycle configuration management. Varney’s role includes developing and implementing solutions that combine KM approaches with process improvement efforts. This combination of methodologies yields compelling business results.

Varney is APQC’s program director for energy and utility initiatives. This includes coordinating all Smart Grid efforts and supporting the T&D committee of the EUCG. Jeff was instrumental in the development of the Smart Grid Maturity Model and the associated assessment and performance surveys being used by a growing number of electric utilities worldwide. He also worked closely with the Department of Energy to gather data on the current state of Smart Grid in the United States as part of its 2008 report to Congress.

Varney is an instructor for many of APQC’s training courses, including Process Mapping, Building and Sustaining Communities of Practice, Measuring KM, and Applying Benchmarking Skills in Your Organization.

Varney has extensive experience with enterprise projects across multiple industries, including software development, banking, insurance, military, and space. In each instance, he has been a catalyst for process improvement and innovation by leading PMI certification efforts, driving SEI CMM and ISO 9001 adoption, driving Six Sigma initiatives, establishing balanced scorecard reporting, and nurturing strong, effective teams. He made it happen through a blend of process improvement, technology, and training.

As a Project Management Professional and member of the Project Management Institute, Varney regularly contributes to his local chapter, most recently leading a panel discussion on PMO best practices. He consistently advocates knowledge sharing, mentoring, and process improvement with his peers.

Prior to joining APQC, Varney worked with CSC as its banking PMO director, establishing a project management office that merged three disparate cultures (due to acquisitions) into a single, cohesive project management and reporting practice. He established and maintained several practices and assisted in the creation of an opportunity management approach. A more structured sales process was born.

Varney has participated in and has led technology projects with CSC, Raytheon, and McDonnell Douglas. These included custom call center solutions, military command and control applications, and the International Space Station. With a degree in aerospace engineering, Varney has a strong technical background that complements his experience in management, process improvement, and knowledge management.