Project interface maps provide a powerful way to understand how work is actually done, both internally and externally to the project, as well as how one project is related to another. A project interface map uses data to provide management with empirical information on the real structure and relationships of project teams, between project teams and between projects themselves. The data shows whether a relationship between two or more nodes exists, and the value of that relationship. The data can be weighted or have attributes associated with it. The results are then displayed graphically or in tabular format.

A project interface map reveals the informal and the formal networks using the project as the unit of analysis. Project interface maps provide a powerful way to understand how work is actually done, both internally and externally to the project, as well as how one project is related to another. It allows projects to be evaluated, measured and supported. Specifically a project interface map can be used to:

• Accelerate the flow of information and knowledge across functional and project boundaries by detecting and correcting information bottlenecks.
• Identify opportunities for intra-departmental knowledge flow improvements.
• Improve decision making in senior leadership and middle-management networks by plotting project dependencies.

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