Leveraging Project Management
Techniques in Sports Officiating
A PM Who is Also a
Basketball Referee
Dean J. Layman
June 24, 2013
Background
My Avocation – High School
Basketball Officiating
 International Association of
Approved Basketball Officials
(IAABO)
 IT Program Manager at SAIC
 Leverage PM Techniques in both
 Stress Trends

The “Projects”

The Season

The “Big Project”
and

The Game

The Tasks
The PMBOK Process Groups








Initiation
Planning
Execution
Monitoring and Controlling
Closing
All five (5) are applicable to these officiating
projects
Time, cost, and scope management not really
applicable
Interscholastic sports are an extension of the
educational process
Project Initiation

Season
Acquire and/or renew rules knowledge
 Acquire and understand school
contracts
 Goals: Organizational and individual


Game
Game Assignment
 Coordination with Partner(s)
 Continual Rules Study

Basketball Rules Knowledge

A-1 is fouled by B-1. Team A is in the bonus,
but the official erroneously awards a throw-in to
Team A instead. B-1 steals the inbound pass
and drives to the basket only to miss the lay-up.
A-2 rebounds the ball and is dribbling up the
court when the coach for Team A requests a
time-out for a correctable error. The official
recognizes the error and then awards A-1 the
bonus free throws with no one lined up. Then,
the official awards the ball to Team A for a
throw-in. Is the official correct? Yes or No
Project Planning

Season
Physical training
 Determine availability for game
scheduling
 Assignor: Resource assignments


Game
Logistics – Travel, Uniform, Meals
 Pre-Game Officials Conference
 Mental Preparation

Project Execution

Season
Fulfill all game assignments
 Continual physical training


Game
Enforce the Rules
 Split-Second Decision Making
 Pre-Game Conferences
 Communicate, Communicate,
Communicate

Project Monitoring and Controlling

Season
Coordination and Communication with
Board officers and assignor
 Complete Game Reports
 Quality Assurance (Evaluations)


Game
Halftime Officials Conference
 Coordination with Scorekeepers and
Timekeepers

Project Closing

Season
End-of-season meetings with schools
 Invoicing
 Financial reporting


Game
Game Review by Officials
 Complete Game Reports
 Lessons Learned

The Critical Success Factor

Communications with the
Stakeholders
Administrators
 Coaches
 Officials
 Scorekeepers/Timekeepers
 Players
 Fans

Communications Plan






Effective communication enables
successful game management
Whistles, signals, voice, non-verbals
Selective listening
The “Out-Nicing, But Firm” Philosophy
Conflict Management
E-Mail, Assignments by Web, Telephone
More Basketball Rules Knowledge


A-6 (who is wearing #10) enters the game. The
official notices that the number on the front is
red and the number on the back is blue. The
official rules that the shirt is illegal because the
numbers must be of the same color. Is the
official correct?
B-1 intentionally extends his/her leg to deflect a
pass by A-1. The ball hits B-1 in the inner thigh.
The official rules this is a kicking violation and
awards the ball back to Team A. Is the official
correct?
Other PM Aspects of Importance
Interpersonal Skills
 Ethics
 Safety
 Recognition
 Procurement
 Leadership
 Resource Assignment
 Mentoring

My Contact Information

Dean J. Layman



Office: 301-623-2663
Cell: 410-299-8320
E-Mail: [email protected]
More Basketball Rules Knowledge

A-1 goes up and dunks the ball, and
then before he lands on the floor A-1
charges into B-1. Team B is in the
bonus. The official calls the foul on A-1
and scores the two points for Team A.
Play is resumed with a bonus free throw
situation for Team B. Is the official
correct?