consulting services

M&A Program Consulting

We can provide end-to-end programme management for M&A on either the buy or the sell side, leading teams from due diligence through organisational integration and benefits realisation. Change management is a vital part of any integration phase and a particular area of specialty.

project HEALTH CHECK

Get an independent, in-depth health assessment of your project

Project teams are often under pressure and siloed, unable to take a step back to view the full context of their progress. Employing an expert to review the project in a supporting and co-operative manner can help to find and close unrecognised gaps, provide course corrections and boost team confidence.

A project health assessment focuses on benefits realisation, stakeholder satisfaction, communications, project risks, timelines and budgets. The assessment methodology starts with a thorough review of any relevant documentation including project charter, methodology, scope & specifications, plans, status reports and any registers tracking communications, risks and issues.

Through project team interviews and surveys, we can assess the extent of role ownership, accuracy of status reporting and effectiveness of team collaboration and communications.

The deliverables are:

  • Verbal presentation of the findings and discussion of the recommendations

  • Written report detailing all findings and agreed recommendations

  • Follow-up actions such as occasional check-in assessments to monitor progress


project manager coaching & mentoring

Project managers often face demanding workloads and complex project environments that push the limits of their expertise. To help them thrive, not just survive, our coaching and mentoring services provide the essential support and guidance needed to navigate these challenges successfully.

Project Manager Coaching & Mentoring services may start with a formal project health check, but our focus is on problem solving as early as possible. After an initial intense intervention, we would set up regular check-ins throughout the remainder of the project We can also formally join the team and directly represent the project stakeholders in an appropriate role, such as Project Director.


distressed project recovery

Hire an experienced trouble-shooter to get a distressed project back on track

Projects can spiral out of control, jeopardising client relationships and diminishing returns. Integrating a seasoned program governance expert into the team can swiftly stabilise the project, sparing 'C' level executives the need to dissect problems and broker solutions. Our approach focuses on mentoring the existing team, not assuming their roles.

Where necessary renegotiation of terms or conciliation may be considered and our objective would then be to minimise delays and financial penalties.

Read about an example distressed project recovery…


Setting up a PMO

Setting up a PMO from scratch is a major undertaking and Project Insights does not manage the whole process, but rather offers guidance and support to companies establishing a PMO. The process involves several critical steps to ensure it effectively supports project delivery within the organisation. Our first task will be to work with the organisation to define what the PMO will be and the build a detailed plan for implementing it.

  • Define Objectives and Scope. Clearly define the purpose, objectives, and scope of the PMO. Determine whether it will have a strategic, controlling or supportive role.

  • Establish PMO Structure. Decide on the organisational structure of the PMO (centralised, decentralised or hybrid) based on the organisation's size, culture, and project management maturity.

  • Gain Executive Support. Secure buy-in from senior management. The success of the PMO largely depends on executive support for resources, authority, and alignment with business strategies.

  • Develop a PMO Charter. Create a PMO charter that outlines its mission, goals, functions, governance, roles and responsibilities, and how it fits within the organization.

  • Set Up PMO Governance. Establish governance processes to ensure projects align with organizational strategies and objectives. This includes project selection criteria, prioritization processes, and performance monitoring mechanisms.

  • Develop Project Management Methodologies. Most organisations will already have some level of methodology but it may not be fully documented or consistently used. Define and standardise project management methodologies, tools, and templates to ensure consistency and efficiency across projects. This may include methodologies like Agile, Waterfall, or a combination of both.

  • Implement Project Management Tools. Select and implement project management software tools to support project scheduling, resource management, budgeting, communication, and documentation. Many companies run their project on spreadsheets, and that can work well but centralised database applications should be considered. There are hundreds of applications available from the very basic, such as Motion, through to Uplands Tenrox and even Dynamics365.

  • Develop Talent and Skills. Assess and develop the project management competencies of PMO staff and project managers through training, certifications and mentoring programs.

  • Launch the PMO. Officially launch the PMO with clear communication to the organisation about its role, benefits, and how it will operate. Ensure the PMO team is ready to support project teams from day one.

  • Continuous improvement. Continuously monitor the performance of the PMO and projects. Use lessons learned to make iterative improvements to PMO processes and methodologies. Setting up a PMO is a significant undertaking that requires careful planning and execution. It's crucial to tailor the approach to the specific needs and maturity level of the organization.

千里之行始于足下

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” - Lao Tzu

- Leverage insights to set out on the right path -