SUCCESS STORY

How JA Consulting helped deliver a large-scale project in a high-stress environment

Clarifying the line between information sharing and issue resolution in a high-stress environment...

INDUSTRY: Secure Telecoms

Our client is a leader in large scale telecommunications delivery working on a technically complex PFI funded project. The client relies heavily on the smooth running of its commercial department for the negotiation of new contracts as well as the interpretation and commercial implementation of existing ones.

The challenge

Our client needed to create fast and effective project management processes and develop a commercial sub-contract skill set to enable this large-scale project to be delivered. With tight deadlines and a heavy investment profile, risk management would be critical to the success of the project and, ultimately, the company.

What happened?

People: Individual development

Having identified the senior management needs, we aligned each individual with a coach and developed a tailored, flexible programme for each. These included 1-2-1 sessions and “on the job” observation integrating elements of coaching, training and mentoring depending on the needs of the individual and their role. The goal was always to enable individuals to maximise their impact while being mindful of the demands and deadlines of such a large-scale and complex project.

Working Together: Meeting and review facilitation

JA Consulting facilitated most key customer meetings, particularly those which had a high impact if unsuccessful:

    • Structuring content and process
    • Designing and implementing design reviews, customer reviews and other official milestone events
    • Coaching senior technical staff in presentation techniques and question handling
    • Developing game plans for subcontractor and customer interaction

Delivery: Robust process management

Working at all levels, we developed a robust overall approach that met the specific criteria imposed on our client by its customer. We also worked with particular areas of the project to develop practical and creative ways to meet project deadlines and demands. Throughout this process, we focussed on transferring skills and knowledge as part of the process delivery:

    • Advising senior management on the organisational and management framework required for delivery
    • Creating and implementing structured approaches for subcontractor negotiations and issue solving
    • Problem-solving with specialist teams
    • Leadership (and co-leadership) of critical project areas
    • Fast-track project management techniques

How the client benefitted

The complex customer environment was being addressed inconsistently across the organisation.

By addressing key aspects of the project at different levels, we were able to see the whole picture and draw out key strategic themes for the management level to address in addition to providing local support for different areas of the project.

This provided clarity to the project at a strategic level and practical tools for resolving issues and moving forward at a local level.

The results

The customer community saw the client as being able to self-manage and, through our independence, recognised the improvement in objectivity through the involvement of JA Consulting. In addition, through coaching key individuals in project, commercial management and influencing skills, we were able to increase the effectiveness of critical milestone events and meetings and generally improve the speed and coordination of delivery.​

“Many thanks for your excellent facilitation. Facilitation is all about cutting through the behavioural barriers in meetings to make them more effective. We have worked with several members of the JA Consulting team, from meetings to large reviews of 70+.

They have an uncanny ability to manage the process and focus on the key issues whilst maintaining robust independence. Despite operating in a friendly, flexible and facilitative manner, it’s clear that a lot of planning has gone into whatever they do. A great team that brings with them success.”

The goal was always to enable individuals to maximise their impact while being mindful of the demands and deadlines of the project.​

More Success Stories

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Our broad experience means we can quickly make interventions that are pragmatic and built on what the best do – and often brought to life with real case illustrations.

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