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. Such projects commonly have tight deadlines and complex commercial structures.
As well as requiring highly specialised and technically capable people, this project also involved working across complex customer boundaries and managing relationships with lenders, lenders’ advisors and the associated legal entourage.
The challenge
Our client needed to create fast and effective project management processes and develop a commercial sub-contract skill set to enable their 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.
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 this large-scale complex project.
This provided clarity to the project at a strategic level and practical tools for resolving issues and moving forward at a local level.
Our client said:
“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.”
Our approach
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 stressful 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
- Building commercial capability through coaching
The OUTCOME
The customer community recognised a significant improvement in the client’s objectivity and ability to self-manage, thanks to JA Consulting’s independent involvement.
Through coaching key individuals in project delivery, commercial management, and influencing skills, we were able to increase the effectiveness of critical milestone events and meetings. This support significantly improved the speed, coordination, and overall success of large-scale project delivery.
The goal was always to enable individuals to maximise their impact while being mindful of the stressful demands and deadlines of the project.
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