Client

The client was a Capital Projects PMO of a leading global pharmaceutical organization with a capital project portfolio in North and South America and throughout Europe and Asia.

Challenge

The Capital Projects - Project Management Office had been recently developed along with a formalized capital project management life cycle. Initially our scope of work was to develop a detailed best practice training based on the client’s life cycle and deliver it throughout the global PM environment. As with any global organization and especially with a senior PM and engineering-centric audience, cultural resistance and reticence to change would have to be artfully acknowledged and systematically overcome.

Solution

Intentionally steering away from a 3-day lecture-based training, we worked closely with senior leaders of the Global PMO to develop detailed case studies using actual capital project scenarios to fully illustrate the life cycle’s best practices and work hands-on with global colleagues using the supportive tools and practices. To tackle the cultural resistance and reticence to change, we designed an interactive and engaging training program that focused on practical applications rather than theoretical lectures. This approach allowed participants to see the direct relevance and benefits of the new practices, facilitating a smoother transition.

We conducted workshops and hands-on sessions where participants could actively engage with the new tools and methodologies, fostering a collaborative learning environment. By incorporating real-life scenarios, we ensured that the training was relatable and impactful, addressing the specific challenges faced by the organization. Additionally, we provided continuous support and feedback throughout the training process, enabling participants to adapt and integrate the best practices effectively.

Based on the first year’s rollout, lessons learned, project reviews, and the results of a formal industry benchmarking analysis, we would revisit and refine the overall life cycle and best practices as required, ensuring continuous improvement and alignment with industry standards.

Benefits

The client experienced remarkable benefits from the implementation of our solution. Over a year-long training cycle, which included over 20 detailed project peer reviews, benchmarking sessions, and multiple internal global PM conferences, the organization saw significant, tangible improvements. They achieved the implementation and cultural acceptance of a globally benchmarked and industry-recognized "best in class" capital project life cycle and methodology. This new approach was adopted across the organization, enhancing their engineering and project management practices through the global adoption of Front-End Loading principles.

The organization was able to rapidly assess and turn around multiple business-critical projects that were previously in distress and in danger of failure. Additionally, they implemented a global project technical procurement program that saved millions in its first year alone. The focus on Value Improvement Practices, which emphasized early understanding of the project's design basis and detailed technical cognizance, led to marked increases in individual project ROI and IRR.

The internal validation of the Global PMO as a service-based entity and a practical partner in overall Project Governance further strengthened the organization's project management capabilities. These comprehensive benefits underscored the success of the solution and positioned the client for sustained growth and efficiency.