Delivering Change

Overview | How does it work?

Evidence is growing that Projects often fall well short of expectations in most areas. Promised performance does not materialise, cost savings are not achieved and the transition risk turned out to be higher than projected.

Disappointment can be avoided. Our approach has a high predictive content and the tools we use, as well as the training we give – install security of delivery and timescales for execution. We apply the best elements of project management and engineering disciplines to build programmes of all sizes that deliver certain results fast.

Investing in change or development is getting tougher – it is not that needs do not exist, in fact most organisations now have a bigger backlog of projects than they had five years ago. The change is in the restriction funding and the increasingly risk averse nature of managers and investors alike – following a period of under delivery.

Greater uncertainty in markets and increasing complexity in development combine to put the brake on many initiatives that would introduce innovation to build competitiveness and and power and pace through improved performance and effectiveness.

For many companies, budgets just do not exist for big projects even if the return on investment is rapid so while large scale project management is very much a core competence for ARGATE – we have compressed many of the tools and techniques to deliver rapid results. And these work independent of the function or sector in which they are applied – as effective in Marketing – Human Resource or Supply Chain or Manufacturing.

Many new initiatives begin with trepidation – what exactly are the objective and purpose, when can development begin and when will it be ready. How much will it cost, how much will it save and how well will it works? What do we need to achieve our goals – can we do it alone or do we need support and direction.

Our methodology concentrates on taking out. That is the precise removal of effort and time, cost and risk. In this approach we significantly reduce the lead time to launch and the elapsed time to delivery. We remove the distraction factor and increase the quality of stage development, taking traditional serial processes and converting these to parallel – collapsing the overall timescale of development.

Our ROI tools seek out clear relationships between investment and cost but also look at the likely improvements to revenue, margin and even leverage where market advantage can be secured.

How does it work?

Vision – Concept – Proposal
In the first stage a fast track evaluation programme looks at real world feasibility and assembles a structured business case. Typically we do this through a planned and structured evaluation exercise lasting only one day. Through this the needs are assessed or confirmed, Project roles and candidates identified, existing processes are evaluated against future plans and business benefits are ID-ed – the change impacts assessed.

The output from this first phase is a customised set of proven tools gain internal acceptance – scope, outcome, risk and the benefits and costs in a compact business case.

Specification - Design
Progress in stage two is secured by the evaluation and planning in phase one – our specialists are trained to help your people prepare a full Project Programme with detailed plans for execution. This would identify resource requirements – particularly the phasing aspect – confirm the total and phase elapsed times. And the measurement, evaluation and reporting regime. Benefits securitisation is also part of this phase through thorough business modelling. All of the work is carried out using proven templates that can be modified to suit your specific requirements but still allow significant time reduction in the early phase and secure consistency of execution through standardisation.

Although training – with full skills transfer – is continuous throughout our Project Programmes, it is in this Phase that most emphasis is placed on getting your people to high performance levels.

Construction – Prototype
In phase Three we move out of the Vision-Concept-Design stage to the construction and implementation of agreed and funded initiatives. This involves detailed solution specification and design of the architecture in which it will sit. Integration is often a key feature of our Projects and linkages within the organisational framework are carefully considered at this point. Documentation is also important – with tools to help.

Testing – Rectification
Stage Four is testing pre-deployment. Testing is not just for technical or mechanical construction – we believe that all change or development initiatives can be tested and use a range of methods and tools to synthesise real life. Often linked to the formal training of end users – including those at a senior level, testing is a great way to involve the wider community of users or operators

Installation and Commissioning
This Stage Five applies just as well to a new organisation as it does a new system. Here we ensure that before full utilisation all the projected benefits of the project are deliverable and that the inevitable modifications have been accepted so there are no surprises.

Deployment – Implementation
Stage Six – we are still with when you move out of project into process and full configuration and operation. We stay with your Teams until they are fully confident – as are the Users or other internal customers – that everything works

Post Implementation and Maintenance
Stage Seven – and then we come back. To assist with the post implementation review and move the Project fully out of implementation into maintenance.

We secure success and avoid surprises – and we save you time, money – distress an distraction. We can even do it all for you if you are short of skills or resources – or don’t want to lose frontline staff. But even when we are operating on your behalf – we are not operating independently.

Click here for information on our Resource Optimisation Programmes

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