Case Study

The Challenge

The Financial Services client embarked on a pivotal transformation project to significantly enhance its operations. 18 months into the project, it became apparent that achieving the ambitious goals set out required recalibration; marked by delays and budget adjustments, the initial objectives were yet to be fully realised. This situation, while challenging, opened avenues for strategic reassessment and realignment.

In response to these complexities, Perform’s Change Squad was brought on board. Our role was to conduct a thorough evaluation of the project’s current trajectory, reassess the business case, and formulate a strategy to realign the project with achievable timelines and budget forecasts. This step was critical for setting the project back to success.

At the core of this engagement was the understanding that despite the significant effort and resources already invested, the project’s outcomes were falling short of expectations. This discrepancy signalled the need for a strategic intervention to bridge the gap between planned objectives and current progress. With Perform Partners’ expertise, the project was poised for a strategic turnaround, aiming to fulfil the initial vision with adjusted timelines and budgets, ensuring the client’s ambitious project could meet its goals.

Our Approach

Our Change Squad implemented a structured approach to address the challenges faced by the project:

1. Initial Assessment: Upon engagement, we conducted a rapid assessment to comprehensively understand the project’s current state. This involved reviewing the initial business case, assessing the project’s progress, and identifying areas of concern regarding schedule and budget.
2. Stakeholder Engagement: Our team engaged with sponsors and key stakeholders from both business and technical teams to understand the project’s objectives and its value to the customer’s organisation. This collaborative approach ensured alignment with stakeholders’ expectations and vision.
3. Holistic Analysis: We interacted with various team members, including project managers, architects, and engineers, to gain insights into the project’s execution. They assessed whether team efforts were aligned with the project’s vision and whether there was a shared understanding of desired outcomes.
4. Data-Driven Reporting: Our team compiled their findings into a structured report tailored to the senior leadership team. This report included underpinning data to support key findings and recommendations, facilitating informed decision-making at the executive level.
5. Identification of Communication Gaps: Perform Partners identified communication gaps as a primary issue contributing to project delays and cost overruns. They emphasised the importance of consistent communication from the initial vision to its translation at various management levels.
6. Timely Intervention: Recognising the situation’s urgency, we aimed to provide actionable recommendations within a short timeframe. They delivered initial insights within the first week and refined their recommendations over subsequent weeks based on ongoing assessments.
7. Streamlining Workflows: Perform Partners advocated streamlining workflows by reducing unnecessary meetings and implementing concurrent workstreams. This approach aimed to enhance productivity and ensure a clearer understanding of critical dependencies.
8. Simplified Documentation: Our team recommended shifting from complex, detailed project plans to simpler, visual documentation formats. This approach facilitated better understanding among stakeholders, particularly senior leadership, and enabled quicker decision-making.
9. Continuous Monitoring and Adaptation: Our Change Squad emphasised the importance of continuous monitoring and adaptation. They provided tools such as executive summary packs, dependency trackers, and decision trackers to help stakeholders stay informed and make informed decisions.
10. Client Collaboration: We collaborated closely with the client throughout the process, ensuring that recommendations were well-received and implemented effectively. They addressed conflicts and managed stakeholder expectations to facilitate buy-in and align the project with business objectives.
11. Adaptability: The team demonstrated an adaptive response to the project’s challenges, focusing on delivering value quickly and tailoring their approach based on evolving circumstances. They aimed to steer the project in the right direction within three to four weeks, leveraging their expertise and experience.

Our approach focused on collaboration, data-driven analysis, and timely intervention to address the project’s challenges effectively and drive it towards success.