Overcoming Project Challenges for a Leading Financial Advisory Organisation

Securing the Delivery of Four Critical Projects

Partners in Change (PiC) recently partnered with a leading UK financial services organisation to drive four critical projects in their digital growth programme to safe, successful, and on-time delivery.

Immediate Action: Stepping In to Provide Critical Support

Upon arrival in July, PiC consultants immediately recognised the urgent need for expert support. Nick Sarsfield, an experienced Associate at PiC, was selected to lead the charge in this high-pressure environment. Known for his ability to stay calm under pressure and his deep experience across a range of sectors, Nick’s approach to leadership was key to the success of the project. Reflecting on the early days of the project, Nick said: We knew we had to hit the ground running. The challenge was significant, but we couldn’t afford to let that stop us. Every decision had to be made with precision, and we had to inspire confidence in the client that we could turn this around." Nick’s leadership went beyond just delivering results. He also mentored the client’s team, ensuring they developed the skills they needed to succeed. Nick took on the dual role of project leader and coach, guiding less experienced project managers and providing crucial support to help them navigate the challenges. His ability to balance multiple responsibilities, all while maintaining focus on the client’s objectives, demonstrated why PiC wisely chose him for such a critical role.

The Team: Collaborating for Success

Simon Clayton, a highly skilled Consultant at PiC, joined Nick Sarsfield – the programme manager – to stabilise and then deliver one of these projects. This project had been running for several months before Simon arrived, and while it had gathered a detailed set of requirements, it did not have a clearly defined and believable plan for delivery. To gain stakeholder confidence that this project could and would be delivered on time, several quick actions were taken:

• Appointment of a product owner.
• Agreement of a minimum viable product (MVP) scope that was deliverable in the required timeframe with real benefits to the business.
• Defining a project delivery plan based on this MVP.

These initial steps allowed the skilled agile development team to successfully achieve the necessary velocity in their sprint-based workstream plan, so the focus could switch to engagement with and training of the diverse groups of end users. After several months of focused effort and close collaboration between the receiving areas of the business, the project team, and the product owner, the programme’s senior stakeholders were able to make a positive “go” decision for the deployment of the MVP solution. Importantly, PiC’s involvement went beyond just delivering the projects on time. We also worked to up-skill the programme team members so they would be able to deliver the subsequent projects’ releases with greater confidence and certainty. This is a key part of the PiC brand promise. Nick’s collaborative mindset was a driving force behind the success of the project. “It's about teamwork,” Nick emphasised. “We couldn't have done it alone. Each team member played a vital role in getting the project back on track. When you’re facing challenges like these, you need the best people around you, and that’s what we had at PiC.” His trust in his team and his ability to collaborate effectively were crucial to overcoming obstacles and driving the project forward.

The Transformation: Delivering Results Against the Odds

Over the following months, PiC consultants worked diligently to restore momentum and deliver results. By November, just four months after PiC’s involvement began, the previously stalled projects had turned around -one project was completed, another was on track, and the others had moved from "red" to "green" or "amber." This marked a significant improvement and demonstrated PiC’s ability to drive positive outcomes even in the most challenging environments.

Client Empowerment: Building Long-Term Success

Our involvement went beyond just delivering the projects on time; we also worked to empower the client’s team. By equipping them with the skills and confidence to continue without our support, we ensured that the client would be able to move forward successfully after the projects were completed. PiC’s commitment to leaving clients in a better position than we found them was essential, allowing the client to regain control and continue with confidence.

Conclusion: Resilience, Collaboration, and Success

The transformation was not without its challenges. The team faced long hours, constant problem-solving, and the pressure of keeping everything on track. However, thanks to Nick’s resilience and leadership, Simon’s experience, and the collaborative spirit of the PiC team, the client’s projects were brought back from the brink of failure. “This was one of the most challenging environments I’ve worked in, but also one of the most rewarding,” Nick reflected. “PiC’s ability to get the right people involved at the right time was key to the success we achieved.” Simon Shares: “This was a tough but ultimately satisfying engagement. It was very rewarding to see the much-increased productivity and confidence in the core project team as we approached the MVP go-live.” This success story is a testament to PiC’s ability to deliver quality results under pressure, showcasing Nick as an effective, efficient, and trustworthy leader who rose to the challenge. It also highlights the collaborative approach that is at the heart of PiC’s success -where every team member plays a vital role in overcoming challenges and delivering exceptional results.