High Profile Project Health Check
SMS Ref #: CS00035
A major bank required an expert, independent status check on a high profile project that would have lasting, far reaching repercussions if executed poorly.
The bank was undertaking a high risk, high profile project with an investment in excess of $80 million. It was imperative that this project be conducted in the most efficient manner possible, to produce results that not only met, but in many cases exceeded, initial expectations. Poor execution would result in significant repercussions for customers and damage to the bank's standing as one of Australia’s leading financial institutions.
SMS was engaged to conduct a rigorous review of the project’s status and potential benefit realisation.
SMS conducted a review of the entire project over an intensive period, interviewing key stakeholders and challenging the existing business case where necessary to ensure validity, relevance, and potential for successful completion.
SMS consultants utilised the SMS project review toolkit to:
- assess and challenge existing business case to ensure justification and expectations were aligned
- review governance and project controls to ensure effective performance management
- interview key external and internal stakeholders to identify potential roadblocks to success
- measure pilot results against required key project milestones to establish realistic performance management systems
SMS developed and presented a detailed report containing prioritised recommendations to ensure the project remained on track.
SMS delivered a report containing detailed recommendations on how to refine and modify the existing project implementation strategy. This report not only highlighted areas of improvement, but provided the bank with specific tactics to ensure a project completion that exceeded expectations.
One of the bank’s highest profile (and greatest risk) projects to date was delivered in line with all business requirements with no disruption to end customers or technology systems.
The bank’s steering committee implemented SMS’s recommendations to great benefit. As a result, the project was delivered on time, to budget, and with no negative impact to its customers.