(Non)-Executive Crash Course – How to navigate large and complex transformation projects

Large complex transformation projects can make or break an executive career and even companies. 

 

As a senior executive you will find yourself rather sooner or later in a situation where you are the sponsor or a steering committee member of such a project.

 

Project sponsors and steering committee members are expected to have a keen knowledge of the organisation’s business, corporate strategy, and working relationships with other members of senior management, associated boards, other departments, and external stakeholders. 

 

In addition, they are expected to have a sound knowledge of the business case and an understanding of essential project management practices.

 

Unfortunately, most sponsors and steering committee members are unaware of these tacit expectations and are often not trained the aspects of project management that are relevant to them. 

 

This executive crash course will teach you the most relevant things you need to know as a senior executive that has the role of a project sponsor or steering committee member in a large and complex transformation project.

In this half day training I will show you how to;

 

> Deliver business value through projects.

> Recognize, manage, and reduce complexity.

> Select the right project manager and when to fire them.

> Recognize trouble on time.

> Prevent value creep.

> Create financial transparency.

> Achieve active stakeholder engagement.

> Implement lasting change.

 

We will discuss the role of the project sponsor, the steering committee and its members, and the project manager so you can set up an effective governance for your key business project and steer it to success.

Clients that have participate in this training are:

 

> C-level executives, partners at a professional service firm, and board members in the role of project sponsor.

> C-level executives, partners at a professional service firm, and board members in the role of steering committee member.

> Board members in a supervisory role on large and complex projects.

Some examples of large and complex transformation projects are:

 

> ERP, i.e. introduction or upgrade of SAP/Oracle/etc

> HC, i.e. introduction of Workday/SAP HCM

> CRM, i.e. introduction of Salesforce/MS Dynamics

> Modern Workplace, i.e. introduction of M365/G Suite

> Replacement of core banking / core insurance system

> Custom software development, i.e. a new product or service

> Post merger integrations

> Divestitures

 

The investment volumes of such projects are typically more than 5 mUSD. 

 

According to the Project Management Institute (PMI)’s 2018 Pulse of the Profession In-Depth Report, «1 in 4 organisations (26%) report that the primary cause of failed projects is inadequate sponsor support«. 

 

By contrast, «organisations with a higher percentage of projects that include actively engaged executive sponsors, report 40% more successful projects than those with a lower percentage of projects with actively engaged sponsors«.

 

And according to the 2015 Annual Review of Projects of the UKs National Audit Office “the effectiveness of the project sponsor is the best single predictor of project success or failure”. 

 

 

Let your project be a career accelerator instead of a career breaker. 

You can select from three options:

 

The training will be delivered through Google Meet. Select a date from the options below. If none of the dates fits your schedule you can request an additional date in the signup form.

 

The training will be delivered in person in a venue in Zurich. Select a date from the options below. If none of the dates fits your schedule you can request an additional date in the signup form.

 

I will come to your office. Minimum number of participants is 2. Within Switzerland I charge a fixed price of CHF 500,- for travel expenses, for all other countries I charge at cost.

Why would you as a C-level executive, partner of a professional service firm, or board member work with me?

 

> I have been a C-level executive myself at one of the Big 4 with responsibility for an annual budget of 30 mUSD and 80 FTE. Currently I am a non-executive board member at three companies. So I understand your role and responsibilities from experience.

 

> I have more than 20 years of experience in the financial and professional service industry.

 

> I have worked with your peers at companies like PwC, KPMG, Zurich Insurance, Bank Julius Bär, Helsana, Swiss Life, and Swisscard.

 

> I have been project sponsor, project manager, or steering committee member on dozens of large and complex technology transformation programs with budget responsibility up to 20 mUSD and more than 100 people working on a single project.

 

> I have delivered more than 250 mUSD in business value in these roles.

 

> I have significant international experience. Born in the Netherlands, I have lived in Germany, the USA, and Switzerland. I have done projects in more than 15 different countries, and traveled to 30 more.

CHF/USD/EUR 1900,- per person, excluding VAT.

 

You will receive an invoice shortly after your booking. Your seat is only guaranteed after payment.

Thank you for considering booking me for this training. If you have made up your mind you can book your training directly here. 

 

If you still have questions, just contact me. I will get back to you right away.