Our Approach

Project Leaders advocates that leadership allows for effective control by utilising two principles:

• Asking the questions, receiving the answer and validating the response (QAV)
• Have we treated the subject matter correctly, is the output accurate and can we validate this output (CAV).

This simple but effective approach forms our methodology, coupled with an unyielding focus which drives results. Project Leaders’ approach translates leadership of management by allowing the functional teams to follow procedures through natural choice.

Our approach is best summarised as DDAPM; a methodology that describes the key steps in translating strategy into manageable, individual initiatives.

Destination – where are you trying to get to?

• Ensure you are working from the latest strategy; is it agreed?
• Do you understand it?
• Can you interpret it so as to describe your destination in the short, medium and long-term?

Direction – how will you get there?

In order to know which direction to head in you need to know your destination and your current position:

• Do you understand your current state?
• Do you know and understand what initiatives you currently have running, or have planned?
• Can you identify and quantify the  goals, drivers, benefits, interdependencies and status?
• Have you set short, medium and long-term directions in order to reach your short, medium and long-term destinations?

Alignment – are we all heading in the same direction?

This step focuses on initiatives that are not aligned to your chosen direction:

• Can they easily be realigned?
• What are the costs and other consequences of doing so?
• Where are the major residual gaps?

Prioritisation – are we all working on the most important things?

The portfolio of change needs to be prioritised and optimised.  Prioritise individual initiatives on the basis of:

• Alignment
• Contribution
• Feasibility

Management – are we working effectively?

The final stage, “M”, in the DDAPM journey is the management of the initiatives. However well selected the initiatives, the benefits will only accrue through implementation. The results will only be true benefits if they meet the current needs of the Programme and support the functional teams. It is necessary to revisit regularly the Direction, Alignment and Prioritisation and less frequently the Destination. 

Project Leaders believes in a holistic approach, integrating critical dimensions of management as the best way of ensuring the appropriate commitment, progress and generation of real support and benefits.