Guiding Projects, Guarding Success

There’s no better depiction of agility, dedication and trust than that of a sheepdog guiding their flock safely home. Watching these incredible animals at work leaves you in awe and it’s hard not to draw parallels to how teams aspire to organise and coordinate in the work environment toward a common objective.

As we know, Project Management (PM) is the vehicle that provides the framework for assembling teams, tasks and timelines and ensuring the governance required to meet these objectives. Unfortunately, PM is not always as expected and often does not meet the needs of rapidly evolving tech teams. Having spent years on the one side of the fence, in corporate as the customer, and then on the other as a consulting services provider, we’ve gathered some key learnings about what works and what doesn’t and how these learnings can be used to transform the PM space.

Reading the room. Every project is unique, not just in terms of what is technically required, but also in terms of the people, culture and ways of working. Some companies have an extremely formal approach and require strict governance practices to be adhered to, others are more informal, flexible and require a lighter touch, while others may not have any specific structure and require guidance. This is where PM services need to be in tune with the correct fit to approach the project, what methodologies to apply and the best way to engage effectively. Spending some time initially to understand the culture fit, how the client operates and the best approach to adopt will be hugely beneficial to making early progress.

Being flexible. There are many project methodologies ranging from various waterfall and agile approaches, however some of these textbook approaches can be antiquated and may not necessarily meet the rapidly changing needs of a modern tech team. Projects can be filled with unexpected changes, twists and turns, and an effective PM needs to be able to rapidly adapt and guide the team without sacrificing the total project outcome. Having a methodology that adopts a hybrid approach which keeps a waterfall standard for broad phases but also allows the flexibility of agile working for tactical challenges, gives your project that flexibility when needed.

Bringing value. Project Management should be more than just people chasing and box-ticking. Too often well-groomed PM’s lack the business functional knowledge or technical experience to bring any meaningful input to stakeholder engagement. Not only does this relegate them to admin tasks in the PM framework, but it also excludes them from bringing insights in the moment to guide the team. Having the knowledge and expertise to understand what the business requires, and empathise with the challenges technical team faces, makes the difference to bring true advisory power to PM engagements and key decisions.

Innovation. There is a vast amount of technology available to support modern projects such as PM tools that include planning, collaboration and tracking. But bringing innovation to a project is more than just selecting a tool, it’s about customising to fit the specifics of the project and exploring opportunities to incorporate AI and automation. Innovation is also not limited to technology, and creating innovative processes to tackle problems will help navigate the typical risks and pitfalls.

Sheepdog Projects was established to bring a fresh approach to PM and apply these and many other learnings with the goal of transforming PM services to fit modern tech teams. Inspired by the analogy of the sheepdog and guiding project deliverables to the finish line.

Sheepdog offers a range of PM services and products including the following:

• Hybrid Project Methodologies: Recognising that one size does not fit all, Sheepdog Projects employs flexible methodologies that adapt to the specific needs of each project, ensuring both agility and robust governance.

• Extensive Library of Document Templates: To streamline processes and maintain consistency, a comprehensive collection of document templates is available, covering various aspects of project management.

• Integration with Third-Party Project Management Tools: Leveraging existing tools, Sheepdog Projects ensures seamless integration and enhanced functionality, aligning with the tools clients are already comfortable using.

• Project Performance Analytics: Data-driven insights are pivotal for informed decision-making. Sheepdog Projects provides detailed analytics to monitor progress, identify bottlenecks, and facilitate continuous improvement.

• Innovative Products: Sheepdog Projects has developed a range of proprietary tools to further enhance project management capabilities:

  • FastTrak™: Accelerates project initiation and planning phases, ensuring a swift and structured start.

  • PreChek™: Conducts comprehensive readiness assessments to identify potential risks and prepare mitigation strategies.

  • DoubleDown™: Focuses on resource optimisation, ensuring that teams are utilised effectively to meet project demands.

  • GatePass™: Implements structured phase-gate reviews to maintain quality and alignment with project objectives.

  • BaaRamEwe™: Enhances stakeholder engagement and communication, fostering collaboration and transparency.

Partnering for Success

Sheepdog partners with Insight Consulting, a distinguished player in the consulting industry known for providing a range of tech solutions and services. This collaboration allows Sheepdog Projects to tap into Insight Consulting's vast reservoir of skills and knowledge, further enhancing their project management offerings and supporting the new project management concept.