Project Management and Technical Support for a multi-project initiative

The clients challenge

A large international client launched a major regional business campaign involving multiple complex vehicle projects. The various projects involved many different collaborating partners in several countries. Travel restrictions, different time zones and the fast-moving nature of the program created some significant challenges for the client. They were unable to participate in the frequent in-depth technical and program discussions and did not actually have specialised resources available who were experienced in the subject matter or could operate in the necessary time-zone.

The client needed to find a way to properly manage, control and provide technical input into these important projects in real-time and with capable resources operating in the same time-zone as the various international participants. In addition, the client needed regular reports and to have access to program information at any time during their own business day if the need arose.

Cytec’s solution

Cytec established a project team to manage the clients requirements. The team included technical and program management specialists experienced in the subject matter. We implemented a working structure that involved the following:

• Realtime interaction and support for international collaborative partners. We operated a working day aligned to their time-zone and maximised interaction throughout that working day.
• We allocated key points of contact for the client with guaranteed access and support through their own working day (there was only partial overlap with the international collaborative partners) resulting in program support coverage equivalent to a 2-shift system.
• Continuous project due diligence and reporting to the client. We operated a cycle of plan, interrogate, evaluate, recommend, report, repeat. We monitored and managed all activities on behalf of the client, kept the client informed of progress in detail and provided them with opinions and recommendations enabling them to make informed decisions.
• Data storage and exchange was managed through our secure, cloud-based network in accordance with the clients cyber-security requirements.

Benefits to the client

The client was able to maintain a working presence aligned to international partners time-zones utilising expert, experienced resource. They achieved this without having to recruit or invest in an overseas office. They increased capability and they were able to save significant cost.

Having dedicated support through their own working day and access to detailed fact-based reports with opinions and recommendations enabled the client to operate more efficiently and for their team to be far more productive.

Overall, the client saved money, accelerated the programme, became more productive and improved their chances of winning new business quickly.