Project Governance and Improvement Leadership

Manufacturing project governance isn't just about overseeing delivery—it’s about ensuring every project delivers real, measurable value. One of the most powerful ways to achieve this is by capturing lessons learned and applying them to future projects. Yet, this opportunity is often missed due to weaknesses in the project management process.

A recent industry survey found that while 90% of projects were considered “somewhat successful,” only 22% fully met their goals for return on investment, or delivered on time and within budget. These shortcomings weren’t due to technical failures—they stemmed from people issues. And that’s a characteristic of weak Project Governance.

1.0 Project Governance Best Practice

Project Governance best practice covers three project success drivers set out below. If you want to undestand more about how these capabilities impact on your project success, Complete the online assessment here and we will send you a report setting out current status and a suggested action plan to deal with gaps and barriers to progress.

1.1 Project Management Process

Formalising the following workflows dramatically increases the chances of flawless execution from day one of operations:

a. Design and Performance Management

Focuses on setting clear design goals to guide decisions at every step—scope, specifications, vendor selection, manufacturing, installation, commissioning, and transition to operations.

b. Project and Risk Management

Combines rigorous administration and collaborative leadership to:

• Coordinate stakeholders

• Foster cross-functional alignment

• Build strong team capabilities to manage evolving demands
  This often includes piloting and rapid scale-up techniques.

c. Specification and Life Cycle Cost Management

Ensures design goals translate into sustainable operations. This relies on internal ownership of processes and team training to reduce downtime and eliminate quality defects from the start.

1.2. Project Team Development

Successful manufacturing projects depend on getting the right people involved at the right project step —and preparing users to take ownership of project deliverables. That benefits from coaching support to be able to:

• Align stakeholder priorities.

• Develop superior specifications.

• Make sound decisions throughout the project lifecycle to manage risk and enhance project value.

• Deliver flawless operation from day one.

Without a formal project management process for each project step, you risk underperforming assets, higher operational costs, and reactive firefighting when things don’t work as anticipated.

Sponsors who combine this with structured project team coaching, avoid these pitfalls—and gain a competitive edge.

For complex or capital-intensive projects that can include Early Equipment Management (EEM). A proven framework to drive the glide path to flawless operation and low life cycle costs, this provides the structured governance to:

• Identify and address risks early.

• Promote cross-functional collaboration.

• Enhance project added value.

• Maximise Return on Investment.

1.3. Capturing and Applying Lessons Learned

The ability to learn from each project—and apply those lessons to the next—is what separates average performers from leaders in manufacturing. High-performing organisations build this into their DNA by:

1. Defining project improvement goals from the start

2. Using structured stage gates to capture and apply lessons

3. Leveraging life cycle cost insights to drive added value

The outcome is the systematic development of capabilities to deliver faster, better projects on time within budget.

2.0 Making it Happen

If you're serious about driving performance across your project portfolio, here's how to embed project team training into your governance programme:

1. Assess your current project governance model to uncover gaps and select a pilot project for testing improvements. Use our online self assessment tool to identify areas of strengths and weakness. Fill out the assessment here and we will send you a short benchmarking report and suggested next steps. Complete our online self assessment diagnostic here and we will send you a report setting out current status and a suggested action plan to deal with gaps and barriers to progress,

2. Launch a “plan-the-plan” workshop with project team members to define project quality milestones and actions to progress to the next project milestone.

3. Use stage gates to capture lessons and adjust plans proactively.

4. Codify insights into repeatable standards for future projects.

5. Define project skill learning plans to develop project team member capabilities over multiple projects. Capture demonstrated capabilities using a project management skills passport.

6. Make project management skill development a requirement for each project—no exceptions.

7. Reward application of learning using defined learning plans and formal development milestones based on demonstrated capabilities.

For manufacturing organisations, project team coaching isn’t a cost—it’s a strategic enabler. Coaching as part of the project programme empowers project teams to deliver value from day one, reduce risk, and accelerate continuous improvement.

The result? Projects that hit targets, maximise ROI, and ensure your investments perform at their full potential.

3.0 Next steps?

You’re not alone on this journey. Complete the online assessment here and we will send you a report setting out current status and a suggested action plan to deal with gaps and barriers to progress. Altheratively let’s connect and explore how we can partner with you to unlock the full potential of your operations.