In a rapidly evolving cosmetics industry, the IT department of a top Japanese cosmetics company faced a significant challenge: ensuring their projects, critical to maintaining a competitive edge, were completed on time and yielded the desired results. Our firm was approached to provide a custom-designed project manager training program to address their unique needs.
Addressing the Challenge
Upon initial assessment, we identified that the project managers needed to boost their skills in critical areas such as risk management, stakeholder communication, and agile methodologies. Our approach was twofold: custom training modules for comprehensive learning, followed by small group coaching for hands-on application.
Tailored Training Modules
We designed several customized training modules focusing on core project management areas. The curriculum was specifically designed for the cosmetics industry and the company’s unique cultural context. It emphasized practical knowledge and included real-life case studies from their business environment.
Small Group Coaching
Post-training, we instituted a small group coaching initiative, where our consultants provided guidance over the life-cycle of their ongoing projects. This process facilitated on-the-job learning, allowing the project managers to apply their newfound knowledge in real-time, thus driving home the lessons learned in the training sessions.
Overcoming the Troubles
Several projects that were previously troubled or at risk were the primary focus of our coaching sessions. Our consultants worked closely with the project teams, providing expert guidance and encouraging the use of best practices learned during the training modules. Through this collaborative effort, these projects were brought back on track, and many were completed on time.
The Results
The tailored training program had a significant positive impact:
- Improved Project Outcomes: Troubled and at-risk projects were turned around, resulting in timely completion and satisfying the intended users.
- Enhanced Skill Set: Project managers developed essential project management skills, leading to improved performance and efficiency.
- Cultural Shift: The coaching sessions helped instill a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the IT department.
We firmly believe in the transformative power of a customized training program. By understanding the unique needs of this company’s IT department, we designed a training program that not only improved individual project manager’s competencies but also elevated the entire team’s performance. The resulting successful project completions bear testimony to the effectiveness of the customized training and coaching methodology we applied.
