A practical framework to help small and medium-sized businesses deliver faster, smarter, and more efficiently.
Traditional project management can feel like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). Overly rigid and bureaucratic, methodologies like PRINCE2 or PMBOK can stifle the very agility that makes SMEs thrive. But what if there was a way to enhance project delivery without adding complexity?
The answer lies in the Lean Project Delivery System (LPDS). This streamlined, flexible framework applies core Lean principles across the entire project lifecycle, empowering SMEs to boost value, slash waste, and maintain their competitive edge.
Why LPDS for SMEs?
SMEs are built on adaptability and innovation, boasting flatter hierarchies and close customer relationships. Yet, they often struggle with a lack of formal project management structures and limited resources, which can result in inconsistent project execution, delays, and overspending. The LPDS directly addresses these pain points by focusing on smarter work – prioritising value, eliminating waste, and building repeatable yet adaptable processes.
Mapping Lean Principles to Project Phases:
The LPDS seamlessly integrates Womack and Jones’s five Lean principles with the five conventional project delivery phases:
- Initiation: Define Value. Forget internal deliverables. Focus on what truly constitutes value for the customer and business outcomes. Use concise business cases to prevent scope creep.
- Planning: Map the Value Stream. Create a clear roadmap, identifying the most direct path to value delivery. Visual tools like Kanban boards highlight critical tasks and bottlenecks, fostering collaboration.
- Execution: Create Flow. Organise work to move smoothly and continuously. This means cross-functional teams, minimal handovers, and time-boxed work periods, echoing Agile’s efficiency.
- Monitoring & Control: Enable Pull. Ditch rigid control for adaptive, real-time feedback. Work is “pulled” as capacity becomes available, reducing overcommitment and improving responsiveness.
- Closing: Strive for Perfection. Embrace continuous learning. Concise retrospectives capture lessons learned, feeding improvements back into the system for ongoing growth.
The Tangible Benefits:
Embracing LPDS offers significant advantages for SMEs:
- Simplicity & Flexibility: No unnecessary complexity; easily adapts to various project sizes.
- Alignment with Business Goals: Projects directly contribute to strategic outcomes by prioritising customer-defined value.
- Improved Communication: Enhanced stakeholder engagement and internal coordination through visual tools.
- Faster Delivery: Lean execution practices lead to timely delivery of high-quality results.
- Scalable Growth: Supports organisational maturity and evolves as your business expands.
Making LPDS Work for You:
Successful LPDS implementation goes beyond just tools; it demands cultural readiness and strong leadership support. Start with small pilot projects, train your teams, and select intuitive tools. Regular reflection and adaptation are key, but crucially, senior leadership must champion Lean thinking for widespread adoption. Transparency, trust, and a focus on outcomes are the cornerstones of success.
A Strategic Enabler:
For SMEs looking to maximise their competitive advantage through effective project delivery, LPDS offers a clear path forward. If you’d like to find out more, download my whitepaper below and discover how Lean principles can transform your next project.
