Project Management

The Department of National Defence called in Business Improvement Architects to conduct a mid-term audit on a highly complex project with multiple stakeholders.

“Michael Stanleigh of Business Improvement Architects did an incredible job of assessing all aspects of the project and compiling a detailed assessment of what was working and what was not working.  The most valuable information and guidance of this report was not only the identification of all major problem areas, but the substantive recommendations Mr. Stanleigh recommended on how to correct them.  This report was invaluable to improving the overall probability of success for a highly complex project.”

Lieutenant Commander, Project Manager, Victoria EDWP, National Defence Canada

Facilitating leadership development through assessment, coaching, consulting and training, the Business Improvement Architect’s (bia™) team worked with senior executive, mangers and staff to help them build leadership competencies. bia™ stayed with them throughout the process helping them to develop and implement their key strategies and implementation plan.

“Business Improvement Architects has been instrumental in helping us develop our leadership team. Through the implementation of their recommended processes and continuous guidance throughout, they have helped us build a team of successful leaders and together we have increased customer service, employee satisfaction metrics have increased and projects are implemented more efficiently. I recommend bia™ for their strategic perspective, on-going support and practical measurement tools.”

Director, Commercial and Compliance Systems, Scotiabank

Three separate art facilities in a large city received a mandate from the local government to combine operations in order to better service general public needs and save costs. bia™ was asked to help the management and staff to unify the operation and help the team to overcome their challenges in bringing the exhibits together in one place. As well, staff did not function well as a unified team, rather, they continued to operate as three separate units within one building. bia™ used an “Innovation Process” and “Project Management” to create breakthrough performance for the staff and the organization. The outcome has been highly successful, with most of the innovations having been translated into projects.

“We are impressed at how Business Improvement Architects has very quickly and effectively managed to get us working co-operatively as a team. We highly recommend them to others.”

Chief Executive Officer, The Rooms

This manufacturer of computer driver heads in China was looking for a competitive edge to gain revenue and recognized that project management could help them save time and money and improve the level of quality and customer satisfaction. bia™ was called in by the CEO to implement a training program for different levels in the organization in project management. This ensured that the management team, their direct reports and project managers had the shared knowledge to implement a project driven strategy. The strategy has proved highly effective for the organization, leading to acquisition of new multi-million dollar sales contracts.

“Business Improvement Architects has given us much help and guidance in our project management learning. All members of the LAFE team have a keen admiration for bia™.”

CEO, Lafe Management Services Limited

Business Improvement Architects (bia™) was brought in to train IT staff in the art and science of project management. Through the process, bia™ has been able to help RIM to reign in and refocus several high profile projects to help them move forward successfully. The result of the skilled knowledge-transfer from bia™ has positioned the IT department to be nearly self-sufficient in project management. Now other areas of RIM are demonstrating interest in working with bia™ to bring project management to other areas.

“Our relationship with Business Improvement Architects has been a wholly positive relationship and an experience which we unreservedly recommend to others.”

Director of IT, Blackberry, Formerly Research In Motion

Business Improvement Architects worked with this organization of 1200 employees to help create a Project/Process Management Office and implement lessons-learned from a previously failed try.  The result has been positive due to our implementation-based consulting process and because we ensured that a solid foundation for change was in place before the implementation was done.

“Business Improvement Architects was instrumental in helping us turn around a project that was in crisis and bring it back in control with their expert processes and measurement tools.  They were able to effectively identify the root causes of our problem and then continued to work with us to implement the solution and provide tools to manage on a forward-going basis.”

CEO, Baxter Corporation

Brookfield Properties asked Business Improvement Architects to help them implement a Project Management approach that would assist in the execution of their strategic plan. bia™ trained all project managers and project team members as well as those who were responsible for the new strategy.

“Business Improvement Architects successfully helped us apply a sound Project Management process that was effective in helping us execute our strategic plan. We are happy to recommend them to others.”

Executive VP Operations, Brookfield Properties

Business Improvement Architects was asked to develop a customized, standard protocol and methodology that could be used for all of their projects. bia™ was highly successful because we recognized that all levels within the organization could benefit from application of a consistent methodology and our protocol addressed this opportunity.

“Business Improvement Architects drove the process to develop a standard protocol and methodology for all levels of the organization to apply consistently and developed a customized GWL Project Management Approach.”

Director of IT, Great West Life Realty

Recognizing the importance of project management in ensuring the success of quality initiatives, ASQ asked bia™ to facilitate all Project Management training sessions as part of their on-going public and in-house programming. ASQ has continued to use Business Improvement Architects over the past 10 years for Project Management Training as well as training in Process Improvement, Strategic Quality Planning and Creating Visions and Strategies for Government Services. More recently, bia™ has developed webinars and virtual training courses for ASQ.

“bia™ is an organization that continually meets our high quality standards. They consistently rate highly in their delivery, class management, use of applicable and practical examples of concepts to the theory and ideas they are presenting and their knowledge of and experience with the subject matter they are teaching.”

Program Designer, ASQ Learning Offerings, American Society for Quality

“I literally walked into the class on day 1 with NO project management knowledge. The presentation, exercises and reference sheets have provided me with the confidence and tools needed to be a successful project manager. The most significant thing I learned was how to efficiently manage my time within projects (both small and large).”

Course participant, ASQ Conference

Business Improvement Architects has been on faculty with the Gardener Centre of Memorial University since 2003 and continues to work with them to provide open-enrollment programs.

“Michael Stanleigh of Business Improvement Architects has been a contract trainer for the Gardiner Centre, (Previously Centre for Management Development) of Memorial University in both open-enrollment programs with diverse clients and for client-customized programs around specific client needs.  We have used Michael and his associates on many occasions, and continue to contract with them because of their professionalism, the invariably high participant evaluations and most importantly because of repeat request from our clients for their services.  Michael’s evaluations have consistently been among our highest.”

Director, The Gardiner Centre, Memorial University

Business Improvement Architects has worked with retailer Hudson Bay Company for many years in the areas of Critical Thinking, Impact and Influence, Process Management and Project Management.

“We have worked with Business Improvement Architects on previous occasions and they have always exceeded our expectations. They have demonstrated excellent responsiveness and management of expectations (always got back to you with an answer). It has been a pleasure to work with bia™ overall”

Director, PMO, Hudson Bay Company (HBC)

Business Improvement Architects facilitated project leadership and project management workshops for the Schulich Executive Education Centre, Schulich School of Business for almost 10 years. This has included sessions for the Masters Certificate in Project Management, Advanced Certificate in Project Management and the Executive Program.

“Business Improvement Architects…always exceeds our expectations and is a pleasure to work with. They are accommodating to changes and flexible in their ability to adapt their materials to our specific needs.”

Managing Director, Schulich School of Business, York University