Over its ten year history SBS has coordinated programs ranging from developing new products (NPD) and businesses, to implementing services for major clients, to integrating multiple sales departments to coordinating otherwise-unrelated-partner companies for a common goal. Often this is done across borders.  Even though each project is unique and requires original thought, commonalities do exist and form the basis for some quite successful models we have developed.  All our projects have some traits in common:

Decision Maker:  Each project needs a single decision maker. Although this person does not have to be involved on a day-to-day basis, the decision maker must be informed on a regular basis of the status of the project and issues arising which require his/her direction, influence or decision.

Empowered management: General Managers, by definition, have responsibilities spanning many business functions. They almost never have time to take on coordination of a major project. Yet major projects require a GM-like cross-functional span of vision and leadership. Although a promising functional leader may take on project ownership, he/she too cannot devote the time or exert the authority to manage and command the necessary resources. An empowered, GM-experienced senior Program Manager, reporting to the GM and with the freedom to focus on this project is an obvious solution to the common problems of program management and control.

Steering Committee:  The results of a project must fit into the organization and be owned by its key players. SBS has models to ensure the results are compatible with the receiving organization--and that the relevant department leaders are prepared for its arrival. These key players should be included on the Program Steering Committee.

Communication:  Pre-consulting with key players and contributors across functions and across borders is a basic ingredient to a successful project. Simple, clear and timely communication is essential to managing the dynamics of a project/program--and to minimizing panic. SBS has some communication models which have worked well in the past.