When a global retail technology leader finds itself on the cusp of multi-billion-dollar growth, the spotlight often falls on innovative products or groundbreaking technologies. But for one of our clients, the key to unlocking unprecedented expansion lay in a less glamorous but equally critical area: their Project Management Office (PMO). This market leader recognized that to capitalize on burgeoning opportunities, particularly with a key customer account poised for significant growth, they needed to transform their PMO into a catalyst for scalable success.
Powering Billion-Dollar Growth in Retail Tech
The challenge
Scaling Project Management to Keep Pace with Explosive Growth
Like many growing technology companies, the client faced the challenge of scaling their project management practices to match their business trajectory. Their existing PMO processes, while functional, weren’t designed to support the level of growth they anticipated. They needed to both improve immediate project delivery and build a foundation for long-term success.
“When organizations take the time to build a consistent delivery framework, speed becomes a byproduct. That’s what allows teams to scale without sacrificing quality or trust.”
— Sara Gallagher, President, The Persimmon Group
“When organizations take the time to build a consistent delivery framework, speed becomes a byproduct. That’s what allows teams to scale without sacrificing quality or trust.”
— Sara Gallagher, President, The Persimmon Group
Our Approach
Standardizing Processes While Staying Agile
The client needed more than a short-term fix. They required:
- A seasoned Program Manager to lead delivery for their new high-stakes customer account.
- A framework to standardize the execution of large, complex projects across the enterprise.
They turned to Persimmon to deliver both.
We partnered with the client to build lasting PMO capability while driving immediate execution success. Our approach centered on three key actions:
1. Playbook Creation
We designed a repeatable customer playbook for managing large-scale projects. This included stakeholder mapping, program health tracking metrics, and release planning frameworks. The goal: provide enough structure to bring clarity and alignment across very large teams—without sacrificing agility and speed.
2. Capability Building
Our consultant worked side-by-side with the company’s project managers, providing mentoring in financial forecasting, resource planning, and project setup. This hands-on approach ensured the playbook wasn’t just a set of templates but a living framework supported by stronger skills and confidence.
3. Dual-Track Execution
By simultaneously leading the key customer program and shaping enterprise-wide practices, our consultant ensured improvements were tested and refined in real time on the client’s most important account.
results & impact
Stronger Delivery, Smarter Planning, and a Competitive Edge
Reduced project setup time by half
Strengthened financial forecasting processes
Improved resource planning accuracy
The engagement delivered both immediate relief and durable capability—addressing today’s delivery pressures while strengthening the organization’s ability to scale with confidence.
By introducing a standardized PMO playbook and consistent delivery framework, the organization cut project setup time in half while improving quality and consistency across complex customer programs. Teams no longer relied on individual heroics to get started; instead, they had a repeatable, proven approach that brought clarity from day one.
At the same time, strengthened financial forecasting and resource planning capabilities gave leaders clearer visibility into tradeoffs, risks, and capacity needs. Decisions that once required weeks of reconciliation and debate could now be made with confidence, grounded in reliable data and shared assumptions.
Together, these improvements significantly enhanced the organization’s ability to manage high-stakes customer relationships and deliver predictably at scale. What began as support for a critical account became a broader shift in how work was planned, staffed, and executed, positioning the PMO as a true enabler of growth rather than a reactive support function.
Industry research shows that organizations with standardized delivery frameworks complete projects up to 28% faster—an advantage this PMO now delivers consistently across high-stakes customer programs.
Providing Value!
It seems like I can’t stop hearing about the work you’re doing on this account. You’re providing relief, bringing value, and providing the structure our client account has asked for.
– PMO Leader, Retail Technology Client
Why It Matters
A PMO Built for the Future
Persimmon brings a unique perspective to PMO transformation. Our consultants combine deep project management expertise with practical experience scaling organizational capabilities. We understand that effective PMOs need more than just processes—they need approaches that can flex and grow with the business.
Our community of practice model means each consultant brings not just their own expertise but the collective wisdom of our entire team. This allows us to identify emerging best practices, solve complex challenges creatively, and ensure our solutions are both innovative and practical. Whether clients face immediate delivery challenges or prepare for significant growth, we help build PMO capabilities that deliver lasting value.
Need a PMO that fuels growth?
We can help.
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