How We Manage Projects

STS Research Group projects are tailored specifically to the unique requirements of our client products, services, and customer market segments.

During project execution, we are aware our client must quickly and easily understand the developing research data so that business options can be framed, filtered, and scored.

Our project management approach reflects the value our clients expect us to deliver. They expect us to help them substantially accelerate and improve their ability to make informed, fact-based, accurate, supportable, explainable, and presentable recommendations and decisions.

We have done our job if we build the right foundation of research data, analyze, organize, and present so it is actionable for our client. Our client must be able to understand it, and challenge it until convinced it is sound, and directly useable for their internal business planning.

Successfully Starting and Finishing Projects

From the very start, we work closely with our client as the research and analysis unfolds, recommending approaches, models, and calculation filters as we proceed, so we have a shared view of the building-block assumptions as we move to completion. STS does the work, but our clients are involved, and know where we are at any point in time.

Three key elements help insure successful delivery and maximum value for our client:

1. The Final Report Vision
2. The Project Milestones
3. Description of STS and Client Project Team Roles

1. Final Report Vision

At the beginning of any project, a preliminary final report "shell" is developed which shows what the final presentation will look like. This covers the objectives, assumptions, flow, format, content, research sources, methodology, and level of detail which will be delivered.

This allows both STS Research Group and our client to have a mutual "shared" vision of what will be presented 6-8 weeks downstream, starting the way we want to finish.

Each project is different, key measures, research methodology and research sources vary, and calculations are always unique to the project deliverables.

This shows a typical, final report outline. At the kick-off meeting we include a number of example slides showing intended levels of detail that will be delivered in the final presentation:

• Background
• Objectives
• Methodology
• Research Sources
• Key Measures-Calculations
• Major Findings
• Key Conclusions
• Possible Actions
• Recommendations

2. Project Milestones

Specific milestone dates are established at the beginning of the project. These are set at the 25%, 50%, 75%, and Final Presentation delivery points. As the information, analysis, and the market picture crystallizes, these check-in points also allow for redirection and refinement to insure the relevance and value of the final deliverable.

STS Research Group remains flexible in this process, due to the steep learning curve which takes place throughout every project we complete. If it's clear a reasonable addition to the original scope is required, we add it in.

Milestones-Project Timetable-Example

#	Milestone	Expectation STS Commitment	Timing-Week Of:
1	Project approval and start-kickoff meeting	Review scope of work, key deliverables, final report format Identify key info areas with long lead times, roles of STS and Client personnel on depth chart	Week 1
2	Draft #1 interim review with Client (25% level)	Review, make changes	Week 3
3	Draft #2 interim review with Client (50% level)	Review, make changes	Week 4
4	Draft #3 interim review of final draft (75% level)	Review, make changes	Week 6
5	Final report, presentation to Client (100% level	Rehearsal, roles, graphics/slides	Week 8
6	Debrief		Week 8

3. STS Project Team and Client Personnel Roles

Although STS Research Group is hired to execute a scope of work, certain client personnel are also directly involved in the development and discovery process. Our client will need to “plug” our research and analysis into their own internal planning and review process.

A visualization of the responsibility and involvement of both STS project team and client personnel is defined in a matrix. Some roles overlap into others, and new personnel may become involved as appropriate.

Depth Chart-Example

Responsibility and Involvement	STS Project Manager	STS Research Leader	STS Senior Researcher	Client Project Champion	Client Project Manager	Client Project Driver	Client Sales Project Supporter
Concieve, Approve Project				X
Direct Poject - STS POC'S						X
Manager and Control Project Deliverables	X
Assemble Research Material		X	X
Analyze Research Material	X	X	X
Provide Internal Client Data					X	X	X
Participate in Reviews	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Presentation	X	X	X	X	X	X	X

Testimonials

Recent letters received from various clients have helped us to appreciate the value our project management approach delivers: