Problem
The project was complex and required a bespoke approach to meet the distinctive needs and expertise of all partners. The project team had to coordinate with various stakeholders to ensure successful project delivery despite external challenges.
Methodology
The Yellow Company adopted a customised project management approach that fulfilled the specific requirements of the RDRP project. The project team implemented a centralised coordination function for all regional teams and a Communications and Engagement Plan to enable effective stakeholder management planning.
Results
Despite the external challenges, the RDRP project successfully delivered five RDR plans by the set deadline. Over 350 engagement activities were carried out, involving almost 200 unique stakeholders across all pilot regions. Effective stakeholder management strategies ensured buy-in from regional entities such as Regional Organisations of Councils (ROCs), partnerships of individual councils, and Regional Development Australia (RDA) committees.
Analysis
The Yellow Company’s project management approach brought rigour, discipline, and timeliness to the coordination and project reporting that ensured the RDRP project’s success. Stakeholders were informed of any schedule changes and were actively involved in decision-making.
Conclusion
The success of the RDRP project has enabled The Yellow Company to continue providing project management support to the remaining nine regions. The project’s success has been recognised by various bodies, including the Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM), which declared the project as the 2022 recipient of the Queensland Project of the Year award, Queensland Government Projects category award and the National Winner accolade for the Government Projects category at the 2022 AIPM National Project Management Achievement Awards.
An independent auditor assessed the program, including evaluating Yellow’s involvement, finding “the project management was viewed as effective – bringing rigour, discipline, and timeliness to the coordination and project reporting.” Specifically, the “Yellow Company was thought to be excellent…”.
Overall, the success of the RDRP project highlights the importance of effective project management strategies, stakeholder engagement, and adaptability in achieving project objectives. The Yellow Company’s project management expertise enabled the delivery of this program and contributed to achieving a much-needed level of regional drought resilience in Queensland.
