Defence: P3M Delivers Programme Management Function

Certes IT p3M team were engaged to provide hands-on expertise in project, programme and portfolio management for data migration, metadata creation, tagging, archiving, and change support.

The Challenge

The programme had experienced a prolonged period of underperformance, resulting in reduced stakeholder confidence, inconsistent governance and delivery uncertainty.

Several factors contributed to the complexity:

  • Multiple international stakeholders with differing priorities and operational approaches.
  • Complex multi-supplier delivery environments.
  • Significant security requirements and clearance constraints.
  • Delivery teams operating across multiple time zones.
  • Extensive international engagement and coordination requirements.
  • A programme reputation affected by previous delivery difficulties, making it challenging to attract and retain permanent personnel.

In addition to recovering the programme, there was a strategic ambition to create a sustainable long-term operating model that would eventually transition responsibility to permanent in-house teams.

Certes' Approach

Certes established a dedicated Programme Management Function, rapidly mobilising experienced P3M professionals with extensive experience operating within complex, high-security environments.

The delivery team included specialists across several disciplines:

  • Programme Management
  • Programme Management Office (PMO)
  • Project and Delivery Management
  • Business Change Management
  • Communications Management
  • Architecture
  • Test Management
  • Information Management
  • Stakeholder and Engagement Management

All resources were selected based on their experience of operating at senior levels within highly regulated and secure programmes, ensuring immediate credibility with stakeholders and partner organisations.

A key element of the approach was embedding the team directly into the programme ecosystem. Certes professionals worked alongside technical teams, delivery partners and senior stakeholders across participating organisations to create a unified and collaborative delivery culture.

Recovering Programme Performance

The immediate focus was to stabilise the programme and rebuild confidence.

Certes introduced:

  • Robust programme governance frameworks.
  • Formal reporting and assurance mechanisms.
  • Improved stakeholder engagement processes.
  • Structured programme controls and delivery oversight.
  • Enhanced supplier and procurement management practices.

These measures provided greater transparency, accountability and alignment across all participating organisations.

As governance improved, stakeholder confidence returned, enabling stronger collaboration and renewed commitment from programme partners.

Managing International Delivery Complexity

Delivering a programme across multiple nations presented unique challenges.

Certes coordinated delivery activities across numerous organisations, suppliers and workstreams while managing differing delivery practices and operational requirements.

Core responsibilities included:

  • Portfolio Management
  • Programme Management
  • Project Management
  • Programme Governance
  • Project Administration
  • Supplier Management
  • Procurement Management
  • Communications and Change Management

The team also played a key role in international engagement activities, representing programme interests, facilitating collaboration and ensuring alignment between stakeholders across all participating organisations.

Delivering Critical Capabilities

Throughout its involvement, Certes delivered a broad range of P3M services spanning SFIA Levels 4–7 and supported the successful delivery of several critical secure technology capabilities.

Examples included:

  • Secure networking capabilities.
  • Secure email and web services.
  • Identity and directory management services.
  • Secure messaging and collaboration platforms.
  • Secure voice and video communications.
  • Testing and assurance capabilities.

These services enhanced the ability of participating organisations to collaborate securely, share information and support operational activities across geographically dispersed locations.

Creating a Sustainable Future

While programme recovery was a key objective, Certes also focused on creating a lasting capability within the client organisation.

Once programme stability had been achieved, Certes began a structured knowledge-transfer and capability-building programme. Permanent personnel were reintroduced into delivery teams and provided with exposure to senior stakeholders, governance processes and international collaboration activities.

This approach enabled the client to:

  • Develop internal capability.
  • Increase confidence in permanent teams.
  • Reduce reliance on external resources.
  • Establish long-term programme continuity.
  • Create a sustainable and scalable operating model.

The process was repeated across multiple workstreams, creating a mature and fully functioning Programme Management Function capable of operating effectively in a complex international environment.

Outcomes

Through its P3M expertise and embedded delivery approach, Certes successfully:

  • Recovered a strategically important international programme.
  • Established effective governance and programme controls.
  • Rebuilt stakeholder confidence and engagement.
  • Improved collaboration across multiple organisations and suppliers.
  • Enabled the delivery of critical secure technology capabilities.
  • Developed and transitioned knowledge to permanent teams.
  • Created a sustainable Programme Management Function for ongoing delivery.
  • Established a collaborative, operationally focused culture across a highly complex international stakeholder community.

Conclusion

This engagement demonstrates Certes’ ability to deliver high-quality Portfolio, Programme and Project Management services within some of the most complex and demanding environments. By combining experienced leadership, robust governance and a collaborative delivery model, Certes transformed a struggling programme into a stable, high-performing operation while creating an enduring capability that continues to support long-term strategic objectives.