Achieve Together Case Study.

>> Executive Summary

Achieve Together engaged PL Projects to support the delivery of a major, multi-year digital transformation programme at a pivotal point in its organisational growth. With no established Project Management Office (PMO) or centralised delivery framework in place, the organisation required immediate structure, governance and specialist delivery capability to successfully modernise its core systems and digital tools.

PL Projects provided a blended team of experienced consultants to design and implement a fit-for-purpose PMO from the ground up, introduce consistent project controls, and support the delivery of multiple concurrent transformation initiatives. This included establishing robust governance and reporting, implementing an accessible project and portfolio management (PPM) tool, and embedding industry-standard planning practices using Microsoft Project.

Alongside delivery, PL Projects worked closely with Achieve Together’s internal teams to build sustainable capability through mentoring, hands-on support and targeted training. As a result, Achieve Together gained increased visibility and control across its digital transformation portfolio, strengthened its internal project management maturity, and successfully delivered several critical digital solutions that improved operational efficiency and staff experience. The engagement positioned Achieve Together with a scalable, sustainable framework to support ongoing change and future growth.

The client.

Achieve Together is one of the UK’s leading specialist support providers, dedicated to empowering adults and young people with a wide range of complex support needs, including learning disabilities, autism, mental health challenges, acquired brain injuries and additional needs such as deafness and hearing loss. Since its founding in 1996, the organisation has grown significantly, now operating over 420 homes and services across England and Wales and supporting more than 2,300 people to build confidence, develop life skills and live happy, healthy, meaningful lives. Achieve Together’s work spans supported living, residential care, outreach and community services, all delivered with a person-centred approach that places the aspirations, wellbeing and individuality of the people it supports at the heart of everything it does.

The challenge.

At the outset of the engagement, Achieve Together was in the early stages of launching a major, multi-year digital transformation programme aimed at modernising core business systems and improving the tools and processes that supported its teams. The programme encompassed multiple concurrent projects, ranging from the replacement and enhancement of legacy platforms to the procurement and implementation of new digital solutions where they would

deliver the greatest operational and strategic benefit. Recognising the scale and complexity of the initiative, Achieve Together engaged PL Projects and their team of consultants to provide structure, oversight and delivery expertise to support the successful execution of the programme.

When PL Projects arrived at Achieve Together, there was no established Project Management Office (PMO) or centralised delivery framework in place. One of the first challenges was therefore to tailor make this capability from the ground up. The PL Projects team worked with key stakeholders to define the PMO structure, agree guiding principles and introduce consistent project management processes that could be applied across the portfolio. In parallel, they supported the selection and implementation of a suitable project and portfolio management (PPM) tool to provide improved visibility of progress, risks, dependencies and resource demand. A further critical requirement was to establish a clear and effective governance cadence, enabling structured reporting and regular engagement with sponsors and the executive team, ensuring informed decision-making and greater confidence in the delivery of the transformation programme.

The solution.

PL Projects provided a blended team of consultants to support both the delivery of the transformation projects and the establishment of longer-term project management capability within Achieve Together. Alongside managing projects directly, the team worked closely with in-house Project Managers, acting as mentors and sharing practical best-practice guidance to help embed consistent ways of working. Roles within the PL Projects team were deliberately split across planning, project management and PMO, ensuring that delivery, control and governance were all given appropriate focus.

• Project & Portfolio management Tool Implementation

A key part of the solution was the introduction and setup of a suitable project and portfolio management (PPM) tool. Our consultants took ownership of the configuration and administration of a PPM tool “Kivue”. This tool was selected as a low-cost, easy to use solution that met Achieve Together’s immediate needs. This solution was used to capture and manage portfolio-level data, while also supporting low level planning

activity and enabling information from individual projects to be rolled up into a clear, consolidated programme plan. This provided improved visibility of progress, transparency across stakeholders, improved dependency tracking, and identification/management of risks across the transformation programme.

• Integrated Project Planning & Reporting

At project level, Microsoft Project was used as the primary specialist planning tool.

1. Through collaborative Planning workshops our consultants created details Project level Microsoft project plans, adhering to the industry standard planning framework.
2. These plans were reviewed and supported through regular weekly update sessions, helping to keep delivery on track, identify Risks early before they materialise into issues. Key milestones were extracted into a programme-level view, allowing changes to baseline dates to be monitored and highlighting any milestones that were at risk.

• Establishment of PMO Governance & Framework

Our consultants also worked closely with the Programme Director and Head of PMO to establish the overarching PMO principles, processes and governance. As this was a newly formed PMO, there was flexibility to test, refine and adapt the structure over time, ensuring that it evolved in line with Achieve Together’s needs and ultimately supported the organisation in delivering change more effectively.

• Specialist Project Management Training (PFA & Planning)

At PL Projects we have a dedicated training team to support our clients in the adoption of Project Management principles, Risk Management and Planning disciplines. During out time at Achieve together we provided Training for multiple project & programme managers on the APM Accredited Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ), as well as provided bespoke Microsoft Project Planning training. For more information on bespoke project management courses please get in touch.

The outcome.

Both the overarching project management framework & procurement framework our consultants implemented were well delivered and fully adopted by Achieve Together helping them drive successful delivery of their internal initiatives.

Additionally, the Kivue software we implemented was successfully adopted by our client and within that there was an ‘intake’ board where collagues could add ideas which were then reviewed and measured against certain criteria to see if the concept could or should be carried forward.

The digital transformation programme progressed well and there were several key projects that went live successfully while utilising the new framework we implemented:

• A robust and centralised Risk Assessment and Management system + application
• User friendly internal applications for staff to view shifts, log working hours & annual leave

Conclusion:

PL Projects’ engagement with Achieve Together demonstrates the value of combining structured delivery expertise with a strong focus on capability building and collaboration. By designing and embedding a tailored PMO, implementing effective project and portfolio management tools, and introducing consistent planning and governance disciplines, PL Projects enabled Achieve Together to take control of a complex, multi-year transformation programme.

The successful adoption of the PMO framework and Kivue PPM tool provided greater assurance, transparency and confidence in decision-making at both project and executive level. Importantly, the programme did not rely solely on external support; through mentoring and accredited training, Achieve Together’s internal teams were empowered with the skills and knowledge needed to sustain high-quality delivery long after the engagement concluded.

With key digital initiatives delivered successfully and a robust foundation now in place, Achieve Together is well equipped to continue its transformation journey. The organisation is better positioned to respond to change, prioritise investment effectively, and ultimately enhance the quality of care and support it provides to the people who rely on its services every day.

Why PL Projects: A Trusted Partner in Delivering Digital Transformation and Building Sustainable Delivery Capability

PL Projects is a trusted partner for organisations undergoing complex change, providing the structure, governance and delivery capability required to execute transformation programmes successfully. Our work with Achieve Together demonstrates our ability to rapidly establish control, embed best-practice project management, and build long-term internal capability within a large, multi-site organisation operating in a highly regulated and people-centred environment.

Rapid Establishment of PMO and Delivery Frameworks

Achieve Together engaged PL Projects at a critical stage of its digital transformation, with multiple initiatives underway and no established Project Management Office or central delivery framework in place. PL Projects brought immediate structure and clarity by designing and implementing a fit-for-purpose PMO from the ground up.
Our consultants introduced consistent project controls, governance processes and reporting mechanisms that enabled Achieve Together to gain visibility, confidence and assurance across a complex, multi-year portfolio of digital initiatives.

Proven Expertise in Digital and Portfolio Delivery

PL Projects provided a blended team of experienced consultants spanning project management, planning and PMO disciplines. This ensured that delivery, control and governance were addressed in parallel rather than in isolation.
By combining hands-on project delivery with strong portfolio oversight, we enabled Achieve Together to manage multiple concurrent projects effectively, understand interdependencies, and make informed decisions at both programme and executive level.

Practical Tooling Aligned to Organisational Needs

A key differentiator in our approach was the selection and implementation of pragmatic, accessible tooling that met Achieve Together’s immediate and future needs. PL Projects led the configuration and adoption of the Kivue PPM platform, providing a single source of truth for portfolio data, risks, dependencies and progress.
At project level, we embedded industry-standard planning practices using Microsoft Project, ensuring robust, realistic plans that supported effective monitoring, control and reporting. This integrated approach strengthened assurance while remaining proportionate and user-friendly for internal teams.

Capability Building Through Mentoring and Accredited Training

PL Projects’ engagement extended beyond delivery to focus on long-term sustainability. Our consultants worked closely with Achieve Together’s internal Project Managers, providing mentoring, coaching and practical guidance to embed consistent ways of working.
We also delivered accredited APM Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ) training and bespoke Microsoft Project planning training, equipping teams with recognised skills and confidence to manage change independently. This ensured that capability remained within the organisation long after the engagement concluded.

Transparent Governance and Stakeholder Engagement

Throughout the programme, PL Projects maintained clear, structured and transparent communication with senior stakeholders. Regular reporting, governance forums and executive updates provided assurance, early risk visibility and confidence in decision-making.
This proactive approach enabled Achieve Together’s leadership to oversee delivery effectively while trusting PL Projects to manage the operational complexity of the transformation.

A Partner Focused on Impact, Sustainability and People

The success of this engagement reflects PL Projects’ commitment to delivering change that is not only technically successful but fully embedded within the organisation. By aligning delivery frameworks to Achieve Together’s values, culture and operational realities, we ensured that digital transformation directly supported improved efficiency, staff experience and ultimately better outcomes for the people Achieve Together supports.

PL Projects’ work with Achieve Together demonstrates our ability to combine delivery excellence with capability building, leaving organisations better equipped, more confident and ready to manage future change at scale.