project management

Benefits Realisation: Is the Procurement Act delivering for SMEs and the Public Sector?

Leadership, Project Management Tips

he Procurement Act 2023 came into law on 24 February 2025, promising:

“a simpler and more flexible, commercial system that better meets our country’s needs”

To “open up public procurement to new entrants such as small businesses and social enterprises so that they can compete for and win more public contracts”

“embed transparency throughout the commercial lifecycle so that the spending of taxpayers’ money can be properly scrutinised.”

In this blog we take the pulse of The Procurement Act and ask if the benefits promised are being delivered.

Benefits Realisation: Is the Procurement Act delivering for SMEs and the Public Sector? Read More »

Red keyboard

Mind Your Own Business: How Commercial Impact Is The New IT Project Super-Metric

Leadership, Project Management Tips

Over three quarters (77%) of project professionals say business acumen improves strategic decision making, yet less than a fifth (18%) are highly proficient in it.

That gap is costing organisations more than they realise. Especially in I.T. projects, where the line between delivery and business value is thinner than ever.

Mind Your Own Business: How Commercial Impact Is The New IT Project Super-Metric Read More »

A laptop that says Risk Management

How to make risk management pay: The ROI of Business Analysts and PMOs

Programme Management, Project Management Tips

Risk management in IT projects has often been considered a defensive discipline, intended to catch issues before they “snowball” into full blown disaster!

Given the current economic climate, where businesses are measuring the ROI on everything, at Stoneseed we’ve applied a growth mindset to risk management and identified that, with proactive risk management, you can unlock real, measurable financial value.

How to make risk management pay: The ROI of Business Analysts and PMOs Read More »

A pair of hands holding a clipboard and another pair with his fingers interlocked

Why Stoneseed is Rated as an Outstanding Place to Work

Careers, Insights, Programme Management, Project Management Tips

When it comes to finding the perfect workplace, independent employee reviews tell the real story. According to anonymous reviews on Glassdoor – a platform where companies cannot alter or remove employee feedback – Stoneseed’s story is overwhelmingly positive, with an exceptional 4.8 out of 5 stars rating and an impressive 94% of employees recommending the company to friends.

These unfiltered insights from real employees provide an authentic view of what it’s truly like to work at Stoneseed.

Why Stoneseed is Rated as an Outstanding Place to Work Read More »

Game controller

Avoiding “GAME OVER”! Delaying Delivery to Protect and Perfect Your Project Outcomes

Programme Management, Project Management Tips

Completing an IT project and releasing it into service is always an extremely exciting and satisfying moment and delivering it within a pre-determined timeframe and budget certainly ramps up the joy … but also the pressure!

When your confidence in going live is shaken by bugs or issues, and your stakeholders are breathing down your neck, what do you do?

When PM friend Fiona found herself in this exact position recently, she gained a valuable insight, not from an experienced colleague, or a trusted IT Advisory partner. Fiona’s mentor was her teenage son!

Avoiding “GAME OVER”! Delaying Delivery to Protect and Perfect Your Project Outcomes Read More »

tracking progress

How to Track Progress Without Micromanaging

Project Management Tips

The world of project management is a dynamic one. Therefore, being able to monitor progress effectively is paramount. This ensures that projects remain on track, within budget, and ultimately deliver the required outcome. Frameworks such as those underpinning the APMG Project Planning, Scheduling, Monitoring and Control qualification, and other training courses for PMs, show just

How to Track Progress Without Micromanaging Read More »

Person reading an ebook on phone

8 is the magic number

Insights, Leadership, Programme Management

Straight Talk on Project Management is Stoneseed’s eBook, your go-to resource for practical, no-nonsense project and programme management anecdotes and advice!

It’s perfect summer holiday reading!!

At Stoneseed, we write at least 48 blogs a year covering everything from agile transformations to stakeholder engagement, always with our trademark passion and a light-hearted touch that gives you a fresh perspective on project management. The hope is that they’re never too technical, sales-pitchy or high-brow – we’ll save that for when we work together on your project!

8 is the magic number Read More »

Cartoon of people sitting around a desk with robots

GPT vs KPIs! AIs vs PMs!! OMG!! When Artificial Intelligence meets project reality

Insights, Leadership, Programme Management

AI continues to shape conversations across IT project management, increasingly augmenting and assisting project delivery.

PMs and BAs etc who have successfully integrated AI into their work now tell me it feels less like a tool and more like a colleague!
Interesting!

The other day I read a very funny article which defined the “human personalities” of various AI engines – as if the AI’s were real people.

This got us thinking: could the way these AIs handle information “mirror” how our Business Analysts, Project Managers, PMO analysts, and Change Managers tackle their roles? Also, what could we learn by mapping these AI traits to the roles that drive successful projects at Stoneseed?

GPT vs KPIs! AIs vs PMs!! OMG!! When Artificial Intelligence meets project reality Read More »

A rollercoaster

Roller coaster delivery: Managing IT projects with theme park energy

Insights, Leadership, Programme Management

IT Project Management can be a bit like a theme park of rollercoaster rides – thrilling at first, but quickly full of twists, sudden drops, unexpected loops, and that one terrifying moment when you realise the track ahead looks … er … unfinished.

One minute you’re cruising through planning, and the next you’re free-falling through shifting priorities, budget changes, or surprise stakeholder input. That’s why you need someone riding beside you—steady, experienced, and holding your hand.

Roller coaster delivery: Managing IT projects with theme park energy Read More »