Clients & Case Studies

Case Study 3

Convergys improves project management to speed development.

How did the engagement start?

In another case study, we refer to a relationship with this client that started with DCG providing consulting and analysis on the governance and measurement of their Software Development group. Through that earlier engagement DCG built a good understanding of the organization's strengths and weaknesses and a strong relationship with the senior management team. Part of that strong relationship included continuing conversations after the initial paid engagement were over.

In one of these conversations, it emerged that the second Head of Product Development in 6 months had decided to move on to new responsibilities. This happened at a critical time for the organization when leadership was needed to finalize and then execute a strategic partnership that included development of a new product. After a conversation with the Head of Marketing (which included Product Management, DCG CEO, Mike Harris,) concluded that the most valuable thing that DCG could do for our Client in the short term would be to step in as Temporary Head of Product Management until the position could be filled permanently. This was far from a typical DCG engagement but we both agreed that it was the top priority at that point.

How was DCG’s commitment to value evident from the start of the relationship?

• Putting the Client first – As CEO of DCG, Mike Harris has a variety of duties which tend to fill most of his time. Mike agreed to set aside half of his time for five months (it eventually turned out to be nine months) for this urgent role which included line management of the Product Management team spread over nine time zones.

What did our Client achieve?

The main achievements of this period were:

• New Product Development started within Strategic Partnership

• Product Management (PM) Team sustained, developed and stretched as a team and as individuals with clearer ownership of products and individual roles.

• New PM-led product development model developed with three-way partnership between PM, Software Development and external software product development partners • Smooth transition to the new, permanent Head of PM at the end of the engagement


What does the client say about the value from the relationship today?

Morag Lucey, Head of Marketing and Product Management: “The experience with David Consulting Group has been exceptional in terms of really helping us make changes within our development and within our product management organization, and also challenging our company to think differently. The benefits that we will see from that will be greater return on our development investments and quicker time to market for development opportunities with partners, and an ability for product management to be a much stronger voice within the Convergys organization. ...  I would highly recommend DCG if somebody is looking to challenge the status quo within their development or product management organization.”