The global pandemic has accelerated widespread digital transformation for businesses of all sizes. This has meant a greater need for remote working and collaborative practices which in turn means an increase in demand for having data and services ‘in the cloud’ which has now become a necessity. The question is how can organisations best manage this?

A number of clients have approached us to help address this challenge and as a result we are increasingly being asked to deliver a complete Global Project Management (GPM) service.

In simple terms, this means we provide a ‘safe hands’ feel and support, sitting client-side with the customer every step of the way. This is done by our in-house team that has extensive knowledge of working within critical environments across the globe. It is supported utilising our Project Management Office (PMO) based in Gatwick where we are placed perfectly for international services.

Our customers that use this service do so for a number of reasons. They do not want to risk finding themselves in a situation where they do not have the correct skill set to deliver the project themselves and struggle to achieve the end goal. Alternatively, they may simply not have the time to manage the project from a client-side perspective.

A good example of this is a recent project where we were positioned client-side and facilitated both the client and the contractor to ensure the end result was achieved and that BAU could continue uninterrupted with no down time to critical infrastructure.

Keysource is an established industry leader in its field working within Critical Environments. Whether that be its consultancy and professional services division offering full design, FAT (Factory Acceptance Testing), SAT (Site Acceptance Tests) and IST (Integrated System Testing); its FM (Facilities Management) maintaining and operating data centres or for our vast experience of delivering projects inclusive of New Build Data Centres, expansions, upgrades and fit outs of live COLO sites undertaking the full turnkey package from cradle to grave.

This broad experience means that we can undertake diverse levels and types of project management for global clients within the critical environments market. Each requirement is different, so we offer a bespoke service to meet our clients’ expectations.

For example, we can deliver great value at the pre-construction stage where we can provide an independent evaluation of every aspect of the project before it begins, to highlight and mitigate delivery or commercial risks. This ensures that there are no nasty surprises either from a cost or delivery perspective.

We have recently undertaken this for a client that had an aggressive timescale to achieve. They approached us to oversee the pre-construction stage to ensure all aspects were covered timely and that the project was being programmed in the best way possible. This meant taking into consideration aspects that would minimise business risk due to the complex nature of the project within a live data centre.

We can also act as a Client Guardian/ Delivery Project Management, where we oversee the project from cradle to grave and advise or manage the delivery process ensuring the key aspects of Time, Cost and Quality. We are often placed client-side between the client and the main contractor to ensure the right questions are being asked and the project is being run to achieve the client’s expectations as an end result.

Whatever the reason for utilising the GPM service our clients know that they can benefit from piece of mind and reassurance as well as a straight answer from a non-vendor specific trusted adviser.

Mark Snooks

Head of Delivery, Keysource