Background A hospice introduces projects across teams and services that vary in size and scope. Projects enable implementation of beneficial changes set out in our strategic objectives (Görög. Int J Project Management. 2016;34(8):1658–69). To deliver on organisational strategic priorities, a scalable framework was required for colleagues to work towards continuous improvements and deliver projects successfully. It was agreed a defined methodology for approaching projects would help achieve this.

Aims Introduce a consistent approach to projects (dependent on project area): create agile processes to free up staff time; create monetary savings and improve services.

Methods In 2023, our Head of Service Design and Continuous Improvement defined and implemented the new methodology, which was introduced to managers: colleagues with new projects are invited to add their project to an online tracker; a project site is set up so the delivery plan can be written; a project kick-start team meeting begins; teams add items to the delivery plan; progress is tracked online; the project is monitored and evaluated; a project close report is completed.

Results After one year of adopting a more standardised approach to project management, we have noticed a more consistent approach across processes, language, and documentation, which extends to roles and responsibilities, improving understanding of project justification, time management, agile techniques and expected benefits. We have empowered team members to lead projects, creating opportunities for their development and capitalising on our existing resources. At a senior level we have enabled better visibility of projects, their progress, and overall capacity. Ultimately, our more structured approach to project management has contributed to a culture of continuous improvement, with less resistance to change.

Conclusion The approach has been used for large strategic and small tactical projects. We have begun work on defining evaluation metrics that will measure the impact of introducing a methodology to all projects within the organisation.