- PMO & Project Controls, Consumer Goods
To support its long-term growth strategy, a leading company in the food sector launched a large-scale initiative aimed at increasing production capacity while maintaining high standards of quality, safety, and regulatory compliance.
This initiative consolidated a wide range of projects into a single portfolio, including industrial expansion projects, construction and automation initiatives, as well as compliance-driven projects related to quality, health and safety, logistics, and operational excellence.
As the number and complexity of projects increased, the organization faced growing challenges in coordinating initiatives, maintaining visibility, and ensuring consistent execution across its production plants. The absence of a centralized project governance structure limited prioritization, transparency, and decision-making at the portfolio level.
To address this situation, the company partnered with MIGSO-PCUBED (MP) to assess its existing practices and establish a structured project management framework, including governance, processes, tools, and reporting standards capable of supporting both industrial and compliance initiatives. The objective was to build a scalable management structure that would enable control, alignment, and performance across a complex, multi-site environment.
Context
Our client managed a broad portfolio of projects across multiple production plants in Spain, covering industrial expansions as well as compliance-related initiatives.
As the portfolio grew, projects were executed by different teams using varied approaches and tools, which limited consistency and transparency.
The lack of a centralized framework made it difficult to track progress, manage risks, and maintain a consolidated view of portfolio performance, especially in terms of priorities and CAPEX.
Challenge: Managing a Growing and Diverse Project Portfolio
The increasing number and diversity of projects created several challenges:
- No standardized project management methodology across plants.
- Limited visibility into project status and interdependences.
- Challenges in tracking CAPEX at project and plant level.
- Increased risk of delays and misalignment with business priorities.
These challenges highlighted the need for a structured PMO to support effective project execution and portfolio governance.
Solution: Building the PMO from the Ground Up
MP approached the engagement by first conducting a structured assessment of the existing project landscape, governance practices, and organizational capabilities. This analysis aimed to identify gaps in prioritization, standardization, and portfolio oversight across the growing number of initiatives.
The assessment revealed fragmented processes, limited portfolio visibility, and the absence of a centralized governance structure capable of supporting the company’s expansion ambitions. It became clear that isolated process improvements would not be sufficient; a more structured and scalable framework was required.
Based on these findings, MP designed and implemented a comprehensive PMO framework to provide consistency, control, and strategic alignment across the project portfolio.
At a high level, the solution focused on:
- Assessing the current state of project management maturity
- Designing fit-for-purpose methodologies and governance structures
- Providing practical tools and templates to support project teams
- Enabling portfolio-level visibility and informed decision-making
Key Implementation Elements
MP partnered with our client to design and implement a PMO aligned with its operational reality and strategic goals. The approach focused on creating simple, practical processes that could be consistently applied across different project types.
The solution included:
- Assessment of project management maturity and current practices
- Design of tailored methodologies for industrial and compliance projects
- Development of standardized tools and templates
- Training and enablement of project teams
Portfolio Optimization
MP helped reassess its projects, prioritizing those with the most impact and alignment with strategic goals. This streamlined the portfolio and improved resource allocation.
Tools & Reporting
A PMO portal centralized documentation and training, while digital project dashboards and standardized scheduling reports improved visibility and progress tracking.
Key Benefits
- Better portfolio planning and control
- Clearer visibility across sites
- Stronger internal project management capabilities
Impact & Value Delivered: Transforming Project Performance
The PMO Setup delivered clear, measurable value by improving how projects and portfolios are planned, monitored, and governed. The client gained stronger oversight, better visibility, and a more consistent approach to project delivery across its production network, while also strengthening internal capabilities for confident, sustainable project execution.
Key Outcomes
- Enhanced Portfolio Oversight: Projects are now planned and monitored with greater rigor; a structured review of 17 active initiatives led to 4 being placed on hold and multiple schedules being re-aligned to ensure portfolio feasibility and enable smarter executive decision-making.
- Improved Visibility & Control: Clear insights into performance and stronger tracking across all plants.
- Consistent Project Delivery: Standardized processes ensure reliable execution aligned with strategic goals.
- Stronger Internal Capabilities: The Project / PMO department confidently PMO tools and methodologies for the 17 different projects.
- Sustainable Execution: Improvements support long-term project performance and continuous portfolio optimization.
Conclusion: Laying the Foundation for Sustainable Growth
By partnering with MP, the client successfully transformed its approach to project and portfolio management. The PMO Setup not only addressed immediate operational challenges but also established a long-term capability to support strategic growth across its production network.
“The PMO has transformed how we manage and prioritize projects, bringing clarity, focus, and structure across the organization.”
Alejandro Lora-Tamayo - PMO Leader
This article was written by Susana MONTENEGRO RAMOS.
Key results
PMO Setup provided the client with a structured framework to manage a complex and growing project portfolio.
- Improved visibility across projects and the overall portfolio
- Standardized project management processes
- Strengthened CAPEX tracking and governance
- Clear foundation to support industrial and compliance projects
Client overview
Our client operates in the animal nutrition and food production industry, managing multiple production plants in Spain and a diverse portfolio of industrial and compliance-related initiatives.
