Transforming flood risk management: a strategic PMO maturity journey

Challenge

The Environment Agency's Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCRM) Improvement Portfolio was a newly established team experiencing rapid growth. They needed a comprehensive approach to enhance their portfolio management office (PMO) capabilities and achieve a high level of project, programme, and portfolio management (PPPM) maturity. The specific challenges included:

• developing a robust approach to improve ways of working within the portfolio management office
• reviewing and optimising resource allocation for project management and technical resources
• creating a practical, targeted implementation strategy that could be quickly adopted
• establishing a more resilient and efficient operating model to support portfolio expansion.

Solution

Methods approached the challenge through a comprehensive and tailored assessment process. The team conducted an in-depth review of the FCRM Improvement Portfolio, leveraging the P3M3® framework to analyse seven critical perspectives:

1. Management Control
2. Stakeholder Management
3. Benefits Management
4. Organisational Management
5. Financial Management
6. Risk Management
7. Resource Management.

The approach involved a meticulous analysis process that began with gathering over 200 comments through critical friend feedback. From this extensive input, the team identified eight key theme threads to evaluate the portfolio's strengths and weaknesses:

1. Assurance
2. Behaviours
3. Information and Knowledge Management
4. Infrastructure and Tools
5. Organisation
6. Planning
7. Process
8. Standards.

Methods developed a strategic blueprint that went beyond a theoretical approach. The team conducted 16 targeted engagement sessions over three months, including show and tells, on-site workshops, and one-to-one sessions. These interactions allowed for a deep dive into portfolio lifecycle reviews, PMO maturity assessments, and detailed recommendation walkthroughs.

Crucially, the team tailored their presentations to different stakeholder groups. Strategic-level actions were presented to the executive group, while operational teams received specific, actionable day-to-day tasks. This customised approach ensured that each team received relevant and immediately implementable recommendations.

Impact

The engagement delivered significant value to the FCRM Improvement Portfolio. It

• provided a clear, logical roadmap for improvement with specific focus areas
• offered targeted next steps for resource allocation
• developed a comprehensive blueprint for achieving higher PMO maturity
• created a more resilient and efficient operating model
• established a strong collaborative partnership, with the client noting that the Methods team felt like strategic peers.

By combining strategic insight with practical implementation, Methods helped the FCRM Improvement Portfolio set a strong foundation for future growth and effectiveness in managing flood and coastal erosion risk management projects.