Can you introduce yourself, your organisation and your role in it?

My name is Michel Burla, and I have been in charge of the Oils and Fats segment of the Centravo Group since 2019. This segment is based on two sites, an oils and fats refinery in Lyss (BE) and a margarine factory in Mitlödi (GL). It employs 120 people and generates annual sales of CHF 120 million.

Why did you decide to use Prefix’s services?

I had the opportunity to discuss project management with Philippe Lauper, who suggested that I carry out a test to establish my organisation’s project management maturity. The result of the test showed that we had a lot of room for improvement!

What were the main challenges or problems you faced before Prefix came on board?

We already had a project management process in place, but it was clumsily defined, incomplete and not recognised as a process within the group. In short, we lacked project skills and culture. The test also revealed to me that we had no control over our project portfolio.

Which of Prefix’s services did you choose?

Following the test, Prefix was able to make me a proposal targeted at our weaknesses. We chose to start with a full Circular Project Management course and training on the Microsoft Project scheduling tool, so as to build up our skills. After that, we took out a support subscription to become more autonomous.

What struck you most about Circular Project Management, the Prefix method?

I appreciate the flexibility that this method offers. It corresponds well to the frequent changes in our company’s environment (customer requirements, legal requirements). I also appreciate its simplicity and adaptability.

I also like the shape of the 8 method, or lemniscate depending on how you read it. It gives me a good mnemonic to remember it. Since the training course, I’ve been using it regularly to explain certain principles of project management to people around me.

Have you noticed any significant improvements in your team’s productivity or efficiency since working with Prefix?

Yes, clearly. Following the training, we overhauled our entire project management process and the associated documents, and integrated them into our quality system. From now on, we won’t accept any project that doesn’t comply with the method. Thanks to this, we’ve been able to revitalise dormant projects, increase the number of parallel projects and improve our credibility with the group and our customers.

When I read the results of the test, I found it hard to accept that we had major shortcomings in project management, but now we’ve stopped tinkering with things, we’re taking a professional approach. Not only has it made my job easier, it’s also re-energised my team. We should have made this investment much earlier!

What struck you most about Prefix’s services?

For me, Prefix is the art of asking the right questions and coming up with the answers. Everyone in my team is now involved in the project management process and we’ve got into the habit of asking ourselves the right questions!

Can you share a funny or unusual anecdote that happened while you were accompanied by Prefix?

We had planned to do the training in English, the language most common to Prefix and my team. In the end, the oral exchanges were a spontaneous mix of German, Swiss German, English and French. In the end, we all spoke Prefixian!

What other question would you like to answer?

Has the Centravo Group benefited from the return on its investment in Prefix?

Before committing myself, I made a quick calculation of the cost per hour and per person of the team I had tied up for this process. It turned out to be negligible compared with the estimated time saved thanks to our increased skills. I’d advise everyone to start with the test and go through the same experience as we did.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I love the quote that says “When a man’s hungry, it’s better to teach him to fish than to give him a fish“. Prefix has been like our fishing rod!

CONTEXT

F. Baud & T. Früh Atelier d’architecture, created in 1990, is composed of a dozen people and has acquired, among other things, a strong experience in the integration of environmental, social and economic constraints in their projects and in the energy efficiency of buildings. The founders of the office first decided to consolidate the mastery of the whole team in the use of the planning software Merlin Project, then to work on the organization of the office to migrate progressively towards a more horizontal structure thanks to the tools of shared governance.

ACHIEVEMENTS

1. Training of the team on the Merlin Project tool.
2. Organization and facilitation of team development workshops focused on shared governance.
3. Coaching of the founders in the evolution of the office organization.

All references

CONTEXT

ID Quantique is an international company that uses light to develop and industrialise advanced quantum products and technologies for organisations to ensure long-term data protection and public safety.

The company has established itself as a world leader in the fields of quantum security cryptography, scientific instrumentation and random number generation. Its products are used by governments, corporations, industrial customers and university research laboratories in more than 60 countries and on all continents.

ACHIEVEMENTS

1. Accompanying the company on a project with high commercial and technological stakes.
2. Support in raising the maturity of the company in project management.

All references

CONTEXT

H55 is a Swiss company created in 2017 which mission is to bring tailored electric propulsion solutions to the aviation and VTOL industry.

ACHIEVEMENTS

1. Support of the company during its startup phase with strategy and management tools.
2. Support in project portfolio management.
3. Project scheduling and monitoring.

All references