Project Management - Case Studies

Antony Metcalfe

Aged 34, Major Antony Metcalfe left the Royal Tank Regiment in April 2006 after 'becoming a father, and wanting more stability in my life.' A 12-year career had seen regimental and staff service in the UK, Germany, the Balkans, Afghanistan and Iraq; as well as the development of a passion for Nordic Skiing and its management. He values an 'ability to relate to people from different backgrounds, working under stress and within tight timelines, effective people management, and the ability to multitask effectively without losing sight of the main effort.' He also finds presentation skills extremely useful.

A Career Transition Workshop 'on transferring military skills into civilian ones was very useful.' This was followed by a four-week Level 5 Diploma in Management and a one-week PRINCE 2 Project Management Course at the Bristol Management Centre. Metcalfe rates both as 'very well run and elements have proved to be really useful. The job of Team Leader for Skill Force was advertised on the CTP Website. I was asked to start setting up the new Bath team from June.'

Still Team Leader of Skill Force Bath, he manages a team of four instructors, working with 14 to 16 year old children classed as disaffected under normal school regimes, but who respond to a more vocational system. 'I manage the project from initial discussion with schools, selection of staff and pupils, confirming the time table, equipping the office and training myself and my staff.'

He enjoys challenge and the freedom to develop his role, as well as a 'sense of achievement.' Dislikes include paperwork and being tied to a computer. 'A cut in salary is a necessary evil to break into the civilian market, especially within the charity sector.'

AndrewSpring

Lieutenant CommanderAndrewSpring was a Royal Navy Principal Warfare Officer until September 2005 when a medical discharge ended 20 years in uniform. He believes that ‘service in the Far East, Middle East, Persian Gulf, Northern Ireland, Former Republic of Yugoslavia and Sierra Leone has stood me in good stead for my civilian career, the management skills and experience have enabled me to transfer my experience and adjust to civilian contractual employment.

Formal training in quality management, safety management and project management, led to a Career Transition Workshop which ‘gave a good grounding and understanding of the future challenges. I took a PRINCE 2 Project Managers Course and a four-week Millenium Business Management Course at Bristol Management Centre. The courses were very well facilitated in a environment which was very conducive to learning.

‘I found short term contract employment with Torbay Unitary Authority through the internet. I worked for Torbay for 19 months, firstly as a corporate policy and performance management officer (five months maternity cover), then as a democratic services officer (four months maternity cover) and then as project manager for the Audit Commission corporate assessment of Torbay Council.’

Spring is now programme manager, South West Peninsula Single Assessment Process Partnership between 13 NHS and local government organisations introducing a web-based solution for health and social care organisations across the SouthWestPeninsula. ‘There is a great opportunity for delivering a major programme across the South West which will make a significant difference. There is considerable politics which make the job challenging.’

Published April 08