Meta Description: Discover how leveraging project champions like Leo can transform your project management success. Read this Pintail Solutions case study and unlock practical strategies for alignment and collaboration.
Project management often requires teams to reframe perspectives, collaborate across disciplines, and remain flexible in the face of unfamiliar challenges. In this post, Pintail Solutions shares a powerful case study where leveraging a project champion helped a team overcome significant knowledge gaps and alignment issues.
In large, cross-functional initiatives, project champions provide senior-level insight, leadership support, and cross-team influence. When teams effectively integrate these champions, they improve communication, remove organizational barriers, and align around goals.
The Pintail team was experienced in managing small molecule projects. However, shifting into large molecule drug development presented new complexities. To support the team, leadership introduced Leo as a project champion. But initial collaboration faltered due to unclear expectations and differing perspectives.
Despite shared objectives, Leo and the team struggled to align. Miscommunication stalled progress, and roles remained unclear. This disconnect illustrated the importance of clarity and structured integration when leveraging project champions.
By reframing Leo as a member of the team—not just an external stakeholder—the team shifted the dynamic. They began giving him specific tasks, clearly outlined expectations, and made space for his contributions. This simple mindset shift transformed collaboration.
Once roles were clearly defined, Leo used his influence to resolve roadblocks and engage senior leadership effectively. The team, now aligned with their champion, moved forward with more confidence and unity.
Project champions are powerful assets when used strategically. This case from Pintail Solutions demonstrates how shifting mindset and clarifying roles can unlock collaboration, remove obstacles, and ensure project delivery. Embrace this mindset and strengthen your next project from the inside out.
Jason Bork is the President and Founder of Pintail Solutions, a management advisory firm helping organizations drive partner growth and deploy new business strategies. He also serves as Chief Operating Officer at the Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation, where he advances initiatives that accelerate Alzheimer’s research. With more than 20 years of corporate leadership experience across R&D, project and alliance management, and client services, Jason has led global teams of nearly 400 people and guided organizations through transformative change. A graduate of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, he is known for his integrity-driven leadership, collaborative style, and passion for mentoring future leaders.
Pintail Solutions is a niche management advisory firm focused on enabling overall project and portfolio delivery, developing and deploying new business strategies, and delivering construction projects across life science organizations.
