Whether you’re launching a new product, improving internal processes, or rolling out a strategic change, one question often arises: Does this need to be project managed? And if so, what does that actually mean in practice?

At Certitude, we’ve worked with hundreds of organisations across sectors from government and education to health and retail helping them answer this very question. Here’s how we break it down.

What Makes Something a Project?

Not every initiative needs formal project management. But many do and the consequences of skipping it can be costly.

Ask yourself:

• Is there a defined outcome or deliverable?
• Are multiple stakeholders involved?
• Is there risk, budget, or timeline sensitivity?
• Will it require coordination across teams or systems?

If you answered “yes” to most of these, you’re likely dealing with a project and it deserves structured management.

Why Project or Product Management Adds Value

Good project and product management isn’t just about Gantt charts and status reports. It’s about enabling success through:

• Clarity of purpose: Everyone knows what success looks like.
• Alignment: Stakeholders are engaged and expectations are managed.
• Efficiency: Resources are used wisely, and risks are mitigated.
• Accountability: Roles are clear, and progress is tracked.

These principles apply whether you’re building a new product, implementing a system, or delivering a change initiative.

Alignment on Purpose: Why It Matters

Before diving into delivery plans or assigning tasks, it’s critical to align on why the initiative exists in the first place. This shared understanding of purpose is the foundation of effective project management and often the difference between success and confusion.

When teams are clear on the “why,” they:

• Make better decisions: Priorities are easier to set when everyone knows what matters most.
• Stay focused: Scope creep is less likely when the purpose is well defined.
• Collaborate more effectively: Stakeholders can engage meaningfully when they understand the intent.
• Adapt with confidence: If things change, teams can pivot while staying true to the original goal.

We’ve seen this play out in organisations where strategic change initiatives faltered not because of poor execution, but because the purpose wasn’t clearly defined or shared. Conversely, when teams are aligned on the “why,” delivery becomes smoother, and outcomes are more impactful.

Project management provides the tools and frameworks to establish and maintain this alignment from project charters and stakeholder maps to communication plans and governance structures.

Need Help Deciding?

If you’re unsure whether your initiative needs project management, we can help. Our advisory team offers:

• Project health checks
• Delivery frameworks
• Capability assessments
• Training and coaching

We also offer qualifications in project and product management certifications, tailored to your organisation’s needs.