- Client: Airbus Helicopter Group Australia Pacific
- Industry: Aerospace & Defence | Service: Enterprise PMO (EPMO) Setup & Change Enablement
Overview
When Airbus Helicopter Group Australia Pacific sought to strengthen its project governance and delivery capability, they partnered with usto design and implement an Enterprise Portfolio, Program, and Project Management Office (EPMO).
The goal? To transform the organisation from a reactive, task-driven culture into a proactive, strategy-aligned powerhouse of project excellence.
The Challenge
Despite a strong technical foundation, Airbus faced key challenges impacting delivery consistency:
- Lack of visibility across portfolios and programs
- Inconsistent project frameworks and governance
- Limited knowledge sharing and lessons learned
- Reactive project culture with unclear ownership
- Frequent delays, cost overruns, and weak strategic alignment
The organisation needed more than process change — it needed a cultural shift.
Our Approach
We led the transformation with a structured, people-focused strategy, combining best practices in change management and project governance.
1. Assess & Align
We conducted an organisation-wide review with an 85% response rate to identify gaps in project maturity, governance, and cultural readiness.
2. Design the Framework
We created a tailored EPMO blueprint that defined governance models, methodologies, digital tools, and a clear value proposition aligned with Airbus’s strategic objectives.
3. Implement in Phases
A phased roadmap was developed to ensure agility and quick wins:
- Setup & Rollout: Defined EPMO charter, services, and success measures
- Operational: Established processes, templates, and training programs
- Fully Functional: Automated key workflows and embedded mentoring
- Continuous Improvement: Monitored performance, updated tools, and evolved practices
4. Lead the Change
We partnered with Airbus leaders to drive stakeholder engagement, communication, and sponsorship.
Our approach was anchored in three core leadership principles:
Passion. Persistence. Patience.
The Impact
The EPMO became a centre of excellence within Airbus Helicopter Group Australia Pacific — improving efficiency, accountability, and transparency across all projects.
- 80% standardization in project delivery
- Faster decision-making through portfolio visibility
- Enhanced knowledge sharing and collaboration
- Strong executive sponsorship and stakeholder alignment
- Shift from reactive execution to proactive, strategic management
Why It Worked
Our success stemmed from focusing not just on systems, but on people and culture.
By embedding structured change management practices and aligning leadership, we helped Airbus build a sustainable ecosystem for project excellence.
Key Takeaways
- Leadership sponsorship is essential for cultural transformation
- Quick wins build trust and momentum
- Change thrives on clear communication and visible success
- Passion, persistence, and patience sustain long-term results
Client Success
“They helped us move beyond process improvement — they transformed how our teams think, collaborate, and deliver. The EPMO has become the heartbeat of our project ecosystem.”
— Senior Executive, Airbus Helicopter Group Australia Pacific
Transform Your Organisation
We help enterprises turn complexity into clarity through strategy-driven PMO transformation.
If you’re ready to elevate delivery performance and culture — let’s build your EPMO together.