A clear project management model brings greater efficiency and consistency to Turku Energia

Turku Energia has begun preparing for the major transformation taking place across the energy sector. The company is at the centre of the energy transition and actively contributing to the move towards carbon neutrality.

This highlighted the need for a consistent and clearly defined project management model. Turku Energia needed a common approach that would bring greater structure to both individual projects and the management of the entire project portfolio.

Finland’s most widely used project management model provided a proven foundation

Kumura, which has since become part of IQI, has delivered project management models to more than 150 organisations.

The ABC Project Management Model is based on international standards, including PMBOK and ISO 21500. It is Finland’s most widely used project management model and is always tailored to the customer’s specific business needs.

The model provides a framework for assessing whether new projects support the company’s strategy. It also improves resource management across project boundaries.

Turku Energia selected the ABC Project Management Model and IQI as its partner after evaluating potential providers. IQI’s experience with other organisations in the energy sector was of particular interest.

“We discussed our development needs and found that IQI had a ready-made, structured and easy-to-understand ABC Project Management Model. It gave us a solid foundation for building an approach suited to our own operations.”

Matti Akkanen
Project Manager, Heat Business Unit, Turku Energia

Once the objectives and intended outcomes of the collaboration were clear, Turku Energia had no doubt that IQI was the right partner for developing its project management model.

Clear benefits helped secure commitment across Turku Energia

The ABC Project Management Model was tailored to Turku Energia’s needs through a series of workshops. IQI was represented by Lead Consultant Markku Aarni, CECC, and Development Consultant Kari Kärkkäinen.

Twelve people from three Turku Energia business units participated in the workshops. They included a business director, project managers, project owners, a business controller and subject matter experts.

“The workshops had a very positive and open atmosphere. The participants took a strongly solution-focused approach, and it was clear that Turku Energia had carefully considered the benefits of the project management model. There was a strong commitment to putting the model into practice.”

Kari Kärkkäinen
Development Consultant, IQI

The project management model delivered value during the collaboration

Establishing a project management model as part of everyday operations takes time, and the model will continue to evolve as Turku Energia gains more experience in using it. However, Akkanen says the ABC model was already delivering the intended benefits during the collaboration.

“We have now brought all projects in the Heat business unit into a single portfolio and adopted a consistent format across them. New projects can no longer begin without formal gate decisions. We are still gathering experience and learning, but the model is in use and we can confidently say that it works,” Akkanen explains.

Akkanen recommends the ABC Project Management Model for organisations with numerous stakeholders and complex decision-making structures. The model establishes consistent practices and documentation, bringing project operations together in a structured way.

“My own experience is in the energy sector, but the ABC model is undoubtedly useful and necessary in larger organisations and complex operating environments, regardless of the industry,” Akkanen concludes.