I don’t start with plans and actions right away. First, I need to be clear about what we are actually doing. I make the question concrete: what is the problem, who is affected, and what truly needs to be different in the end?

I define the purpose: which public interest is being served, and which values are at stake? I make clear what the project will do—and just as importantly, what it will deliberately not do.

If this cannot be clarified properly, I raise the issue. At that point, it is either not yet a project, or not the right project for me.

Once the assignment is clear, I translate it into an approach that fits the organization. I create a logical phasing and planning with clear milestones. I define roles and responsibilities and agree on how decisions will be made.

I assess processes, information, data, and systems as they currently operate, and determine together with stakeholders what we can build on and what needs to change. No unnecessary formats, but enough structure so everyone knows what is needed and when.

In the implementation phase, I make sure the work keeps moving while I stay true to the underlying purpose. I safeguard progress, dependencies and risks. I address anything that slows the project down, causes friction or undermines its impact. I watch for shifts: are new demands constantly being added, is the public interest fading from view, does the scope still make sense? Where needed, I recalibrate – in scope, in timeline, in resourcing or in expectations. Reflection – taking a brief pause in order to move forward more effectively – is a standard part of how I work.

A project is only finished once the new way of working has truly become part of the organisation. I translate the outcomes into concrete changes in processes, agreements, roles and systems. I make clear who owns what and how we will track whether things work as intended. Together, I look back with the organisation: what have we achieved, what still needs attention and what do we carry forward into future projects? That way, every project delivers twice: visible change in daily practice and sharper insights for the future.