Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face special challenges in project management: Digital transformation, new business models and cost-saving initiatives have to be managed in parallel with day-to-day business – and with limited resources. The classic project management approaches are often too complex, too lengthy and too expensive for SMEs.

Our Community of Practice "Pragmatic Multi-Project Management for SMEs" develops lean, fast-acting methods specifically for SMEs. We focus on a paradigm shift: Instead of lengthy change processes that are supposed to bring benefits at some point, we focus on quick successes that almost inevitably result in change.

Our approach is based on the principles of the Execution Excellence Manifesto and creates transparency about the project landscape, accelerates the implementation of strategic initiatives and optimizes resource management within a few days – with minimal administrative effort and no prior PM knowledge. 

The motivation behind the Execution Excellence Manifesto:

In many companies, there is a significant gap between strategic planning and actual implementation. When implementation falters, "better" – usually more detailed – planning is often required. This leads to considerable additional work for project managers, while at the same time leaving less time for the actual project work.

The vicious circle intensifies when change management initiatives do not address the root cause: too many projects are running at the same time. A project can't be successful if the team doesn't find the right amount of time for it. The Execution Excellence Manifesto offers a way out of this dilemma and helps companies move from "more projects at once" to "successfully complete more projects". The six principles of the Execution Excellence Manifesto form the basis of our work:

1. Focus on Little: Focus on the most important and valuable projects at the portfolio level. Avoid "planned overload" at all costs. At the project level, you plan and monitor only a few, but meaningful key data.
2. Manage projects and portfolio with simple key figures. Right from the start: Limit yourself to standardized key figures that are collected automatically. Look not only at the past, but also at the future in terms of achieving goals. Trust the honest assessment of the project management.
3. Get started quickly. Improve continuously: Start building up the overall overview within a maximum of 2-4 weeks. Don't wait for perfect conditions. Start now, even if the current portfolio planning is not yet optimal – that's when you will benefit the most.
4. Visualize projects and portfolio: Make sure everyone involved has a common picture of the key data. Give all employees access to the overview of the entire portfolio and the current key figures. Reduce access barriers to a minimum.
5. Practice trust and commitment: Trust the project management and the team that they will adhere to the agreed key data. Avoid small-scale specifications and micro-controlling. Regularly get the explicit commitment of the project manager and offer support if necessary.
6. Use cloud software and AI support in a targeted manner: Provide a cloud solution for high-level planning and estimation of key data. Ensure that metrics, forecasts, and status reports are automatically calculated. Separate high-level portfolio management systems from detailed planning tools.

In working groups, we deal with questions such as:

• How does change succeed in SMEs?
• Change management without a lot of overhead
• Resistors and Enablers
• How do you calculate the benefits of the execution excellence approach?
• Which software can be used to support the execution excellence approach in a targeted manner?

Best Practice: We develop pragmatic approaches for SMEs that can be implemented without a long lead time and with minimal effort. Our methods are field-tested and tailored to the specific needs of SMEs.

Networking: We offer a platform for exchange between project management experts and SME representatives. In our working groups, concrete solutions to typical challenges are developed.

Publications: We publish technical articles, white papers and practical reports on topics of pragmatic project portfolio management for SMEs.

The CoP KMU organises regular virtual working meetings, in which the working groups meet once a quarter or as needed. This is where planning, coordination and technical discussions take place.

We are currently planning a face-to-face event for managing directors and owners of SMEs. The event will take place on March 26, 2026 in Munich and will offer practical insights into the implementation of the Execution Excellence approach.