In an uncertain economy, strong companies gain ground by prioritizing strategic initiatives and executing them flawlessly. Right now your company needs to adapt, but you’re not sure how to move as quickly as you need to. In the past, big changes have often stalled. Why? Because asking already-busy managers to overhaul processes on top of their key responsibilities rarely works.
The Problem: Change takes resources that are already scant.
Imagine a race car entering a curve. It needs to slow down, but it also needs to accelerate before the straightaway to be competitive. Companies are the same. You need to protect your business and position yourself to win. But with tight resources, how do you make execution happen?
The Solution: Teamlets
Think of ‘Teamlets’ as specialized pit crews for your company’s most important projects. A Teamlet is a focused pair of experts embedded within a business unit / function that partners with internal employees to accelerate change and ensure adoption.
A typical Teamlet consists of two members, a Project Execution Leader and a Process Manager:
What types of organizations should use Teamlets?
Teamlets are an especially good fit for mid-sized firms and larger organizations with constrained budgets that may not be able to hire a full consulting team, though organizations of any size / industry can benefit from using Teamlets.
What are the benefits of using Teamlets, and why should my organization use them over a traditional PMO?
Key Benefits:
- Efficient: Teamlets are a cost-effective alternative to large consulting teams, delivering high-impact execution without the overhead or long ramp-up
- Scalable: You can start with 1–2 Teamlets that focus on your most critical priorities, then scale or redeploy them flexibly as business needs evolve
- Solution-oriented: Teamlets go beyond reporting issues by identifying root causes and implementing solutions with teams, accelerating progress where it matters most
- Responsibly managed: A dual-reporting structure ensures each Teamlet remains aligned with leadership goals while maintaining day-to-day accountability, enabling fast decision making and visible momentum
- Development-focused: Teamlets provide hands-on experience with change management and project leadership for internal talent, preparing them for expanded roles later
Teamlets vs. PMOs
Teamlets are more effective than traditional PMOs because they embed directly within business units, solving problems in real time rather than tracking / reporting from a distance. Unlike PMOs, which can become bogged down in standardized processes and bureaucracy, Teamlets are agile and hands-on, ensuring faster rollout and adoption. Structuring execution around Teamlets also improves how escalations are triaged. With the Project Execution Leader acting as both an embedded partner and a neutral outsider, Teamlets help cut through internal gridlock and clarify what truly needs senior attention.
How should Teamlets be structured?
We recommend using one of two options depending on the number of initiatives you’re looking to tackle and the amount of time that senior executives and department leads can dedicate.
The Finish Line
In today’s fast-paced environment that’s constantly throwing unexpected curves, your company needs to handle the turns without losing speed and be ready to accelerate on the straightaway. Getting strategic initiatives across the finish line isn’t just important; it’s the race. If your company is struggling to gain traction, Teamlets are your execution engine for accelerating change and winning.
If you’d like to learn more about how we’ve supported clients in adopting Teamlets, contact Justin Moser or Stephen Ashford.
