At the 2024 Capability Symposium, the ADF emphasized their commitment to prioritizing ‘Speed to Capability’ as a key focus of the Defence Strategic Review.
This shift means a revised capability acquisition system, processes, and behaviours that demonstrate top-down direction into capability development. Strategic risks will be assessed with urgency, focusing on delivering timely and relevant capabilities, and emphasizing minimum viable capability in the shortest possible time frame.
For the defence industry, this new approach means managing programs, budgets, and timeframes more efficiently to meet the ADF’s commitment to efficiency and risk reduction.
Managing Risk Proves a Winning Strategy
Systematiq’s Managing Director, Brydon Johnson, highlighted that Systematiq is well-suited to assist clients who are not specialists in Defence project delivery. “We are the perfect project management partner because we can manage those risk factors and stakeholder relationships to keep a project on track,” he said.
Systematiq’s model, developed over several years, helps clients deliver complex projects in Land, Sea, and Air domains. Their expertise in whole-of-lifecycle project management and deep knowledge of CASG procurement and sustainment requirements allow them to foresee problems and steer projects to successful outcomes.
One of Systematiq’s notable projects was assisting Chemring Australia in delivering LAND 500 to the Commonwealth Government. Chemring, a leading Australian manufacturer and supplier of airborne countermeasures, replaced the Army’s obsolete Manpack Electronic Surveillance systems with their ‘Resolve 3’ system under a contract valued at up to $18 million.
Chemring required local support in Australia to guide the delivery of the ASDEFCON Statement of Work (SOW). Systematiq provided Project Management Organisation (PMO) services to coordinate their Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and ensure successful project delivery. An experienced project manager led the team until Chemring could manage the remainder of the project.
Steve Dartnell, the then General Manager of Force Protection at Chemring Australia, commented, “Chemring Australia’s core business is manufacturing, and Land 500 was our first major capital acquisition project win. We didn’t have the expertise in-house to guide us through the process, so we looked for a partner to provide us with that capability.”
Systematiq was an ideal fit, providing access to personnel with an understanding of Defence’s acquisition process. Dartnell attributed the successful delivery of the Resolve System, along with the required engineering and support CDRLs, to the professional support from the Systematiq team.
Project Management Expertise
Ben Burrows, Systematiq’s Head of Projects and Capability, and ex-CASG Program Director, noted that with the new focus on speed to capability, projects will be more closely scrutinized. “Projects can be difficult to manage due to the complexities between government project offices and suppliers unfamiliar with working with the Commonwealth,” he said.
Systematiq provides a rigorous PMO approach using industry-standard systems and tools to ensure quality, accuracy, and clarity through reporting dashboards, project health checks, and strong stakeholder management.
Continuous Capability Development
Systematiq continues to evolve, bringing on specialized consultants and ex-defence and CASG personnel to meet clients’ needs and support successful Defence project delivery. They have developed engineering management plans that embed them in client projects for 3 to 4 years, supporting with tender specialists, pricing and scheduling, systems engineering, and integrated logistics expertise.
Johnson cited an example of their work with Thomas Global Systems on the Land907 Phase 2 Immersive Tactical Trainer. Systematiq first provided tender support and then project management expertise to deliver contract requirements, proving invaluable for Thomas Global as resources could be scaled to match project phases.
Partnering with clients results in the best outcomes for them and the Commonwealth, allowing Systematiq to manage risk effectively by mitigating scope creep, managing compliance standards, and meeting introduction to service requirements.
By aligning with the ADF’s outcomes-based KPIs, Systematiq is a sound choice for project management capability. Contact them through their website or speak to one of the team at Land Forces.