This project involved managing a complex drug development programme with high scientific uncertainty and frequent scope changes. The focus was on maintaining control over timelines, cost, and decision points while introducing agility into a traditionally waterfall-driven environment.

Project description

Drug development projects are characterised by uncertainty, frequent data-driven decisions, and complex interdependencies. Federico was appointed Project Manager in July 2024 at a critical stage, when the project plan was immature and required rapid professionalisation to support effective management and decision-making.

The scope of the project included aligning scientific milestones with business objectives, ensuring timely communication of changes, and maintaining control of an €8 million budget. Federico managed a core project team of 14 members, supported by 15 staff involved in enabling tasks.

The challenge lay in balancing a waterfall project structure with the need for agility. Scientific decisions often altered timelines, scope, and cost, requiring a flexible approach that could still provide reliable scenarios for management review. Federico ensured that project plans were continuously updated and communicated, enabling executives to take informed Go/No-go decisions.

This project directly supported Agomab’s strategic objectives by enabling the company to advance a critical development programme, with project management playing a central role in ensuring clarity and control in a complex context.

Project management excellence

As Project Manager, I quickly brought structure and maturity to the project plan, ensuring it could track scope, cost, and timelines in real time. This required strong onboarding, as I joined mid-project, and the ability to establish trust and effective working relationships with stakeholders under pressure.

The methodology applied was a hybrid approach, embedding agile elements into a waterfall plan. This allowed flexibility for scientific change while maintaining predictability for executives. For example, project scenarios with updated timelines and cost impacts were prepared to support clear, data-based decision-making.

Stakeholder management was central. I built new relationships across scientific, operational, and management teams, ensuring that changes were communicated clearly and that alignment was maintained.

Project outcomes and impact

The project delivered mature and reliable planning tools that enabled management to make informed decisions on project continuation and investment. Scenario planning provided clarity on timelines and costs, even under changing conditions.

My role ensured the project stayed on track despite major scope changes, reinforcing organisational confidence in its progress and value. Managing this initiative strengthened my expertise in integrating agile practices into structured environments, as well as in delivering impact quickly in a highly complex industry.