Laura is a Senior Consultant within Consulting Enterprise Applications, Customer Group. She has been working as a Programme Manager in LOCOG’s Strategic Programme Management team since March 2008

So what’s it like working at LOCOG right now?

Lots going on! LOCOG are entering the real nuts and bolts of planning for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The time for strategic planning has passed and learnings from Beijing have been digested. Everyone is really focused on moving into planning for operations at Games time, building engagement as we are at 3 years to go, and ensuring that the organisation is set up to deliver a great Games – something I’m very excited to be part of.

What’s been your best experience so far?

I have two! Firstly, getting the FY09/10 business plan signed off was an enormous achievement and was a great success! Secondly, going and getting my Beijing kit!!! Even though I didn’t get to go to Beijing, every employee was given the Beijing observer uniform. Among other things this consisted of 6 t-shirts, a pair of trainers, 2 pairs of shorts and 2 pairs of trousers – trying on the sizes at “The Hut” distribution centre and getting it all home on the tube was fun! It also allowed us a real experience of what all our volunteers will go through when collecting their uniforms for London 2012.

What are you working on at LOCOG?

I work in the Strategy, Stakeholder Relations and Planning team as a Programme Manager. My main area of responsibility is to run the central Programme Management processes to ensure rigour, consistency and visibility across the organisation to successfully monitor progress and manage risks to delivery.  This includes setting programme and risk management standards, processes and templates and the communication and provision of appropriate information to all levels within the organisation, including defining and implementing appropriate governance structures.

It also involves management of the programme management interface with the following:

• The broader London 2012 delivery programme, specifically through the Olympic Programme Programme Office (OPPO) in the Government Olympic Executive (GOE).
• The International Olympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee across the whole London 2012 Programme.

I have also been part of the core team that developed and ran the process for the annual and lifetime business planning. This looks to set out the priorities, resources and budget required by each department within LOCOG to ensure that this is balanced with our revenue generation opportunities. 
 
Examples of my work would include:

• Improving the monthly reporting process and risk management.
• Working with the IOC and IPC to support the Coordination Commission visits.
• Delivering quarterly reports to Stakeholders. Setting up Governance structures.
• Working out the best approach for managing and monitoring all our commitments as made in the Bid Book.
• Contributing to the Annual Report.
• Developing the tools, templates and processes for business planning and the plans for facilitating Business Planning workshops.
• Developing Lifetime business plans, roadmaps, resource requirements and structure charts, budgets.

What’s your favourite Olympic moment?

Usain Bolt? Amazing! I was very privileged to have a TV installed next to my desk for the duration of the Beijing Games and so I have many favourite moments! Also one of my friends was in the rowing men’s eight and watching Tom win Silver made me very proud.