A Blueprint for Strategic PMO Success: Insights from Diversus Health’s Journey
The implementation of a Strategic Project Management Office (SPMO) represents a transformative shift for any organization, and for Diversus Health it was both profound and necessary. As a leading provider of mental health and substance abuse services in central Colorado, Diversus Health faced the challenge of aligning its operational efforts with its ambitious strategic goals. Under the guidance of Scott Martin, their Chief Information Officer, and with the support of OnePlan, Diversus Health embarked on a pivotal journey. This initiative was not just about enhancing project management practices; it was about reshaping the organization’s approach to goal alignment, fostering a culture of transparency, and ensuring that every effort contributed meaningfully to its mission of community well-being.
Identifying the Need for an SPMO
When Martin assumed his role as CIO at Diversus Health, he encountered a thriving organization with a dedicated team and numerous projects underway, but a significant issue loomed: there was no systematic way to measure whether these initiatives were truly moving the organization toward its strategic goals. This lack of alignment between project execution and organizational objectives created inefficiencies, diminished transparency, and made it challenging to prioritize resources effectively.
Martin’s background in IT leadership and project management positioned him uniquely to identify this gap. “We were doing great work,” he recalled, “but I kept asking, ‘Did we hit our goals for the year?’ We didn’t have a way to measure or report that.” Without a clear framework for assessing project success, it became evident that valuable efforts risked being diluted or misaligned with Diversus’ overarching mission.
As Martin went deeper into the organization’s operational landscape, he realized that the root of the problem lay in the absence of a centralized framework for managing and aligning projects. This realization sparked discussions with the organization’s leadership, who shared Martin’s vision for innovation and improvement. Together, they examined how introducing a Strategic Project Management Office (SPMO) could provide the structure and tools needed to bridge this alignment gap. This executive support was instrumental as Martin presented the concept of an SPMO as a vehicle for driving strategic alignment, optimizing resource allocation, and providing transparent reporting mechanisms. The leadership team’s openness to change and willingness to embrace a new approach was vital to kickstarting this initiative.
Beyond the immediate need for better alignment, Martin recognized the broader implications of an SPMO: as the organization was undergoing a period of evolution, and a well-implemented SPMO could play a pivotal role in enabling long-term growth, fostering accountability, and supporting the organization’s mission to deliver exceptional mental health services. With this in mind, Martin and his team set out to design an SPMO that would integrate seamlessly into Diversus’ operations while introducing a much-needed layer of strategic oversight.
Building the SPMO: A Ground-Up Approach
An essential part of establishing the new SPMO at Diversus was prioritizing transparent communication. Regular updates through leadership forums allowed for continuous engagement and feedback. These sessions not only clarified the purpose and benefits of the SPMO but also provided an opportunity to address any concerns or misconceptions within the organization.
Central to the SPMO’s framework was the introduction of Objectives and Key Results (OKRs). This methodology provided a clear and measurable structure to ensure projects were directly contributing to Diversus’ strategic goals. Martin notes the importance of creating “stretch goals” that inspired the team to aim high. Iterative implementation of OKRs, paired with quarterly reporting, created a culture of accountability and transparency. Teams could see not only their successes but also areas needing improvement, supporting recognition of collective progress.
The development of the SPMO also highlighted the necessity of adaptability, as initial assumptions about how data and processes would align with strategic goals required recalibration. For instance, the integration of existing tools like Power BI and Microsoft Teams facilitated smoother adoption among staff and ensured continuity with familiar workflows. This iterative approach not only allowed for necessary course corrections but also ensured the organization remained focused on achieving its long-term vision.
In establishing the SPMO, Diversus laid a solid foundation for strategic alignment, effective resource allocation, and enhanced organizational transparency. This has not only optimized their project management practices but has also set a standard for aligning day-to-day operations with broader strategic objectives.
The Role of OnePlan in Diversus Health’s Transformation
OnePlan was a key partner in Diversus Health’s SPMO journey, providing the technology and flexibility needed to implement an effective SPMO. As a leading strategic portfolio management platform, OnePlan offered the versatility required to accommodate Diversus Health’s diverse project methodologies. This adaptability was crucial given the organization’s mix of initiatives spanning Lean Six Sigma, Agile, and Waterfall approaches. Martin emphasized the importance of this flexibility, noting, “OnePlan allowed us to support various project methodologies without locking us into a single rigid framework. That was a game changer for us.”

One of the most significant benefits of OnePlan was its ability to integrate seamlessly with Diversus Health’s existing tools and systems. As a healthcare organization, interoperability with tools like Microsoft Teams, Power BI, and the Electronic Health Records (EHR) system was essential. These integrations eliminated the need for manual processes, reduced administrative burdens, and provided a centralized view of all project data. Martin highlighted the impact of these integrations: “The ability to pull real-time data into Power BI dashboards and have it automatically updated through OnePlan transformed how we tracked and communicated progress. It was no longer a guessing game.”
Beyond integrations, OnePlan’s configurability allowed Diversus Health to tailor the platform to their unique needs. This customization extended to creating templates for various project types, enabling teams to standardize processes while maintaining the flexibility to adapt to specific project requirements. For example, OnePlan supported templates for engagements—smaller, less formal projects that required monitoring but not extensive documentation. This approach saved time and streamlined workflows, ensuring resources were used efficiently.
Adoption was another critical aspect of OnePlan’s role in the transformation. The familiarity of OnePlan’s interface, particularly its alignment with tools like Microsoft Teams, made it easier for staff to embrace the new system. Martin noted that the seamless integration with everyday tools fostered higher adoption rates and reduced resistance to change. “Our teams didn’t feel like they were learning a completely new system. OnePlan fit into their existing workflows, which made all the difference,” he explained.

Additionally, OnePlan’s real-time reporting capabilities empowered Diversus Health to maintain transparency across all levels of the organization. Leadership could access up-to-date information on project performance, resource allocation, and goal attainment, fostering a culture of informed decision-making. This level of visibility was especially valuable in a dynamic and resource-intensive field like healthcare, where the ability to pivot quickly is vital. OnePlan’s configurable dashboards and reports allowed Diversus to adjust priorities and resources in response to changing circumstances. For example, Martin and his team could swiftly reallocate efforts to address new regulatory requirements or emerging opportunities, ensuring the organization remained agile and focused.
Overcoming Challenges
The path to implementing a SPMO at Diversus was not without its hurdles. One of the primary challenges faced during the implementation was delays in hiring skilled project management professionals. Martin recognized early on that having dedicated staff to manage and execute projects would be crucial. However, the process of recruiting individuals with the right expertise took longer than anticipated. “We posted those positions, thinking we’d fill them quickly,” Martin explained. “But the timeline didn’t align with our implementation needs.”
As a result, Martin found himself stepping into roles beyond his initial scope. From system configuration to overseeing integrations, he had to balance strategic oversight with hands-on responsibilities. Despite these constraints, the implementation moved forward, thanks in large part to the flexibility of OnePlan. The platform’s intuitive design and configurability enabled Martin and his team to make adjustments on the fly, ensuring that progress continued even without a fully staffed team.
Another significant challenge was transitioning from a fragmented approach—relying heavily on spreadsheets and disparate tools—to a centralized system. While the benefits of using a unified platform like OnePlan were clear, the shift required a cultural adjustment. Team members accustomed to their previous processes faced a learning curve, particularly in adapting to new workflows and tools. To address these challenges, Diversus Health leveraged OnePlan’s flexibility to tailor the platform to their unique needs. The ability to configure templates for different project types allowed the organization to maintain familiarity while standardizing processes. “OnePlan’s configurability was a lifesaver,” Martin noted. “We could adapt the system as we learned what worked best for our team.”
Prioritizing Strategic Projects
At the heart of Diversus Health’s transformation was the establishment of a systematic approach to prioritizing projects. The introduction of a scoring system based on ten key strategic criteria allowed the organization to evaluate and rank projects effectively, ensuring that the most impactful initiatives received priority. “We had 60 projects in our backlog,” Martin recalled. “By implementing this scoring system, we could identify which initiatives would drive the most strategic value. It wasn’t just about compliance or grant-funded projects; it was about creating a balanced portfolio that reflected our mission and long-term vision.”
The prioritization process also incorporated a dynamic perspective, accounting for both high-level strategic projects and necessary operational initiatives. For example, compliance-driven projects, essential to meeting regulatory requirements, were assessed alongside growth-oriented endeavors. This holistic approach ensured that Diversus Health maintained operational stability while pursuing innovation.
Flexibility was another cornerstone of this prioritization strategy. The scoring system was designed to be adaptable, allowing adjustments based on evolving organizational needs. This adaptability was essential in navigating the complex and ever-changing landscape of healthcare. “We found that flexibility was key,” Martin emphasized. “Being able to pivot and reallocate resources as priorities shifted helped us stay aligned with our overarching objectives.”
The Importance of Change Management
Implementing the Strategic Project Management Office (SPMO) at Diversus Health was not just a technical transformation but a cultural one. Change management was essential in ensuring that the organization adapted smoothly to new methodologies, processes, and expectations. By introducing changes in manageable stages, Diversus allowed teams to adjust incrementally. This phased adoption minimized disruption and created opportunities to refine processes based on feedback. Regular check-ins and quarterly reporting sessions ensured that both leadership and staff remained informed about progress, challenges, and adjustments.
Additionally, Diversus Health utilized training and support to ease the transition for its teams. By investing in resources to help staff understand and utilize new tools like OnePlan, the organization reduced the learning curve and built confidence in the new systems. The user-friendly nature of OnePlan further supported this effort, as it seamlessly integrated with existing workflows, reducing friction during the adoption phase.
Looking Ahead
As Diversus Health continues its journey, the organization remains steadfast in its commitment to scaling and refining the SPMO. This includes the enhanced integration of advanced tools such as Microsoft Viva Goals, designed to streamline the cascading of OKRs across all levels of the organization. Additionally, Diversus is investing in robust project management training programs for its staff. Plans also include ongoing evaluation of SPMO processes to incorporate emerging project management trends, fostering adaptability and resilience.
Through its partnership with OnePlan, Diversus has revolutionized its project management approach, creating streamlined workflows and ensuring the alignment of initiatives with the organization’s mission. This transformation has not only enhanced the efficiency of project execution but has also positioned the organization for sustained growth and innovation. In an industry where the stakes are high, the ability to translate strategic objectives into actionable plans is essential for achieving meaningful outcomes.
Diversus Health’s experience underscores that success lies in the convergence of a clear vision, effective collaboration, and the deployment of tools that empower teams to deliver their best work. The lessons of their SPMO’s creation and evolution can serve as a guiding framework for other organizations to pursue similar pathways to transformation. With a solid foundation in place, Diversus Health is now well-positioned to continue making a profound impact in the mental health sector, providing vital services while driving excellence at every level of the organization.
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