David Cotgreave

If you like David's blogs - he is now a published author - Straight Talk on Project Management (VOLUME III)- Free eBook. Why not download your copy today. http://www.stoneseed.co.uk/ebook David Cotgreave MBA, BSc (hons), PRINCE II, is Professional Services Director at Stoneseed, with over 20 years’ experience in IT Consulting. David has worked with organisations such as BT Engage IT and KPMG, before founding Stoneseed in 2009 and has gained considerable business experience whilst working with a wide range of organisations across the UK and Europe carrying out a range of strategy, review and implementation projects. David is currently responsible for leading the Programme and Project Management services offered by Stoneseed. Project Management as a Service (PMaaS) from Stoneseed offers clients access to Project Management staff, resources and tools at a flexible and predictable cost via a fully Structured Managed Service. www.stoneseed.co.uk

Written Articles

Skeleton Staff: When IT Project Resource Planning Goes Bone-Dry blog image

Skeleton Staff: When IT Project Resource Planning Goes Bone-Dry

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It’s often said that projects fail because of bad technology choices, flawed strategies, creeping scope or shifting business priorities. Often though, the real culprit is much simpler — and scarier.

It’s a lack of people.

Or, more specifically, a lack of the right people at the right time.

Jinxed IT projects blog

Famous Last Words! The Jinxed Phrases Guaranteed To Sink An IT Project!

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BREAKING NEWS | We’ve just been told we’re not allowed to use the C-word in the office!!!!

Yes! Mentioning Christmas has been banned!! (Until the end of the month at least!!)

Apparently, it’s bad luck!

Maybe there is something in that.

The IT Project Talent Crisis: Why Traditional Contractors Aren’t the Answer Right Now

The IT Project Talent Crisis: Why Traditional Contractors Aren’t the Answer Right Now

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The numbers are stark. By 2035, the world will need 30 million additional project professionals to meet global demand. Yet while organisations scramble to fill gaps, most are still relying on outdated resourcing models that simply don’t work in 2025.

The Talent Shortage Isn’t Getting Better—It’s Evolving

Remember when the biggest problem was just finding enough candidates? That was the tip of the iceberg.

The Practical Solution to IT Project Resourcing

Do you know who I am? PMaaS: The Practical Solution to IT Project Resourcing Headaches

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A CIO friend has just switched firms and, when he suggested Project Management as a Service (PMaaS) as an alternative to hiring and contractors, the response from the CFO, COO and CEO was: “who?”.

The real story behind IT projects

From Red to Green: The Real Story Behind IT Project Status —Leadership On Demand with PMaaS

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We all know the RAG system — Red, Amber, Green — three colours on a dashboard that appear to sum up a project’s fate. Seasoned project managers know the truth though: the real story isn’t in the colour; it’s in what happens behind the scenes.

An AI brain

IT Project Management: AI Is on the rise but it’s the human touch that matters

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IT projects are the backbone of business growth.

Delivering them successfully, however, is anything but straightforward: demand for specialist project managers has never been higher; skills shortages continue to bite; and automation powered by artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how project work gets done.

Benefits Realisation: Is the Procurement Act delivering for SMEs and the Public Sector?

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he Procurement Act 2023 came into law on 24 February 2025, promising:

“a simpler and more flexible, commercial system that better meets our country’s needs”

To “open up public procurement to new entrants such as small businesses and social enterprises so that they can compete for and win more public contracts”

“embed transparency throughout the commercial lifecycle so that the spending of taxpayers’ money can be properly scrutinised.”

In this blog we take the pulse of The Procurement Act and ask if the benefits promised are being delivered.

Red keyboard

Mind Your Own Business: How Commercial Impact Is The New IT Project Super-Metric

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Over three quarters (77%) of project professionals say business acumen improves strategic decision making, yet less than a fifth (18%) are highly proficient in it.

That gap is costing organisations more than they realise. Especially in I.T. projects, where the line between delivery and business value is thinner than ever.

A laptop that says Risk Management

How to make risk management pay: The ROI of Business Analysts and PMOs

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Risk management in IT projects has often been considered a defensive discipline, intended to catch issues before they “snowball” into full blown disaster!

Given the current economic climate, where businesses are measuring the ROI on everything, at Stoneseed we’ve applied a growth mindset to risk management and identified that, with proactive risk management, you can unlock real, measurable financial value.

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Why Stoneseed is Rated as an Outstanding Place to Work

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When it comes to finding the perfect workplace, independent employee reviews tell the real story. According to anonymous reviews on Glassdoor – a platform where companies cannot alter or remove employee feedback – Stoneseed’s story is overwhelmingly positive, with an exceptional 4.8 out of 5 stars rating and an impressive 94% of employees recommending the company to friends.

These unfiltered insights from real employees provide an authentic view of what it’s truly like to work at Stoneseed.