CEO Tomi Ilijaš Discusses Project Management for Smart Scaling in SBC Magazine

5. 9. 2024 / GOV & NGOs, Heritage, Industry, Tourism As a key highlight in the 4th edition of SBC - Slovenian Business Club Magazine, Arctur's Founder & CEO, Tomi Ilijaš, delved into the complexities of effective project management, sharing invaluable advice for companies aspiring to scale up.
The photo features Tomi Ilijaš, Director of Arctur d.o.o., Ariana Šumandl, Head of the 4PM Department, and Tilen Petrič, Business Developer at 4PM

The article, titled Pitfalls and Benefits of Project Management, offers a deep dive into the challenges faced by rapidly growing companies and provides a roadmap for overcoming these hurdles with the additional help of tools like 4PM.

In the piece, Ilijaš addresses a universal truth in business: rapid growth often leads to significant organizational challenges. As companies expand, the demands on leadership and management increase, requiring a more structured approach to maintaining efficiency and productivity. This is where effective project management becomes crucial. For many businesses, especially those scaling quickly, the ability to delegate responsibilities, define clear processes, and set measurable objectives can make the difference between continued growth and stagnation. 

Ilijaš reflects on Arctur's journey when the organization was faced with rapid expansion: "When we reached 15 employees, I realized that my lack of knowledge in delegating responsibilities was a significant bottleneck," Ilijaš shares. This realization led to the development of 4PM (For Project Management), a software tool that has since been adopted by thousands of users worldwide.

With its expansion to public and private research organizations, 4PM is now recognized for its ability to meet EU project reporting standards, easing the administrative load on scientists. A video introduction to the product is available for those interested, and a tailored presentation can be arranged upon enquiry.

A laptop displaying 4PM tool with a graphic of planned versus actual project costs.

One of the article's key takeaways is the importance of flexibility in project management. Ilijaš emphasizes that projects within a company can vary significantly, and it’s crucial to tailor the management approach to each project’s specific needs. "A good project manager must choose the right approach from the start," he advises.

The versatility of 4PM in supporting different types of projects is a standout feature, enabling users to adjust their management style as needed. "We’ve preset typical project types in 4PM, making setup and management much easier," Ilijaš explains.

Arctur’s success with 4PM is also attributed to its multi-project management capabilities, which Ilijaš highlights as essential for companies managing a large number of varied projects. "The key to good organization is to distribute the management load across as many people as possible," he says.

Urška Dolinar, Co-founder and Director at Iskriva Institute, shared her experience: “The 4PM app enables us to efficiently track staff costs and the time project teams spend on specific tasks. Its features for logging hours, managing travel orders, and handling multiple project timelines simultaneously greatly simplify our work review and administration.

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and solutions related to project management, drawing on Arctur’s real-world experiences and the evolution of 4PM. Ilijaš’s insights serve as a valuable guide for companies looking to grow sustainably, highlighting the importance of structured processes, flexible management approaches, and the empowerment of team members.

This feature in SBC Magazine not only underscores the importance of effective project management but also showcases Arctur’s innovative solutions, positioning the company as a leader in this critical aspect of business growth.

Arctur consistently pursues new solutions and adapts to emerging principles and processes in project management and other fields, positioning itself as a trailblazer in innovation to foster significant global progress.