[4/4] Our Approach to Project Management: Results and Outlook of Project Management DX

Over the past three articles, we have described our approach to project management.

• Part 1: Why we focus on efficiency (our philosophy and view of the problem)

• Part 2: Guidelines and internal training (a systematized methodology)

• Part 3: Focusing on what matters through thorough automation (concrete DX initiatives)

In this final installment, we describe the results of this initiative, our outlook for the future, and the value it delivers to our clients.

Three Pillars

Our approach to project management rests on three pillars.

1. Solid Project Management

We cut no corners: we carry out the process, progress tracking and reporting properly.

• Following the principles of agile development and Scrum

• Placing importance on psychological safety

• Alignment with the company's purpose, mission and vision

2. Systematization and Training

We have drawn up comprehensive guidelines (seven documents) and created opportunities for learning within the company.

• Covering purpose, methods and mindset

• Available in both Japanese and English

• Reading guides for each role

• Fostering a culture of continuous improvement

3. Thorough Automation

Through the digital transformation (DX) of project management, we have automated much of the work.

• Two-way sync between GitHub and Google Sheets

• Automatic title generation and translation

• Automatic dependency management and automatic updates of blocked status

• Fully automated reporting

The purpose of all of this is to let the whole team spend its time on what really matters: increasing the value of the product.

Results of the Trial Run

We started a trial run of this new project management system in October 2025.

We are still in the trial phase and are still collecting accurate quantitative data, but the following results are already visible.

1. Dramatically More Efficient Task Creation

Before:

• About 30 seconds to create one task

• Clicking many buttons

• Moving through many screens

• Filling in many fields individually

Now:

• A task can be created in a few seconds

• Simple operations in a spreadsheet

• Bulk processing with copy and paste

Efficiency result: about 10 times faster

2. A Dramatic Reduction in Mental Burden

More important than the time saved is the reduced mental burden.

Task management used to be "the work nobody wants to do," because it was too tedious, too cumbersome and too time-consuming.

Now it has become work people can do without a second thought.

As a result of this change:

• Task management is no longer put off

• Task updates no longer stall

• Progress is always transparent

3. Bulk Operations Are Now Possible

Bulk operations that were difficult in GitHub are now easy in a spreadsheet:

• Setting assignees in bulk

• Setting sprints in bulk

• Copying and editing tasks in bulk

• Checking and updating multiple tasks at once

4. Better Overview of Information

The whole project can now be seen at a glance in a spreadsheet. As a result:

• Grasping the big picture of the project is easier

• Adjusting task priorities is simple

• Communication with product owners and external stakeholders runs smoothly

5. Reporting Fully Automated

Creating reports by hand has disappeared completely, and that time can now be used for other things.

An Environment Where Members Can Focus on What Matters

The DX of project management has created an environment where team members can focus on what really matters.

No Time Lost to Project Management and Reporting

Members used to spend a lot of time on the following:

• Creating and updating tasks

• Creating progress reports

• Updating statuses by hand

• Tracking dependencies by hand

Automation has greatly reduced this time.

Time to Increase the Value of the Product

Members can now use the time saved for the following:

• Listening to users: understanding how users actually use the product

• Responding to requests and frustrations: improving the product based on user feedback

• Thinking about adding value: considering and discussing how to make the product better

• Raising quality: spending time on code reviews, testing and refactoring

This is exactly what we were aiming for.

We are not a management company. We are a product co-creation partner.

Project management is not the goal but a means. What really matters is that the product delivers its value.

The Value We Deliver to Clients

Our approach to project management delivers the following value to our clients.

1. Stable Project Progress

• Solid project management keeps schedules on track

• Finding issues early means problems can be dealt with while they are still small

• Clear milestones make project progress visible

2. Transparent Progress Sharing

• Automated reports mean the latest progress can always be checked

• Data-based reporting provides reliable information

• Information is provided in both Japanese and English

3. Data-Driven Collaboration

• Highly transparent information enables decisions at the right time

• Real-time visibility of progress allows quick adjustments

• Quantitative reporting makes it easy to explain things to stakeholders

4. Balancing Quality, Productivity and Schedule Management

• Efficient project management improves cost performance

• Focusing on what matters improves product quality

• Psychological safety maximizes team performance

5. Time Spent on What Really Matters

Most important of all, the whole team can spend its time increasing the value of the client's product.

• More time to respond to users' voices

• Time to spend on discussions about improving the product

• Room for trial and error to build a better product

This is our value as a product co-creation partner.

Outlook

We are currently in the trial phase, and accurate quantitative data is still being collected.

Going forward, we will work on the following:

1. Continuous Data Collection and Publication

• Collecting data on the efficiency of project management

• Measuring the impact on team productivity and product quality

• Publishing the results transparently

2. Further Improvement

• Collecting feedback from members

• Updating the guidelines continuously

• Expanding the scope of automation further

3. Transparency and Integrity

• Being honest that we are in the trial phase

• Sharing both results and challenges without hiding anything

• Valuing our relationship of trust with clients

4. As a Product Co-Creation Partner

As a product co-creation partner, we will keep developing impactful products together with our clients.

To that end, we will:

• Run project management productively

• Maintain a structure that lets us spend time on what matters

• Keep improving and pursue better ways of working

Summary

This has been our approach to project management, told over four articles. The message common to all of it is that we are not a management company but a product co-creation partner.

That is exactly why we do project management properly. We cut no corners and work with reliable quality. We put effort into systematization and training, prevent knowledge from being tied to individuals, and keep improving. And we automate thoroughly, so that efficiency lets us spend our time on what really matters.

As a result, we can deliver stable project progress, transparent progress sharing, data-driven collaboration, and a balance of quality, productivity and schedule management.

And most important of all, the whole team can focus on increasing the value of the product.