Turning a $6.2M Growth Initiative into a Structured, Actionable Plan
The Challenge
At Dell, I supported a high-visibility initiative backed by $6.2 million in seed funding. The opportunity was significant, but the conditions were strict. We had to present a detailed, approved plan for how the funds would be used within the first quarter and complete all hiring by the end of Q2. Missing either milestone meant losing the budget entirely.
The work involved transferring existing team members, hiring 15 new roles, and onboarding vendors to fill key skill gaps. However, responsibilities were unclear, priorities kept shifting, and teams were moving without a shared structure. Without a clear plan and alignment across departments, the funding and the initiative’s success were both at risk.
What I Did
I started by gathering the financial details for internal transfers, new hires, contractors, and vendor support. Using Microsoft Excel, I built a detailed spending plan that aligned hiring timelines with project goals. I also created a burndown chart to show how funds were being allocated over time and used it to guide discussions with stakeholders.
To keep the initiative on track, I established a simple structure to monitor budget performance and tied spending directly to key milestones. I worked closely with HR, finance, and team leadership to coordinate hiring and ensure resources were aligned where they were needed most.
Each week, I met with senior leadership and our financial controller to review progress, make adjustments, and confirm priorities. By tracking spending in real time and maintaining open communication, we stayed within budget, hit every milestone, and protected the full $6.2 million in funding.
The Outcome
We secured the full $6.2 million in seed funding and retained it year after year by meeting all planning and hiring deadlines on time. The team successfully filled 15 new roles, transitioned internal staff, and brought on vendors without disruption or cost overruns.
The structure I built gave leadership ongoing clarity and confidence, even as priorities evolved. It allowed the organization to grow responsibly, control spending, and maintain momentum on a major strategic initiative.