E-Commerce Project Management

E-Commerce Projects Successfully Delivered

Store relaunch, system migration, or ERP implementation – complex e-commerce projects demand experienced leadership. As an external project manager, I bring structure, hands-on expertise, and the unbiased perspective that only an outsider can provide.

E-Commerce Project Management - Project Control
In Numbers

Experience That Saves Projects

200 +

Projects

successfully delivered

95 %

Success Rate

on time and budget

20 +

Years

project experience

from 4,000

Euro/month

plus VAT

Project Types

What Project Is Coming Up?

From platform migrations to ERP rollouts – I lead complex e-commerce initiatives involving multiple stakeholders and system integrations.

Store Relaunch

Your store needs a comprehensive overhaul – new design, new technology, new features. A relaunch goes far beyond a facelift: it impacts every aspect of your e-commerce operation.

  • Platform Change
  • Design Refresh
  • Feature Expansion
  • Data Migration

Platform Migration

Moving from one e-commerce platform to another. Whether it's Magento to Shopware, WooCommerce to Shopify, or any other combination – I ensure seamless migration without data loss or revenue disruption.

  • Data Migration
  • URL Handling
  • Parallel Operation

ERP Implementation

A new ERP system transforms every process in your business. From requirements gathering to vendor selection to go-live – I manage the project as your advocate.

  • Requirements Analysis
  • Vendor Selection
  • Implementation

System Integration

Store, ERP, PIM, CRM, fulfillment – your systems need to talk to each other. I coordinate the integration and make sure the connections actually work.

  • Interface Design
  • API Integration
  • Data Synchronization

E-Commerce Setup

Starting fresh in e-commerce or building a new sales channel from the ground up? From strategy to platform selection to launch – I guide you through the entire process.

  • Strategy Development
  • System Selection
  • Process Design
  • Launch Management
The Difference

Projects With and Without Project Management

E-commerce projects rarely fail because of technology. They fail because of poor communication, unclear ownership, and lack of focus.

Without Project Management

  • Finger-pointing between agency and internal teams
  • Endless delays and blown budgets
  • Communication chaos with too many cooks
  • Critical requirements falling through the cracks
  • Constant firefighting instead of steady progress

With Project Management

  • Clear roles, ownership, and decision-making authority
  • Realistic timelines with built-in buffers
  • Structured updates that keep everyone aligned
  • Requirements tracked from kickoff to sign-off
  • Proactive risk management that prevents fires
The Process

How I Manage Your Project

A structured approach from initial analysis to go-live – with clear milestones and ongoing communication at every step.

Schritt 01

Project Audit

I assess where things stand: goals, stakeholders, risks, timeline. For projects already in motion, I pinpoint what's broken and what needs to change.

Stakeholder Analysis Risk Identification Current State Assessment
Schritt 02

Project Planning

Together, we lock in scope, milestones, and ownership. I build a realistic project plan with contingency time built in for the inevitable surprises.

Scope Definition Milestone Planning Resource Planning
Schritt 03

Execution

I coordinate all parties, facilitate key discussions, track progress, and escalate issues when necessary. Regular status updates keep everyone aligned and accountable.

Stakeholder Coordination Progress Tracking Risk Monitoring
Schritt 04

Go-Live & Handover

I orchestrate the launch, manage the hypercare period, and ensure a smooth handover to your team – complete with documentation and lessons learned.

Launch Coordination Hypercare Phase Knowledge Transfer
External Project Management - Strategic Control
Why External?

Why Bring in an Outside Project Manager?

An external project manager brings more than experience – they bring the objectivity that internal teams simply can't have.

Internal project managers are often pulled into day-to-day operations, caught up in office politics, or too close to the details. An external project manager can dedicate 100% of their focus to your project – and tell you the hard truths without worrying about their next promotion.

Need someone who can also lead a team operationally? Interim Management might be the better fit.

  • Objective Perspective. No internal politics, no hidden agendas. I call it like I see it – not how people want it to be.
  • Battle-Tested Experience. I've been through dozens of similar projects and know exactly where things typically go wrong.
  • Undivided Focus. No distractions from day-to-day operations. Your project gets my complete attention.
  • Built-In Exit. When the project's done, I'm gone – no need to create a permanent role.

A good project manager is like a conductor: they don't make a sound themselves, but without them, the orchestra falls apart.

Werner Strauch E-Commerce Project Manager
Methodology

Methods and Success Factors

Agile, Waterfall, or Hybrid?

There's no one-size-fits-all methodology. The right approach depends on your project, team, and constraints. For store relaunches with a well-defined scope, classic waterfall often works best. With agile dev teams, I adapt to Scrum or Kanban. Often, a hybrid approach makes the most sense: fixed milestones and budget, with agile execution in sprints.

But here's the thing – the methodology matters less than consistency. Clear rituals, transparent communication, regular check-ins. I bring the discipline and tailor it to how your organization actually works.

The Three Success Factors

1. Clear Ownership: Who makes which decisions? Who delivers what? Who has final sign-off? Fuzzy accountability is the number one reason projects drag on. I establish a RACI matrix that everyone actually understands and follows.

2. Data Quality: For migrations and ERP implementations, your data quality will make or break you. Messy master data, incomplete product information, inconsistent customer records – these all blow up at go-live. I start the cleanup process early.

3. Communication: Projects fail because of misunderstandings, not technology. I set up clear communication channels: who updates whom, how often, and through what medium. Regular status updates keep everyone on the same page.

Typical Project Risks

After dozens of e-commerce projects, I've seen the same traps over and over: scope creep, unrealistic timelines, underestimated integration complexity, skipped testing phases, stakeholders who aren't looped in early enough. The difference an experienced project manager makes? Spotting these risks before they derail your timeline – and course-correcting while there's still time.

FAQ

Questions About Project Management

Still have questions? Contact me directly.

01

At what point does external project management make sense?

Once you have more than three parties involved (internal team, agency, software vendor, for example) or your project budget exceeds €50,000. For smaller initiatives, occasional Sparring or Implementation Support often does the trick. We'll figure out what's right for your situation in our initial call.

02

Do you handle technical implementation yourself?

No, I don't write code. My role is pure project management: coordinating agencies, developers, and internal teams, checking quality, and keeping things on schedule. Staying out of the technical weeds means I can remain objective and hold everyone accountable.

03

How much time do you typically dedicate per week?

It depends on where we are in the project. During intensive phases like kickoff and go-live, it might be full-time. During steady-state execution, typically 1-2 days per week. We agree on a monthly commitment with built-in flexibility to scale up or down as needed.

04

Can you step into a project that's already underway?

Absolutely – that's actually a common scenario. When projects go sideways, I come in, assess the situation, identify what's broken, and get things back on track. A project turnaround is often more effective (and cheaper) than starting over.

05

What does external project management cost?

Starting at €4,000 per month, depending on scope and how hands-on you need me to be. Full-time engagements or highly complex projects run higher. But compare that to the cost of delays and budget blowouts – professional project management pays for itself.

06

Do you work on-site or remotely?

Both. I'm happy to be on-site for kickoff workshops and critical decision points. Day-to-day coordination often works more efficiently remotely. Most clients find a hybrid model works best – we'll figure out the right balance for your project.

07

What tools do you use?

I adapt to your existing stack. Whether it's Jira, Asana, Monday, Notion, or good old Excel and PowerPoint – the tool matters less than using it consistently. If you don't have a project management tool in place yet, I can recommend what fits your needs.

08

How quickly can you start?

Usually within 2-4 weeks. For urgent situations or projects in crisis, I can often move faster. Let's discuss your timeline and my availability in our initial call.

Project in Good Hands

Let's spend 30 minutes talking through how I can get your e-commerce project across the finish line. No cost, no commitment.

Prefer to write first? contact@wernerstrauch.com