Delivered on September 14, 2026
"Action over advice"—What is a "practical PMO" that advances data utilization? : Independent from KDDI at age 48
Speakers:
Daisuke Shimizu, President and CEO, Image Engineering Laboratory, Inc.
Affiliation and position information is as of the time of distribution
Our guest this time is Daisuke Shimizu, President and CEO of Image Engineering Laboratory, Inc. He was involved in new business development utilizing location data at KDDI, and became independent at the age of 48 during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the motto "Action over advice," he supports large corporations in data utilization and new business development as a practical PMO. What exactly does a PMO do? Why is there a shortage of PM personnel in new business development at large corporations? We delve into the realities of PM, such as inter-departmental coordination and communication with stakeholders, which are difficult to solve with AI alone. Furthermore, we asked him about the application of AI to project management, the challenges of governance, and the future outlook for data utilization support.
＝＝＝＝
At 48, He Left KDDI to Become Independent: The Journey of Image Engineering Laboratory, Under the Pledge of "Action Over Advice"
Daisuke Shimizu, Representative Director of Image Engineering Laboratory, Inc., became independent at the age of 48 in March 2021, after serving as the head of new businesses utilizing location information data within the KDDI Group.
He inherited the corporate entity founded in 1990 and began providing practical support to large corporations promoting data utilization and new businesses. Behind his independence were not only family circumstances, but also a strong sense of crisis he felt while providing location information data to local governments and other organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. He keenly felt the current situation where data is misunderstood or neglected, and his starting point was the desire to utilize companies' "treasure trove of data" for economic activity. The company's slogan is "Action Over Advice," and it provides hands-on implementation support that goes beyond mere advising.
Definition and Strengths of a "Fully Practical PMO" for Leading New Businesses to Success in Large Corporations
When large corporations launch new businesses, coordination with a wide range of departments, including product development, operations, technology, public relations, and legal affairs, is necessary. This is where a "practical PMO" comes in.
General strategy consultants often prioritize the interests of specific client departments and avoid getting involved in the messy inter-departmental coordination and negotiations. In contrast, Mr. Shimizu has the same authority as an employee of the client company, immersing himself in the organization and directly handling negotiations with other departments. He handles everything from progress management and WBS creation to business plans, requirements definitions, and proposals for management approval. By combining the deliverable creation capabilities of a consultant with on-the-ground experience in a business company, he guides projects that tend to stall to completion.
Why Are PM Talent Shortaged in Large Corporations?: Organizational Structure and Educational Barriers
For many years, the business world has been saying that there is a shortage of PMs, but this is due to organizational challenges unique to large corporations.
Those in charge of new business development often juggle it with existing duties, resulting in a severe lack of resources and expertise to manage projects exclusively. Freelance PMOs with consulting backgrounds, while capable of progress management, lack practical experience, making it difficult for them to proactively coordinate with other departments. The problem of accumulated knowledge being dispersed to other departments due to personnel changes, and mismatches in training, make it difficult to cultivate practical project managers who can function effectively in the field.
The "Governance Barrier" Hindering AI Utilization and the Reality of Project Management
While the use of generative AI is advancing, significant obstacles exist to the use of AI in project management within large corporations.
In large corporations, departmental governance and security management are strict, making it difficult for AI tools to access data across various departments. Furthermore, the biggest obstacle to project progress is the "stakeholder preferences and personality quirks," and AI cannot grasp the nuances of human relationships. While process management can be made more efficient with AI, flexible communication and experience from humans are essential to resolve internal coordination bottlenecks.
The Driving Force for New Businesses Created by Gritty Internal Coordination and Practical Implementation
The essence of project management lies not in giving instructions, but in the "gritty practical work" of getting your hands dirty and completing tasks yourself.
When a press release cannot be issued due to a lack of PR resources, the PM is required to take initiative, such as writing the draft themselves or directly negotiating with the legal department to create terms of service and contracts. Only with the experience gained from navigating tough situations in departments directly under executives of large corporations and the determination to handle the gritty practical work can it be possible to move diverse stakeholders.
The Future Prospects of Image Engineering Institute: Energizing Society Through Data Utilization
The Image Engineering Institute started with one person, but going forward, we plan to expand our business through organization and the building of partnerships.
To solve the challenges of data utilization and launching new businesses, we plan to expand by welcoming like-minded partners into the company. We will further strengthen our practical support system by inheriting know-how such as communication and understanding corporate culture. We aim to correctly return the vast amount of corporate data, such as location information data, to society and contribute to economic activity and regional revitalization.
Summary
Daisuke Shimizu of Image Engineering Laboratory, Inc.'s "practical PMO" approach is a powerful solution for breaking down the barriers that large corporations face in launching new businesses and utilizing data. True to his slogan, "Execution over advice," his approach goes beyond mere strategy presentation; he personally undertakes complex internal coordination with other departments and even the nitty-gritty tasks of document creation, leading many projects to success.
Large corporations face real-world challenges such as the loss of knowledge due to regular personnel transfers, a lack of practical experience among consultants, and limitations in AI utilization due to strict governance. The value of having experienced external talent integrating internally and working alongside them is becoming increasingly important. With the ambition to revitalize the Japanese economy by utilizing untapped data, Shimizu's efforts will undoubtedly continue to support innovation in many companies.