Pre-planning season, usually falling in Q3, is when forward-thinking organizations begin gathering the data and consumer feedback that will guide next year’s strategies. It’s not the strategic planning phase itself, but rather the critical preparation period beforehand – when gaps are identified, assumptions are challenged, and new research needs emerge quickly.

But here’s the problem: this window is narrow. Timelines tighten, decision-makers expect answers fast, and research requests pile up before internal teams even have time to catch their breath. That’s why research execution speed is no longer a nice-to-have – it's essential for business impact.

Limited Time to Gather Actionable Insights

Insights leaders often face rapid-fire questions from stakeholders: What do consumers want now? How have behaviors shifted? Where are we losing momentum? To answer these, fast-turn research studies have to be scoped, launched, and analyzed – often within weeks. And without sufficient project execution help, this kind of speed can overwhelm internal teams.

Internal Capacity Is Already Stretched

By the time Q3 hits, most insights teams are already at full bandwidth. Strategic planning consumes attention. Team capacity is spoken for. Adding more work without operational support increases the risk of dropped balls, mismanaged studies, or delays that compromise the value of the insights.

Seasonal Pressure Highlights the Need for Scalable Execution

Here’s where the need truly materializes. Projects need to get off the ground quickly. Vendors must be onboarded and scoped clearly. Timelines must be tracked tightly and deliverables routed efficiently. Without scaling research execution, insights teams risk losing their strategic seat as they get bogged down in logistics.

• Speed is critical – turnaround times shrink during pre-planning season
• Volume increases – with more cross-functional teams requesting insights
• Focus must remain on strategy – not operational tasks

In short: the pre-planning season demands smart execution support to keep up. And that’s why many leading teams are turning to fractional Project Directors to manage the heavy operational lift, keeping strategic brains free to focus on planning ahead.

A fractional Project Director is an experienced market research professional who steps in temporarily to lead and manage the execution of insights projects. Unlike fully outsourced agencies or freelance generalists, they act as a seamless extension of your internal team – providing hands-on support without long onboarding times or permanent headcount increases.

Think of them as short-term problem solvers who specialize in getting consumer research up and running, even in fast-moving, capacity-strapped environments. Whether you’re launching a multi-market quant study, coordinating with global vendors, or juggling multiple timelines, their job is to keep your initiatives moving smoothly and efficiently.

Key Areas of Support from a Fractional Project Director

When plugged into your workflow, a fractional Project Director delivers value in several core ways:

• Project Setup & Vendor Management – They onboard research vendors, define scopes, and act as the primary point of contact to streamline communication.
• Timeline Tracking – They monitor deliverables, deadlines, and milestones so nothing falls through the cracks – even across multiple projects.
• Operational Bottleneck Removal – From documentation to approvals, they handle back-end logistics that slow down insights delivery.
• Cross-Functional Coordination – They liaise between internal stakeholders and external partners, reducing misalignment and freeing up your team’s bandwidth.

For example, consider a fictional CPG company preparing for next year’s portfolio strategy. Their insights team wants three packaging tests, a concept screen, and a qual consumer immersion – all in eight weeks. Their internal lead is tied up in planning conversations with brand and finance. A fractional Project Director steps in, builds a project schedule, assigns vendors, and runs daily check-ins with suppliers, while the insights manager focuses on building the decision framework. It all moves forward on time – without adding stress to lean internal teams.

Why Companies Choose On Demand Talent Over Freelancers or Agencies

Unlike traditional project freelancers or larger agencies, SIVO’s On Demand Talent offers professionals with deep industry experience who are ready to start contributing within days. There’s no need to train up juniors or go through layers of agency handoffs. You get:

• Speed – Talent can often be matched in days, not months
• Expertise – Seasoned insights professionals with proven execution experience
• Flexibility – Support as long as you need it, no long-term contracts
• Seamless Fit – Embedded support that understands how internal teams operate

Especially during pre-planning season, this kind of flexible, expert-level support can be the difference between missed deadlines and insights delivered on time. When you need to scale consumer research execution quickly, a fractional Project Director is one of the most effective – and least disruptive – ways to make it happen.

Benefits of Using On Demand Talent vs. Freelancers or Full-Time Hires

When deadlines are tight and planning season is around the corner, you need insights team support that’s instantly reliable and ready to drive outcomes. While it may be tempting to turn to freelancers or attempt to bring on full-time hires, On Demand Talent offers a smarter, faster, and more effective path forward. Here’s why experienced professionals like SIVO’s fractional Project Directors stand out.

1. Instant Readiness, No Onboarding Lag

Freelancers can vary in experience, and full-time hires often require extensive ramp-up time. On Demand Talent, by contrast, consists of seasoned insights experts who have already led complex research programs. They can quickly step into your team’s workflow, manage vendors, and take charge of project execution without skipping a beat. No training needed.

2. High-Caliber Talent Without the Long-Term Commitment

Hiring a full-time project director means a permanent role for what might be a temporary need. Freelancers may lack the structure or expertise to own complex deliverables, especially at scale. With On Demand Talent, you get high-level, project-ready talent without long-term contracts – ideal for tackling urgent, seasonal workloads like pre-planning market research.

3. Focused on Execution, Not Just Task Completion

Freelancers often work on a task-by-task basis. On Demand Talent professionals are different – they think strategically about the full scope of the engagement. A fractional project director from the SIVO network doesn't just manage timelines – they optimize project flow, ensure quality standards, and proactively surface risks before they derail progress.

4. More Reliable Than the Gig Economy

Unlike some freelancers juggling multiple clients or side gigs, On Demand Talent professionals are fully dedicated during their engagement. That means clearer communication, consistent quality, and a true sense of partnership with your core insights team.

• Freelancers may lack institutional knowledge – On Demand Talent bridges that gap with industry experience.
• Full-time hiring takes months – On Demand Talent can be matched in days or weeks.
• Contract consultants can come at a high cost – On Demand Talent is more efficient and scalable by design.

Ultimately, On Demand Talent provides the flexibility of freelancing with the reliability and depth of a full-time resource – making it the ideal solution for fast-paced pre-planning seasons when market research support is critical.

Key Situations When a Fractional Project Director Adds Immediate Value

Every insights team encounters moments when workload surges and internal bandwidth stretches thin. Whether you're preparing for strategic annual planning or managing a sudden influx of research projects, a fractional project director can step in exactly when – and where – they’re needed most.

1. Pre-Planning Crunch Time

In Q3, as insights teams begin gathering the data needed for Q4 planning sessions, speed is everything. A temporary project director for market research can get initiatives off the ground right away – aligning vendors, building timelines, and running flawless execution in parallel to your strategic planning workstreams.

2. Team Gaps from Turnover or Leave

Unexpected staffing gaps shouldn’t derail your project timelines. Whether due to sabbaticals, leaves, or resignations, fractional insights experts offer seamless bridge support. They keep research programs running while your team recruits or adjusts internally – no downtime required.

3. Complex or Multinational Studies

When managing global or multi-market projects, the volume and complexity of coordinating vendors, legal approvals, local timelines, and cultural nuances quickly grows. A skilled fractional Project Director can remove these operational bottlenecks, ensuring projects stay on track across diverse markets.

4. Sudden Workload Spikes

Seasonality, new product developments, or executive requests can all lead to rapid research demand. On Demand Talent equips your team to scale research execution fast – without having to redistribute workload internally or sacrifice quality due to time constraints.

5. In-House Focus on High-Value Strategy

Your full-time insights team should be spending more time shaping the strategy, not chasing timelines. A fractional Project Director takes the burden of day-to-day coordination off their plate so they can invest attention where it matters most – analysis, storytelling, and influencing business decisions.

In each of these cases, bringing in fractional support means your research doesn't stall – it accelerates. And it happens without complicated hiring processes, fixed overhead, or compromises in quality. You get expert project execution help exactly when needed, for as long as needed.

How to Quickly Onboard Support with SIVO’s On Demand Talent

Fast insights require fast action – and SIVO makes it easy to bring in high-impact help with minimal lift for your internal team. If you need to scale consumer research or get temporary insights help during peak planning windows, here’s how SIVO’s On Demand Talent process works.

Step 1: Tell Us What You Need

We start with a conversation focused on your business objectives, team structure, and any current capacity challenges. Whether you’re short on bandwidth, managing a complex study, or need an extra set of hands on a tight deadline – we’ll align on the right scope from the start.

Step 2: We Match You with the Right Expert

Our network of seasoned insights professionals spans all major industries, methodologies, and roles – including experienced fractional Project Directors. You’ll be matched with someone who fits your specific project needs and company culture. No endless resume reviews required.

Step 3: Start Fast – Often Within Days

Once matched, your On Demand Talent professional can typically begin working within days – not months. There’s no lengthy onboarding, hours of training, or complicated integrations. These experts are built for plug-and-play insights support. They’re ready to lead research execution from day one.

Step 4: Collaborate Seamlessly

Throughout your engagement, your On Demand Talent specialist becomes an extension of your team – managing research timelines, liaising with agencies and vendors, tracking deliverables, and flagging risks proactively. They remove friction, so insights flow to your team and key decision-makers faster.

From the moment you reach out to the moment projects get underway, the process is easy, collaborative, and built around accelerating your path to insight. Need help scoping? We’re here for that too. Flexibility and partnership are at the heart of the SIVO approach.

• Ready in days, not weeks
• Tailored matches for your needs
• Flexible engagement timelines
• Hands-on execution support from day one

With SIVO’s On Demand Talent, scaling research execution fast is not just possible – it’s simple and stress-free. Let us help you keep your timelines strong and your strategic focus clear.