Argyle won promotion from the old third division under Sturrock in 2002 and finished top of the third tier of English football in 2004 despite the manager leaving to join Southampton towards the end of the campaign.
But after returning to the Devon club for a second bite of the cherry, Sturrock has set his sights on transforming them into a top-flight club.
"I'm taking over a team that's fourth in the Championship and flying," he said.
"I've had a wee taste, I've pitted my wits against the top men. I think everybody has that ambition in them.
"We're going to have a go. I can't promise anything but everybody on the staff will be working towards that.
"In a very strange league - everybody seems to beat everybody else. If we can make home a real fortress and continue the way the team is playing away from home, who knows what we can achieve?"
Sturrock watched from the directors' box as Argyle lost out to West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday night, but could see plenty of positives in the team's performance.
"I have seen a lot of Championship football this season and if West Bromwich Albion keep playing like that they are going to get promoted, especially with the size of the squad they have got," he said.
"We had thoughtful words at half-time and what pleased me most was the players took it on board and acted on what had been said. We got our foot in and we also got our goal."