Global Investment Management Company – Delivery Assurance & Change Management Services

Background

The client, a leading independent global asset management firm, was in the process of delivering a finance solution replacement program as part of a wider business transformation program. Their vision was to establish a single global business operation, wherever possible using standard ERP enabled processes. Although the finance replacement program was already in process, the CIO wanted to retain an independent 3rd party to properly assess progress & quality of deliverables, and to validate key working assumptions, design principles & the governance approach to be used to deliver a step-change for the business. The program was seeking to replace a number of legacy systems with applications including SAP ERP and was nearing the end of the Design & Blueprint stage of the program. Searchlight was introduced by Gartner to the client initially to perform a ‘Health Check’, and then subsequently for ‘Delivery Assurance’ and ‘Change Management’ services.

The Challenge

The program was initially set up without an independent risk management function,
Although the program team had started to form, the organisation structure was not considered optimal
A concern had been raised that the delivery approach and governance needed to be validated as it was considered not to be sufficiently robust
Validation of the quality of the deliverables, progress to plan & commercial implications required an independent review by an experienced SAP/ERP Delivery Assurance organisation

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Searchlight Role

Searchlight conducted an initial review of the program in terms of program governance, software delivery life cycle (adherence to SAP’s ASAP), technical landscape & overall solution architecture, change management work stream, and progress to delivering a Blueprint of appropriate quality
Searchlight reviewed team structures, taking input from key team members and sponsors
Searchlight reviewed deliverables & program management processes
Searchlight assessed commercial contracts & expectations by the supplier & Henderson
Following the Health Check , Searchlight made a series of recommendations, the majority being implemented

Value and Benefit Delivered

Recommendations to amend formal governance structures, change a number of team roles & work to close out design issues and complete a number of deliverables prior to progressing past the Blueprint Phase
Commercial contracts were reviewed & established so that both the supplier & client were clear on expectations
A change management work stream was established, supported by Searchlight
On-going delivery assurance was provided by Searchlight to support implementation of the recommendations and design ‘assurance’ into the overall program delivery

“We did not have experience of running a major SAP-based transformation program. When the program began to go off the rails, we sought independent experience to review our situation and help us get back on track. Searchlight were recommended to us, and we haven’t looked back. Our program is ongoing, but with Searchlight providing ongoing assurance, we are confident of a successful outcome. I would have no hesitation in recommending Searchlight.
CIO, Global Investment Management Company

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More Information

Searchlight are experts at aligning business and IT strategy, shaping business transformation programmes and helping our clients build business and IT capability throughout the transformation journey. Contact us today to find out how our independent advice could help you grow, develop new capabilities and future-proof your organisation.