Texas DPS–Enterprise Architecture Deployment

Overview

In a pivotal engagement with Texas DPS (Department of Public Safety), our consultancy was tasked with an ambitious mandate: to architect a novel approach for Enterprise Architecture (EA). The objective was twofold — to not only craft a cutting-edge methodology for EA but also to train and mentor the practitioners who would be championing this new direction.

Areas of Strategic Focus

  • Enterprise Architecture Methodology: The heart of our engagement revolved around developing a fresh, future-focused approach to Enterprise Architecture. Our intent was to craft a methodology that was both innovative and intuitive, setting Texas DPS on a trajectory of streamlined operations and enhanced IT alignment.

  • Training & Mentorship: Recognizing the vital role of the practitioners in executing this new EA vision, our mandate extended to providing comprehensive training. Beyond imparting knowledge, our focus was on mentoring these professionals, ensuring they were adeptly equipped to navigate the intricacies of the new EA approach.

Challenge

Reimagining Enterprise Architecture for an entity as significant as Texas DPS presented its unique set of challenges. Beyond the technical intricacies, the task was to ensure that the new methodology resonated with the practitioners, and they were equipped to bring it to fruition.

Strategic Approach

Our approach blended technical expertise with a deep understanding of organizational dynamics. By meticulously crafting a new EA methodology and then ensuring that the practitioners were not just trained but also mentored, we aimed to ensure the seamless integration and execution of the new approach within Texas DPS.

Impact & Outcome

The outcome of our collaboration with Texas DPS was the successful establishment of a new EA Practice. The new methodology, combined with the empowered practitioners, set the stage for Texas DPS to leverage Enterprise Architecture in ways that drive operational excellence and strategic alignment.

Liberty Mutual Insurance–Workflow Management Tool

Overview

In a strategic alliance with Liberty Mutual Insurance, our consultancy undertook the mission of implementing novel workflows in their Workflow Management tool. The vision was clear: to automate and streamline a plethora of backoffice tasks, driving operational efficiency and enhancing task execution capabilities.

Areas of Strategic Focus

  • Project Management: A project of this magnitude necessitated rigorous project management to ensure milestones were achieved, resources optimally utilized, and the end goal realized within the stipulated timeframe.

  • Process Engineering: Central to our engagement was the design and implementation of refined workflows. This involved a meticulous analysis of existing processes, followed by crafting optimized pathways to bolster the capabilities of the Workflow Management tool.

  • Performance Management: Post-implementation, our focus shifted to measuring and managing the performance of the new workflows. This ensured that the desired efficiencies were being achieved and provided insights for any potential refinements.

Challenge

For a major insurer like Liberty Mutual Insurance, backoffice tasks play a pivotal role in day-to-day operations. The challenge lay in not just automating these tasks, but ensuring the newly instituted workflows were robust, efficient, and adaptable to the ever-evolving needs of the insurance industry.

Strategic Approach

Our methodology combined adept project management with process engineering prowess. By thoroughly understanding Liberty Mutual’s backoffice operations, we were poised to design workflows that not only automated tasks but did so in a manner that elevated operational efficiency.

Impact & Outcome

The collaboration’s results were palpably transformative for Liberty Mutual Insurance. With the new workflows in place, the subrogation teams experienced notable improvements in consistency and capacity, underscoring the strategic value and effectiveness of the newly instituted Workflow Management tool.

Clark County Nevada–Enterprise Architecture

Overview

In an integral collaboration with Clark County Nevada, our consultancy was given the mandate of developing an application rationalization plan for the county’s government agencies. The mission was vast and vital: to methodically document and evaluate all systems, then determine their future pathways based on strategies to Maintain, Enhance, or Retire.

Areas of Strategic Focus

  • Enterprise Architecture: Central to our engagement was the disciplined study and understanding of the broader Enterprise Architecture. This provided the necessary context and structure for our subsequent evaluations and recommendations.

  • Application Assessment & Rationalization: Our core task involved an exhaustive documentation and assessment of all operational systems within the county’s government agencies. This enabled us to provide data-driven recommendations for each application’s future trajectory, be it maintenance, enhancement, or retirement.

Challenge

Transitioning IT staff from a decentralized model spread across District Offices into a centralized IT Division presented multifaceted challenges. From maintaining service continuity to ensuring staff adaptation and preserving institutional knowledge, the initiative required a well-orchestrated approach.

Clark County Nevada logo

Strategic Approach

Our methodology revolved around a comprehensive understanding of Clark County Nevada’s Enterprise Architecture. By meticulously documenting all systems, we were then able to assess their current state, utility, and potential future value. This grounded, structured approach allowed us to make informed recommendations.

Impact & Outcome

The fruits of our collaboration with Clark County Nevada were both clear and impactful. Our completed application rationalization plan recommended the retirement of 28% of the current applications. This stands as a testament to the depth of our assessment and the strategic value our consultancy brought to the table.

AmeriPro Mortgage–Loan Origination System (LOS) Migration

Overview

In a critical engagement with AmeriPro Mortgage, our consultancy was at the forefront of overseeing an upgrade of their Loan Origination System (LOS). Our leadership spanned program management, project management, and change management domains. Recognizing the intricacies and significance of mortgage operations, our primary goal was to ensure a seamless and compliant system migration.

Areas of Strategic Focus

  • Project Management: Central to our mandate was the adept management of the entire LOS upgrade project, ensuring it remained on schedule, within scope, and achieved the desired outcomes.

  • As-Is / To-Be Process Mapping: A foundational step in our approach was to thoroughly map out the existing processes within the LOS and subsequently delineate the envisioned future state post-migration. This ensured clarity and guided our migration strategy.

  • ADKAR Change Management: Acknowledging the complexities inherent in any system migration, we employed the ADKAR Change Management methodology. This ensured that not only were the technical aspects of the migration addressed but also the human elements, fostering acceptance and smooth adaptation to the new LOS environment.

Challenge

System migrations, especially for pivotal systems like the LOS in the mortgage industry, can be fraught with challenges. From data integrity to process continuity, and user adaptation, the task was to ensure that AmeriPro Mortgage experienced a disruption-free and value-driven migration.

Strategic Approach

Our methodology was comprehensive. By meticulously charting out both the current and desired states of the LOS, we crafted a blueprint for the migration. Coupled with robust project management and the strategic application of the ADKAR Change Management model, we ensured a holistic approach to the migration.

Impact & Outcome

The fruits of our collaboration with AmeriPro Mortgage were clearly manifested in the successful completion of the LOS migration. Moreover, AmeriPro Mortgage is now compliant with industry standards, underscoring the efficacy of the migration and our engagement’s value.

Trinity University– IT Transformation

Overview

In a dedicated engagement with Trinity University, our consultancy embarked on a significant IT Transformation project. Our initial evaluation, grounded in the ITIL framework maturity assessment, revealed Trinity’s IT system required heightened maturity levels, especially in anticipation of the Workday platform’s introduction. Recognizing the potential risks and challenges that could arise during the implementation phase without these necessary adjustments, we set forth on a comprehensive transformation journey.

Areas of Strategic Focus

  • ITIL Framework Assessment: Our primary objective was to evaluate Trinity’s IT system using the ITIL framework, identifying areas of potential improvement and ensuring a robust foundation for future technology integrations.

  • Workday Platform Integration: With the intent to introduce the Workday platform, it was imperative to ensure the IT system’s maturity and readiness to seamlessly accommodate and benefit from this integration.

  • IT Transformation & Reorganization: Beyond assessments and platform considerations, our focus was to holistically transform and reorganize Trinity’s IT, enhancing its operational efficiency and adaptability.

  • Leadership & Management: Recognizing the magnitude of such a transformation, we provided dedicated leadership within Trinity’s IT organization, guiding and managing the change process.

Challenge

Trinity University’s IT landscape, while robust, revealed gaps in maturity that could jeopardize the successful integration of the Workday platform. The challenge lay in not just identifying these gaps, but implementing strategic changes to ensure a seamless transition and enhanced overall IT functionality.

Strategic Approach

Our methodology encompassed a multi-faceted approach. Beginning with an in-depth ITIL framework assessment, we pinpointed areas necessitating improvement. This laid the groundwork for a total IT transformation and reorganization. Furthermore, we undertook a series of projects aimed at refining practice areas, including security, asset management, project management, data, reporting, and all encompassing ITIL process areas.

Impact & Outcome

Our collaboration with Trinity University bore tangible results. We successfully progressed Trinity’s IT system to ITIL 3 maturity, ensuring it was primed for the Workday platform’s integration. Furthermore, the broad spectrum of improvements across various IT practice areas underscores our commitment to holistic IT enhancement and the value of our partnership with Trinity University.

Argo–One Finance

Overview

In our esteemed partnership with Argo, our consultancy took the helm of the sophisticated “One Finance” initiative. Our directive: facilitate a seamless consolidation of the finance operations of six recently acquired entities into a singular, cloud-based finance system.

Areas of Improvement

      • Process Engineering: In the wake of the acquisitions, it became paramount to integrate and streamline multiple finance systems into a singular, cloud-based platform, promoting operational uniformity and efficiency.

      • Change Management: To ensure the successful transition and adoption of this significant shift, a robust approach to navigating organizational change was crucial.

      • Portfolio/ Program/ Project Planning & Execution: Orchestrating such a vast initiative demanded precise planning and execution at various levels, ensuring every phase transitioned smoothly from blueprint to reality.

Challenge

The task of bringing six diverse financial units under a singular operational framework was laden with intricate challenges. Beyond technological aspects, the effort required aligning disparate work cultures, deeply ingrained methodologies, and varied operational practices into a synergized entity.

Solution

Employing a combination of Process Engineering for system and workflow optimization, Change Management for smooth organizational transition, and precise Portfolio/ Program/ Project Planning & Execution methodologies, we charted a strategic path for this endeavor. Every transition phase, from system migration to team integration, was implemented with exacting detail, ensuring business continuity and efficiency.

Outcome

Guided by our expert consultancy, the “One Finance” initiative achieved a paradigm shift for Argo. The once-separated entities now operate harmoniously as a consolidated finance hub, leveraging a unified system and streamlined best practices.

Argo–Global IT Restructuring

Overview

Kaeppel drove the Global IT Restructuring initiative, marking a major IT reorganization endeavor for the company. Central to our mission was overseeing the outsourcing of IT support and help desk functions to two distinct offshore vendors.

Areas of Improvement

    • IT Organization Structure: Argo was poised for a reshaping of its IT infrastructure and operations. Outsourcing certain functions was identified as a strategy to optimize efficiency and resources.

    • Performance Management: With a significant change on the horizon, it was paramount to manage and measure the performance of the evolving IT department.

    • Change Management: The outsourcing strategy required rigorous change management to ensure a seamless transition without disrupting existing operations.

Challenge

IT restructuring, especially when it involves outsourcing, requires meticulous planning and careful execution to prevent disruptions and maintain service quality. Managing the transition, ensuring uninterrupted service, and seamlessly integrating two offshore vendors into Argo’s operational fabric posed intricate challenges.

Solution

Leveraging tools and strategies such as Project Management, Organizational Design, Performance Management, and ADKAR Change Management, we orchestrated a comprehensive IT transformation. Each phase was meticulously planned, ensuring that both offshore vendors were seamlessly integrated and the outsourced functions aligned perfectly with Argo’s IT objectives.

Outcome

The Global IT Restructuring initiative culminated in a complete IT transformation for Argo. The successful outsourcing strategy not only optimized resources but also bolstered the efficiency and responsiveness of Argo’s IT functions.