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.

Erie Insurance–Customer Data Strategy

Overview

In a collaborative endeavor with Erie Insurance, our consultancy was engaged with a pivotal mission: to devise a strategy that pivots from a traditionally Policy-centric architecture to a more modern, Customer-centric approach. Recognizing the evolving needs of the insurance landscape and the paramount importance of customer experience, our objective was to holistically re-envision Erie Insurance’s customer data strategy.

Areas of Strategic Focus

  • As-Is Assessments: Our initial endeavor was to comprehensively understand Erie Insurance’s existing policy-centric architecture. This foundational step was pivotal in mapping out the journey ahead.

  • To-Be Designs: Building on our initial assessments, our next step was to conceptualize the desired customer-centric model, outlining how the new architecture would appear and function.

  • Target-State Architecture: A crucial part of our strategic formulation was to design the future state of Erie Insurance’s IT and operational landscape, ensuring it was robust, scalable, and geared towards customer-centricity.

  • Multi-Generational Planning: Recognizing the magnitude of this transformation, we employed multi-generational planning techniques to phase the transformation, ensuring continuity of operations and gradual adaptation.

  • Stakeholder Analysis: To ensure the proposed changes were in alignment with all stakeholder needs and expectations, we conducted a meticulous stakeholder analysis, gathering insights and feedback to refine our strategy.

Challenge

Pivoting from a traditional policy-centric model to a customer-centric one is no small feat, especially for an established entity like Erie Insurance. The challenge lay in ensuring a seamless transition without disrupting ongoing operations while championing enhanced customer experiences.

Strategic Approach

Our methodology combined a mix of thorough assessments, visionary planning, and stakeholder engagement. By meticulously charting out the current state, envisioning the desired future, and integrating stakeholder feedback, we crafted a roadmap that was both visionary and actionable.

Impact & Outcome

Our strategic collaboration with Erie Insurance has culminated in the adoption of the proposed customer-centric data strategy. The implementation is currently in progress, marking the beginning of Erie Insurance’s journey towards enhanced customer-centricity and operational excellence.

J&M Premier–Design, Build, and Maintain Core Systems

Overview

In a strategic partnership with J&M Premier, our consultancy was tasked with a mission of paramount significance: to design, build, and maintain core operational systems. Our blueprint encompassed automating timekeeping, integrating payroll systems, crafting a comprehensive dispatch/field services solution, and a state-of-the-art project management system. Further, we transitioned traditional forms like safety reports and driver waybills into automated digital formats, aiming for increased efficiency and streamlined operations.

Areas of Strategic Focus

  • Automated Timekeeping: A foundational element of our project was the introduction of an automated timekeeping system, ensuring precise labor tracking and operational efficiency.

  • Payroll Integration: Recognizing the core importance of streamlined financial operations, we integrated a comprehensive payroll system to ensure seamless and efficient compensation management.

  • Dispatch & Field Services: Our blueprint included the establishment of a robust dispatch and field services management system, geared towards optimizing field operations.

  • Digital Form Automation: Moving away from traditional paperwork, we embarked on automating essential forms – from safety reports to driver waybills – ensuring real-time data capture and accessibility.

  • Tech Infrastructure: Grounding our solutions was a web-based backend platform, complemented by iOS capabilities, and the robustness of cloud-based data storage and retrieval.

Challenge

J&M Premier, in its quest for operational excellence, faced challenges stemming from manual processes and disparate systems. The task was not merely to digitize these processes, but to ensure seamless integration, real-time data access, and scalability.

Strategic Approach

Our approach was holistic. Starting with a meticulous understanding of J&M Premier’s operational intricacies, we leveraged cutting-edge technological solutions. From web platforms to cloud-based data management, every solution was tailored to resonate with J&M Premier’s unique needs and future growth aspirations.

Impact & Outcome

Our collaboration with J&M Premier yielded transformative results. The company realized annual labor savings exceeding 2 million dollars, achieved real-time issue escalation capabilities from field operations to the home office, and significantly reduced administrative overhead by transitioning from paper-intensive processes to digitized workflows.

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.

TXDOT–Change Leader Training

Overview

In a strategic collaboration with the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT), our consultancy was entrusted with a pivotal task: to develop and deliver comprehensive Change Leader Training. With the backdrop of 79 Modernization projects underway, aimed at transforming and modernizing TXDOT, our mission was to equip all personnel involved with the requisite knowledge and skills for successful project execution and transformation.

Areas of Strategic Focus

    • Training Development: Central to our mandate was crafting a comprehensive training curriculum, tailored to address the unique challenges and opportunities presented by TXDOT’s ambitious modernization projects.

    • Process Improvement: A key component of our training program, we aimed to instill best practices and methodologies to enhance operational processes and drive efficiency.

    • Change Management: Recognizing the scale and impact of the modernization projects, we prioritized imparting strategies and tools to effectively manage and navigate organizational change.

    • Project Management Basics: As foundational knowledge, our training encompassed the core principles and tools of project management, ensuring TXDOT personnel were adeptly equipped to execute projects seamlessly.

    • Classroom Training: Valuing hands-on, interactive learning experiences, we employed classroom sessions, fostering a conducive environment for knowledge absorption and practical application.

Challenge

With the sheer scale of TXDOT’s 79 Modernization projects, the need for effective training was paramount. The challenge wasn’t just about knowledge dissemination, but ensuring that this knowledge translated into actionable insights, driving successful transformation across the entire department.

Strategic Approach

Our methodology combined a range of pivotal areas from process improvement to change management. Through classroom training, we ensured that TXDOT personnel not only understood the theoretical aspects but could also practically apply these learnings in the context of their modernization projects.

Impact & Outcome

The culmination of our efforts with TXDOT yielded transformative results. Post-training, the agency underwent a significant transformation, marked by a dramatic increase in both employee engagement and stakeholder satisfaction. This success underscores the potency of targeted training and the value of our engagement with TXDOT.

Hartford Insurance Group–Business Project Management Methodology

Overview

In an engaging collaboration with Hartford Insurance Group, our consultancy was commissioned to elevate the performance of their Project Management. This was to be achieved through the meticulous development and delivery of a tailored training plan, focused on enhancing Business Project Management Methodology across the organization.

Areas of Strategic Focus

  • PM Maturity Assessment: One of our primary objectives was to evaluate the existing maturity of the Project Management Office (PMO), ensuring that the training would effectively bridge any identified gaps and elevate capabilities.

  • Training Development: Central to our mandate was the crafting of a tailored training curriculum, ensuring it was both comprehensive and directly relevant to Hartford Insurance Group’s unique operational landscape.

  • Training Delivery: Beyond the creation of content, our focus extended to the interactive delivery of this training, ensuring that participants were fully equipped with the tools and methodologies necessary for enhanced project management.

Challenge

For a leading entity like Hartford Insurance Group, maintaining a cutting-edge PMO is crucial. The challenge lay in identifying areas of potential improvement and subsequently delivering training that would not only address these areas but also ensure sustained excellence in project management.

Strategic Approach

Our approach began with a thorough PM Maturity Assessment, providing a clear picture of the current state of the PMO. Based on these insights, a tailored training program was developed, focusing on enhancing the methodologies and tools used by the PMO. Through structured delivery, we ensured that the training was both engaging and effective.

Impact & Outcome

Our efforts bore tangible results. Hartford Insurance Group witnessed a notable enhancement in its PMO capabilities, achieving greater maturity and operational consistency. This transformation underscores the value of targeted training and the efficacy of our partnership.

Walmart–Operational Excellence & Lean Six Sigma Training

Overview

In a significant collaboration with Walmart, our consultancy was tasked with establishing Business Project Management (BPM), Yellow Belt Lean, and Lean methodology training programs. This involved the development of comprehensive playbooks tailored for classroom delivery. Over a two-year period, our scope of work encompassed training initiatives spanning Walmart’s operations in the US, China, and Canada.

Areas of Strategic Focus

  • PMO Maturity: At the heart of our mission was the establishment and enhancement of Walmart’s Business Project Management capabilities, ensuring robust project oversight and alignment with strategic goals.

  • Yellow Belt Training: A key component of our training spectrum, we sought to instill the foundational principles of Lean Six Sigma, ensuring participants were well-versed in its core methodologies.

  • Lean Training: Building on the foundational Yellow Belt curriculum, the Lean training delved deeper, equipping participants with advanced methodologies and tools essential for process improvement and optimization.

  • Training Development & Delivery: Central to our engagement was the creation and delivery of tailored training content, ensuring it was both comprehensive and directly applicable to Walmart’s diverse global operations.

Challenge

For a global retail giant like Walmart, with operations spanning multiple continents, the challenge was multifaceted. Not only was there a need for standardized BPM and Lean training, but it was also crucial to ensure that the training resonated with the unique cultural and operational nuances of each region.

Strategic Approach

Our methodology was exhaustive. From PMO maturity enhancement to Yellow Belt and Lean training, we meticulously developed a training curriculum suited to Walmart’s global scale. The courses were then translated into actionable playbooks, ensuring consistent delivery and application. Additionally, our “train-the-trainer” initiative was pivotal in ensuring sustained knowledge dissemination beyond our direct engagement.

Impact & Outcome

The culmination of our efforts saw the successful development and deployment of PM101, Yellow Belt, and Lean courses. These courses have not only upskilled Walmart’s teams across three major regions but have also laid the foundation for a continuous culture of process improvement and operational excellence within the organization.