At the early stages of our Focus phase, Optis shared an unbiased and realistic view of value levers while defining the purpose-built vision for the future, spanning the organization, people, process, and technology.
Through this exercise, we also uncovered the benefits and costs that often go unnoticed through implementation that pop up near go-live and tarnish the perception of the outcomes and people involved in the program.
To achieve the transformational outcomes and to unlock organizational efficiency, we charted a plan that moved the organization, process, and technology in lockstep:
Pillars of the Transformation
With the fit for purpose vision in focus, Optis defined source-to-pay internal services to bring clarity and structure to procurement’s role in the organization. This allowed the performance and operations management framework to fall into place around the focused capabilities of the new spend management operating model.
This approach also created a connection from the vision and operating model to prioritize requirements, enabling the source-to-pay platform selection process.
With alignment on the value proposition of full suite source-to-pay and the understanding of the most critical and unique requirements, The client leaned on the unbiased and unparalleled expertise of Optis to quickly establish a shortlist of viable S2P platforms and engage them in a focused, fair, and streamlined selection process.
User journeys and S2P personas were used from the Optis Accelerator Toolkit, providing an elevated starting point for solution demonstrations and format for comparison and evaluation.
When evaluating costs, solution total cost models from the Optis Accelerator Toolkit were used to break down software, services (internal and external), support, and other cost escalations that could be expected. This approach demystified the always-changing software landscape to create an even evaluation while avoiding the client having to pay for shelfware or excessive licenses/entitlements.
With the capabilities and limitations understood, the evaluation process moved beyond features and functionality towards partner fit and strategic roadmap considerations. For the client, it was also important to see beyond today’s needs and requirements. The client was looking for investment, innovation, and commitment to be a real partner in the transformation journey.
Client stakeholders understood the impact of making the wrong decision and the potential to lose momentum as decisions spun. Commitment was tested, resistance was dealt with, consensus was formed, and contracts were signed.
After contract execution for the selected software solution, Optis utilized a month of ramp-up to conduct mobilization and project start, allowing the internal project team to onboard and engage early with the impacted business stakeholders rather than recklessly diving into system implementation work. Tailored change impact and readiness assessments were completed to identify complexities and surface pockets of support and resistance across a 20k+ global user base.
In parallel, activities on the traditional project critical path (including requirements gathering and integration design) were pulled ahead to alleviate project risk.
When the implementation went underway, the integrated client and Optis team were equipped with a shared understanding of the mandate, the plan, and the challenges that built momentum and movement.
The Focus phase led to the Launch phase, implementing new capabilities and organizational change across the source-to-pay spectrum:
Sourcing & Contracting
Supplier discovery, RFx, and complete contract lifecycle
Buying & Invoicing
Portal for buying and connecting with approved suppliers
Supplier Information
Digital forms to manage qualification and information
Expense Management
Expense report submission, approvals, and audit
Third-Party Risk Management
Intake, triage, assessment, and ongoing monitoring
Post-implementation, the client has shifted to Perform mode, with a mandate to push adoption, implement new enhancements, and fully realize the benefits of the source-to-pay platform. While possible to move directly to Launch and Perform, in hindsight it is clear to see the initial Focus phase led to a more successful and predictable implementation with a lower solution total cost of ownership (TCO).
