IT project management and business analysis services for growing businesses, charities and the public sector
With a choice of management consultants, business analysts, change managers, project managers, trainers or auditors, we have the right professionals to complement your team. Find out which one you need most
What phase is your IT project in?
Each phase has its own challenges and success factors. Our services are tailored accordingly.
We’ll work with you to formulate a plan that ensures your projects and programmes are a success. No matter what stage you’re at, we have the experience and expertise to support you.
Before the solution is purchased or development starts
“It’s ever so easy to see a software demo and think ‘that’s what we need!!’.
We’ve all done it.
But taking the time to clearly understand what the problems actually are and what the right solution looks like, before jumping in, is never wasted time. Time spent at this stage will be saved many fold later down the line.”
Elisabeth Belisle, Managing Director, Digital Octopii
Digital strategy
New demands for technology, functionality and features are never ending. As a result, knowing what the priorities are for your business isn’t always clear.
A robust digital strategy starts with a clear business strategy and high-level objectives. Our business analysts conduct research with internal and external stakeholders to help you determine your digital strategy. We assess your organisation’s current state of digital transformation and provide recommendations on how to build an effective roadmap.
Pre-project planning
Our project planning framework enables you to set up projects with the right components in place to make sure your project is a success. This includes staffing your project to ensure you have the right skills in place.
Where relevant we undertake an HR / Change Implications Audit and produce a recommended action plan so that you know what needs to be done and when, regarding any HR, employment law, training and engagement issues to maximise the benefits of your business transformation.
Business needs and stakeholders
We carry out a stakeholder analysis and define high-level requirements with the help of your business. The identification of all the stakeholders and their needs forms the foundation of a successful project, whether you are procuring new technology solutions, developing in-house, using your existing applications differently, or a combination of the three.
We review the role and responsibilities of HR and other key people stakeholders including the Board/Trustees, any Trade Unions, Staff Consultation Forums, Employee Reps, key influencers and shakers, all who will either help or hinder progress of any change project. We give you the expert advice and support to ensure they are fully on board throughout.
This initial research phase allows us to put together options and a business case for the best way forward.
Procurement, build or design
If you’re in the market for new software, finding the right product is difficult. We will support you in ensuring the right solution is chosen based on agreed, documented requirements rather than someone’s recommendation or the promises of a good demo and sales pitch.
If you’re building new software or using existing products, we help make sure the finished article does what you need it to.
Governance, risk & compliance
Digitising paper-based processes means you have all your information at your fingertips in a digital format. But digitisation also presents new types of risks you need to guard against. This needs to be considered as part of any IT project.
Our risk and compliance experts help you comply to management system standards, give you the tools to continuously improve and get you ready for external certification audits for the following standards: ISO 27001, ISO 27701, BS 10012 and BS 10008
After the solution is purchased but before it is rolled out
Digital project management and delivery
For digital process transformation projects to succeed every time, an agile approach at some stages is a must. Our experienced Agile and Prince2 consultants help you transition from traditional project management, where a fixed scope and schedule is the focus, to an agile, iterative decision-making approach based on real-time data.
Implementing these principles ensures your projects have the flexibility required to react quickly to unpredictable changes and adapt structures and processes.
Business processes and people
Often the new software is seen as the most important part of the project. Promises are made about what it will do. However, the reality is that people will be using the software and the business processes they use may need to change. If these aren’t designed before the rollout, it’s likely that the software won’t work properly within the business context
Our process improvement consultants help you put in place new ways of working that consider people, processes and software that will work within the culture and structure of your organisation.
Collaboration
Collaborative working with stakeholders can often be the key to successful outcomes. It’s not easy to make sure everyone’s included, but also not get overwhelmed by widely differing voices and opinions – we can show you how.
HR implications
IT projects often mean change to things like terms and conditions of employment, skill sets, appraisals and PDPs, organisational structures, pay, ways of working, HR policies and procedures, etc.
In order to avoid falling foul of employment law and to avoid costly, time consuming Employment Tribunal claims, we also work closely with those responsible for HR, be they the HR department or key Managers/Directors, to conduct an Audit and action plan to aid effective roll to help understand what the HR implications and changes will be ahead of time.
We have the experience and expertise to successfully guide you through this mine field to reduce the risk of any potential unfair constructive dismissal or discrimination claims, so that you can focus on project and business success.
Working with suppliers
Striking the right balance between vendor contracts, statement of works and taking an Agile approach is tricky. Evolving requirements are normal in IT projects, but at some point “what’s included and what isn’t” may become unclear and cause for disagreement.
Keeping track of what was initially agreed and controlling changes is a key success factor in any project.
Our consultants have many years’ experience of working with and successfully managing suppliers of all types.
When the solution is rolled out and beyond
Digital change management
The successful implementation of a digital transformation strategy comes down to the perfect alignment of people, processes and technology over time. After all, digital is essentially an ongoing transformation.
Our change experts design and implement a change management programme focused on the necessary components to ensure a smooth digital journey – flexibility, advocacy, communication and technology.
Training and communication
The successful implementation of a digital transformation strategy comes down to the perfect alignment of people, processes and technology over time. After all, digital is essentially an ongoing transformation.
Our change experts design and implement a change management programme focused on the necessary components to ensure a smooth digital journey – flexibility, advocacy, communication and technology.
Getting buy-in
Keeping the business engaged right through the project, to successful implementation and beyond, is the result of things that happen throughout the life of the project.
This includes broad involvement in requirements at the beginning, effective stakeholder management, good training and communication, and above all, a collaborative relationship between project team and business.
We can help you build the team that works together well and delivers the benefits at the end.
Communication and stakeholder management
Regardless of the stage of the project, excellent communication and stakeholder management are the foundation of any successful digital transformation programme. Even if everything is going well from a technical standpoint, lack of communication, engagement and transparency will quickly derail projects.
Our experienced team will help you find the best ways to keep your stakeholders aligned with your objectives, engaged at every stage and more importantly give you guidance on how to communicate progress to the rest of the business.
No matter what phase your project is in, we can support you.