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Keeping it Simple:
Finding the Scalable Patterns

Harmonizing HR Practices Around the World

Parallel Worlds

The various companies within our client were replicating the data and processes needed to track and manage employees in multiple systems. There was no single system of record or a way to consolidate information across the larger enterprise.

After comparing options, it was decided that Workday’s non-customizable SaaS platform was the way to go from a technology perspective – that was the easy part.

The hard part – getting 13 HR Centers operating in Canada, US, UK, and Australia, representing 80 companies and 5,000 employees to find their common patterns and implement a single reflection of their HR Practices.

Echoes and Feedback Loops

While the selection process had been fairly straightforward, there were a number of variables that made the implementation much more complex:

  • Thirteen Support Centers covering 80 distinct entities
  • Widespread geography across the world
  • Independent operations with different processes, systems and tools
  • Multiple stakeholders with overlapping interests, including a Systems Integrator (SI) and Brookfield’s ePMO
  • Additional corporate initiatives competing for their time

Surge ERP’s experience pointed to communication as the catalyst to simplify the implementation process. We focused the implementation on the following strategy for success:

Break it Down:

  • Focus discussions on the discrete portions that make the whole
  • Apply the 80/20 rule
  • Don’t build to the exceptions

Agreeing and Managing to the Plan:

  • Establish a clear roadmap with deliverables and milestones
  • Adhere to a formal Change Control Process.

Write it Down:

  • Ensure everyone is on the same page, from roles to tasks
  • Eliminate misinterpretations across geographical locations

Play it Back:

  • Reinforce that everyone is on the same page
  • It’s better to over-communicate

Evolving Symmetry

The implementation began with clear (written) objectives:

  • Replace the existingcore HR processes with one global set of standard processes for Brookfield
  • Leverage Workday recommendedcore HR processes
  • Establish scalable and simplified processes to support more efficient and effective service delivery

However, subtle cultural differences between geographical locations began to emerge as well as varying compliance needs from country to country. Achieving single, simple, scalable global processes began to conflict with efficient and effective services for the client’s employees.

Thanks to the process of breaking down the problem into its discrete parts, writing down issues and decisions, and playing back these to ensure everyone was on the same page, the project team was able to establish an 80/20 view for common HR processes globally.

Scaling for the Future

After two successful global launches of its standardized HR processes, the client is looking to repeat the pattern with additional Workday functionality to enhance data and processes needed to support its most dynamic asset – its people

“With their exceptional project management skills and deep systems implementation experience they were quickly able to assess the state of the projects, establish the right project and governance structure and lead the teams very successfully through the scoping, design and delivery of the project.”

— Michelle Wettlaufer, VP, Global Controller and Head of Finance Transformation, D+H Corporation

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