Developing future-proofed digital tools for a innovative cost consultancy

The Challenge

The client is a relatively new and innovative cost consultancy, specialising in the property sector. It has a particular emphasis on and vision for digital construction.

The task is to help support the creation of digital tools to support better management of the business now, while being future ready for the changes in professional services and construction that are on the horizon.

The solution needed to be lean, efficient and effective technologically, while being acceptable to the independent and fast-moving culture of the organisation.

The Solution

We employed an accelerated ‘investigation’ and ‘discovery’ phase to capture, map and optimise the current processes. We developed requirements, making sure that we helped anticipated the trends in the industry (for example, the convergence between cost , programme and design) that are driving efficiency in construction.

We drove a fast-track software procurement, focused on these requirements – and ensured that claims of vendors were put to the test.

Examples of our approach were to stress the importance an integrated data strategy that supported the implementation of a new ERP system today, as well as being able to use analytics linking project data with performance in the future. We advised on the choice of cost consulting software that not only enhanced current business, but helped support Design–for-Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) thinking.

The Result

The project is ongoing, but the client is already benefiting from a robust and requirements-led approach to its software procurement. Software vendors have been keen to demonstrate the capabilities of their systems and we have been able to advise on where an out-of-the-box approach should be deployed, or whether customisation is better.

By adopting an ‘agile’ approach, we have been able to install the new functionality in a micro-system way, ensuring that the most urgent needs are met, while fitting into an overall roadmap for change.

By focusing on processes first and foremost, we have also been able to help deliver the cultural acceptance and change – and drive improvements in business efficiency and control that were fundamental to the client brief.

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