Harper Collins Publishing
Engagements: Project Remediation, Managed Services, Project Management
The Engagement
HarperCollins approached Executive Option and expressed the need for an assessment for an Oracle ERP implementation, which included multiple aspects: general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, invoicing, payroll, procurement, security, etc. Deloitte was the implementor of the project. After the assessment, HarperCollins opted to award Executive Option the full management right of the project, which put Executive Option’s project manager in charge of the overall approach and the Deloitte implementation team. In addition, the Executive Option deployed expert resources that provided specialized services for the project to ensure project success.
The Challenge
The implementation was at risk of being over budget and not making the planned go-live date. In addition, fragmented communication between corporate headquarters and regional operations resulted in disparate interpretations of the project’s status and leadership. Initially, regional leadership was unaware that Executive Option was onboarded to lead the remediation efforts.Â
By formulating an optimized communication plan between all verticals and presenting a change management approach tailored to Harper Collins’s operational needs, Executive Option garnered the credibility and cooperation of Deloitte and all leadership across all regions.Â
The Execution
Executive Option empowered the Harper Collins stakeholder community to reassess their individual department’s operational stance and optimize the scope to fit the need, thus, reducing redundancies and fortifying end-to-end operational workflows, resulting in an expedited timeline and reducing project burn related to vague or misinterpreted requirements.
Executive Option fortified Harper Collins’s staff through dynamic training and acclimation, ensuring an independent support structure. In addition, Executive Option led the SOX/ITGC compliance audit in collaboration with external auditors.Â
Executive Option completed an Oracle ERP implementation on time and within budget for Harper Collins.