Case Studies: Benchmarking  Case Studies RSS Feed Page 1 2 01/10/11EquaTerra Value Assurance Analysis Helps to Maximise the Value of Outsourcing for a Global Pharmaceutical CompanyEquaTerra deconstructed and reconstructed the contract between this leading specialist pharmaceutical company and its IT outsourcing service provider and carried out its ’6P’ Value Assurance analysis. A Value Assurance exercise offers a route to effectively aligning service expectations, perceptions and realities in a long term agreement to maximise value. It takes a more holistic view than a benchmarking exercise alone and includes an assessment of the ‘6P’ areas of the relationship: Plan & Potential, Performance, Process, Price & Commercials, Perception and People & Governance. 12/16/09Specialty Apparel Retailer Turns to EquaTerra to Conduct Benchmark Analysis of its IT InfrastructureA large specialty retailer was looking to improve its IT capabilities, speed to market and cost competitiveness. To do so, the company retained EquaTerra to conduct a benchmark analysis so it could see how it compared to industry best practices. The eye-opening analysis led the retailer to engage a global sourcing provider so it could transform its IT infrastructure and thereby improve upon several lagging IT competencies. As a result, the retailer got on track to consolidating its IT systems, migrating retailers’ locations to a wireless network, and fully leveraging the provider’s global operations and support infrastructure. 06/08/09A Document Services Company and Its IT Outsourcing Service Provider Turn Around an Ailing Five-Year RelationshipThe companies needed a clear roadmap for the desired level of collaboration. Although there was close alignment on the relationship objectives of consistent service delivery and price, there was a misalignment on expectations. Work needed to be undertaken to have a common set of processes, incentive structures, and management systems that encouraged and rewarded collaboration. 12/01/08International Paper: HRO Contract Benchmarking DiagnosticInternational Paper was an early adopter in the Human Resource Outsourcing (HRO) space signing a contract in 2001. Seven years into the contract, with a year and a half to go before contract expiration date, International Paper demonstrated their forward looking focus by conducting a Benchmarking Diagnostic of their current contract in preparation for the upcoming decisions around renewal or contract change. 07/31/08Global Manufacturing Leader Seeks Ways to Rev Up its Global Sourcing StrategyManagement wanted an objective review of its global sourcing strategy and recommendations regarding the offshoring of a portion of its IT function. Working closely with EquaTerra advisors, the company discovered several ways to reduce IT expenses, while maintaining quality customer service. 07/29/08Federal Bureau of Investigation: Strengthening the HR OrganizationThis case study examines how the Federal Bureau of Investigation, working with EquaTerra, adopted an HR transformation plan that incorporates best practices to better focus on the customer, reduce service overlap, link related service delivery functions and consolidate services in key areas. 07/29/08Leading Insurance Company's IT Transformation Brings Huge PayoffBecause of an aggressive acquisition strategy, a rapidly growing global insurance company�s share price was dropping and company executives began to question the cost-effectiveness of the organization�s North American IT infrastructure. EquaTerra helped the company assess its current situation and make strategic changes that would reduce the company�s ongoing infrastructure support costs by more than $52 million annually for the next five years. 06/30/08EquaTerra Helps Federal Government Agency Evaluate Shared Services Centers to Address its Human Resources Information Technology NeedsA major government agency was looking to leverage the human resources information technology (HRIT) system of one of five Office of Personnel Management (OPM)-certified Federal Human Resources (HR) Shared Services Centers (SSC). To help it determine which, among the five, would serve it the best, the agency hired a strategic consulting firm and EquaTerra. After an in-depth assessment process, the two advisory firms were unable to definitively recommend which SSC the agency should engage due to several factors. However, the two advisory firms were successful at leading the agency through a comprehensive thought process which resulted in a road map that detailed next steps. Additionally, the two advisory firms were able to help the agency make a business case for making process improvements to its HRIT systems and were able to get to know the capabilities and experiences of each of the SSCs significantly better – a process that will serve to shorten the SSC selection process when the agency is ready to move forward with this initiative. 05/30/08U.S. Agency for International Development Works with Advisory Team to Reengineer its Internal HR Organization The Office of HR within the USAID was looking to reengineer its HR organization. The agency retained the team of EquaTerra, Pivotal-Insight and the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA), to benchmark USAID’s HR operations against comparably-sized organizations and industry best-practices. This top-to-bottom assessment resulted in a number of recommendations to realign the agency’s HR service delivery, including the recommendation to improve its technology capabilities and to move towards a delivery structure that facilitates customer service for repeatable transaction-based activities. The USAID is currently evaluating and prioritizing such recommendations and plotting the best course of action. 12/28/07Establishing Accountability within the City Government of Richmond, VirginiaThe City of Richmond, Virginia, wanted to implement a comprehensive performance management system based on a similar, successful program developed by the City of Baltimore, Maryland. It was the goal of Richmond Mayor Wilder to improve the city’s operations and service delivery by increasing effi- ciency, eliminating wasteful practice and enhancing accountability across the entire organization. To ensure successful implementation and employee adoption of the new program, the City of Richmond called on EquaTerra for professional guidance and recommendations on developing the system. 12/28/07State Technology Agency Undergoes Strategic IT AssessmentA state-operated technology agency with wide-ranging responsibilities wanted a thorough efficiency study made of its operations organization and feedback on possible alternative solutions to help achieve improvements. EquaTerra was called on to lead this effort, and in addition to tackling the assignment, provided value-added activities. 11/30/07Consumer Products Company Seeks to Upgrade its HR Service Delivery ModelThis case study explores how a small, traditional consumer products company can use EquaTerra’s services. With limited HR resources and a small HR department, this consumer products company was looking to utilize its HR staff in a more strategic way and improve the way it delivered HR benefi ts to employees. Through a detailed assessment, EquaTerra advisors were able to help this client identify key ways to improve its HR business processes and service delivery. While cost savings is not always possible for smaller and mid-sized companies, EquaTerra’s assessment showed the company’s executive team that there are ways to become more nimble in business through a shared services model and a more aligned and strategic business strategy across business functions. Page 1 2