The Challenge
With an outdated Oracle ERP environment, the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Operational Center in Amsterdam was looking to further optimize its core processes, replacing it with Microsoft Dynamics software. The implementation would also provide an opportunity to further digitalize the end-to-end processes of the HR, Logistics, Finance, Operations, and Shared Management Processes departments. The underlying goal of this entire transition at MSF was to realize time and cost savings of 30%. However, implementing a new ERP system is complex and can fail if project management – and management as a whole – is not up to scratch. That’s why Eraneos was hired to manage the project.
Delivering within MSF’s budget, all the departments completed the controlled “go-live” phase in the new environment with great success.
The approach
MSF had to reorganize a number of things to ensure that the implementation of its digital transformation would run smoothly. The starting point was therefore to adopt a lean approach to the transition. For example, by appointing a single responsible person per department (instead of three) to lead the implementation at the department level.
In addition, a governance policy was drawn up – and enforced – for each department so that better decisions could be made faster. The departments were also linked to one another so that they could resolve cross-department problems themselves. Apart from the core processes, the project planning and scope were simplified and the testing and acceptance phase was revised.
MSF’s teams of experts work day and night to provide humanitarian aid to people affected by emergency situations – from surgeons in field hospitals to fundraisers in the street. Medical, humanitarian, and critical, MSF provides medical assistance in conflict zones, after natural disasters, during epidemics, and more. Founded in 1971, MSF is committed to an inclusive culture and will not be constrained by borders. The organization is based on independence, neutrality, and impartiality and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999.
The result
While MSF’s staff experienced the transition from Oracle to Microsoft Dynamics as somewhat challenging, the implementation team never doubted that this large-scale project would be brought to completion successfully. The team soon found implementation enjoyable. Now the software is live, no significant bugs have been identified and MSF is ready to introduce a culture of continuous improvement as the next steps are taken.
Let’s create sustainable change together.
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