Delivering a cloud-based ERP solution against the clock in a high-security environment for AWE

The Situation

AWE plc, whose role it is to manufacture, maintain and develop the warheads for Trident, the UK’s ultimate deterrent, contacted BIE to look for support on the implementation of digital business platform, Oracle Fusion. AWE were in progress of transferring the outdated on-premise legacy infrastructure to the cloud and needed an appropriately experienced programme director to support taking the company through the transformation to this new Oracle cloud solution. BIE worked closely with AWE to understand the unique security, technical, leadership and stakeholder management requirements of the role.

AWE needed BIE to recruit at pace as the project was already in progress. The successful candidate would have to join, manage and deliver a project that was already in motion, and needed the requisite skills to take on the challenges this brought to the programme role. The successful candidate was expected also to ensure  that there was appropriate business ownership and buy-in to the solution together with a strong change management focus.

As the project progressed, the global pandemic was declared adding further complexity to the situation. The requirement for remote working at the height of the lockdown presented a further challenge, requiring the appointed candidate to work and lead the project off-site.

The Solution

BIE Transformation Division worked with AWE to uncover the specific requirements of the project and the skills and attributes needed in detail to ensure the appropriate candidate was identified.

AWE had already started the project and therefore required the fast appointment of a skilled, security-cleared Programme Director. BIE proposed an interim solution. Good interim personnel are functional experts, capable of managing themselves and stakeholders, focused on delivering to the task in hand and able to inject energy and add value from day one. In this instance, the interim Director spent considerable effort to get people ‘on the journey’, using the Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability and Reinforcement (ADKAR) process, supported by a strong training and communication plan.

The Outcome

Oracle Fusion was successfully implemented, enabling go-live in a covid-environment. The project encountered no launch issues and the transition from on-premises infrastructure to the cloud was seamless, enabling AWE to run agile, intelligent business applications while maximizing IT efficiency remotely.