Adaptavist | 2014-2015

Agile Project Management Consulting

Global Collaboration Platform Transformation

Corner of an office building

Context

As a senior consultant, I led a large-scale digital transformation initiative at a Big Four consulting firm struggling with fragmented collaboration tools. Their 120,000 consultants worldwide were working across disconnected systems - local drives, email, and SharePoint - creating significant inefficiencies and compliance risks. The firm had identified Atlassian's Confluence and Jira as potential solutions but needed expertise to validate and implement this strategic change.

Challenge

The primary challenge was coordinating a complex technical migration while maintaining business continuity for a massive, globally distributed workforce. We needed to standardize processes across multiple regions, each with unique workflows and compliance requirements. The stakes were high - any disruption to consultant productivity could impact client deliverables and revenue. Additionally, we had to demonstrate clear value during the pilot phase to secure buy-in for a full-scale rollout.

Approach

I developed a multi-faceted strategy that balanced technical implementation with organizational change management. First, I established a program management framework, creating Jira dashboards and Agile boards to provide transparency across all workstreams. This gave stakeholders clear visibility into progress and dependencies.

To drive adoption, I implemented a phased transformation approach. We started by introducing two-week sprints and standard Agile practices, gradually bringing analysis, design, development, QA, and deployment processes into alignment. I personally led the Jira Service Desk initiative, gathering requirements and building proof-of-concept solutions that demonstrated immediate value to end users.

Throughout the project, I focused on building capabilities within the client's engineering team. By embedding Agile coaching into our daily interactions, we improved their sprint execution and value delivery while creating sustainable internal expertise.

Outcomes

The pilot program successfully validated Atlassian tools as the right solution for the firm's needs. We achieved:

  • 100% adoption across the pilot group of 120,000 users.

  • Standardized collaboration processes across multiple global regions.

  • Significantly reduced document versioning issues and improved compliance.

  • Established repeatable processes for ongoing platform optimization.

Key Takeaways

  • Early focus on stakeholder visibility and progress tracking creates the foundation for successful large-scale transformation.

  • Balancing technical implementation with organizational change management is crucial for enterprise-wide adoption.

  • Building internal capabilities alongside external delivery ensures sustainable long-term success.

  • Regular cadence and clear communication channels are essential when coordinating global teams.

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