Published 18/06/2024
Network Rail is a vital part of the UK’s infrastructure, responsible for maintaining and developing the railway network to ensure safe and reliable journeys for millions of passengers and freight services. With a focus on innovation and sustainability, Network Rail continuously works to enhance the efficiency and capacity of the rail system. Their commitment to modernising the railway includes implementing advanced technologies and improving operational practices to meet the evolving needs of the nation. By prioritising safety, reliability, and customer satisfaction, Network Rail plays a crucial role in supporting the UK’s economic growth and connectivity.
Industry: Transport and Infrastructure
Location: United Kingdom
Products & Services: Microsoft Project for the web, Microsoft Power Automate, Microsoft Power Apps, Microsoft Power BI
Network Rail’s Wales and Western region, the owner and infrastructure manager of part of the rail network in England, and Wales, embarked on a transformative journey to improve its business change management processes.
Their aim was to enhance benefits tracking, minimise reporting, and quicker decision-making by adopting a new project management tool. Network Rail and CPS worked together to develop a solution to manage non-infrastructure business changes, resulting in enhanced decision-making and increased collaboration.
Our mission is to invest and support the initiatives that deliver the best value for our passengers and freight users. We delivered a minimum viable product internally that was very successful, and we decided to professionalise it and extend its utilisation to better bring along all these people that were already using Microsoft Project
Network Rail’s Change Management Office initially used SharePoint lists and a custom Power Platform canvas app to track projects, which used Power BI for reporting. As the system grew to nearly 300 users managing 400 projects, limitations became apparent. They required a more robust tool that could scale and integrate with Microsoft Project, providing a unified platform for all users.
After evaluating three suppliers, Network Rail chose CPS for their approachability, value, and fixed-price contract. CPS’ solution offered an easy-to-use interface with the necessary functionality for all types of users, making it a versatile choice.
CPS’ support was instrumental to the development, rollout and future-proofing of the solution. Utilising a collaborative approach, CPS and Network Rail identified the best way of working together was through rapid, sprint-based development ultimately leading to the well-received toolset that is in place today.
Working with Network Rail, we aimed to create a solution that not only meets their immediate needs but also supports long-term growth and efficiency. The integration of Project for the Web has provided a robust framework that enhances visibility and decision-making across their projects.
The system has received positive responses from leaders and users. The visibility of initiatives has increased by 130% providing a clear link to strategic objectives. The potential for streamlined reporting and decision-making is clear, alongside increased collaboration inside and outside the organisation.
Network Rail can now manage business changes with the same rigor as infrastructure projects. The unified platform provides real-time insights and has facilitated improved decision-making.
The centralised platform has revolutionised our reporting process, giving us visibility and enabling us to make informed decisions faster. – Marta Berryman, Network Rail
Network Rail plans to expand the use of the tool across other regions throughout the organisation. They aim to fully leverage its capabilities to ensure all business change projects, are managed efficiently and effectively. Continuous updates and enhancements will be made to meet the evolving needs of the organisation.
[Disclaimer: This case study is a factual representation of SIP2.0 implementation and its results as of May 2024. Network Rail do not warranty the quality of CPS and/or their services.]
We foresee this solution being a cornerstone of our project management strategy, driving efficiency and collaboration across the entire organisation.
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