OVERVIEW:
Following the acquisition of a German clinical trial supply company, the US-based parent company aimed to integrate the new subsidiary’s operations onto a unified platform. The German entity had previously relied heavily on manual, paper-based processes for inventory management, order fulfillment, and financial tracking. The ambitious project timeline demanded a full Oracle Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system implementation within an aggressive timeline that posed several challenges:
· Complex testing requirements
· GXP requirements
· Limited resources
· Budget constraints
· Scope creep
THE SOLUTION:
The parent company engaged Allison as the lead project manager to oversee the transition. Her approach prioritized direct collaboration due to heavy cut-over inter-dependencies between inventory management, order management and financial management and the related data migration.
Key components of the solution included:
· Assembly of cross-functional team of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)
· across the US, UK, and Germany to validate and leverage an agile methodology to iteratively review and test functionality under tight deadlines.
· Actively managing project scope and test cycles to stay on track within X month implementation period
· Ensuring the alignment with GXP regulatory requirements, including the SOP development, documentation update, and system validation
· Conducting regular status reviews and stakeholder updates to drive transparency and mitigate risks
MEANINGFUL RESULTS:
Despite the inherent complexities of timeline pressure and working across multiple time zones, the project was a successfully executed within six-months. The German subsidiary saw measurable improvements, including:
· Reduced Errors: Automation replaced manual entry, minimizing human errors associated with the legacy paper process
· Enhanced Visibility: Real-time access to inventory, orders, and financial data increased transparency and empowered better decision-making across global operations.
· Improved Customer Delivery Speed by an average of 1-2 days, enabling faster customer response
· Improved Compliance: Standardized processes ensured accurate tracking and adherence to local regulations.
Through Allison’s leadership, attention to the details and commitment to risk mitigation, the ERP system was implemented on time and in full compliance with regulatory requirements. Her proactive communication and thorough documentation kept all team members and stakeholders aligned throughout the project lifecycle. This successful implementation provided a strong foundation for future growth and further integration of the German subsidiary into the parent company’s global operations.