Transforming Workforce Cost Planning: How a Leading Property Developer Streamlined People Cost Management with Anaplan
Case Studies
Situation:
A leading diversified property development and management company, focusing on residential communities, retail town centres, and commercial properties, sought to improve their People Cost Planning as part of a wider multi-year Finance Transformation program. The company required a solution to handle complex workforce planning, cost allocation, and integration with existing systems like SuccessFactors and SAP.
Approach:
The client partnered with Alpha Alternatives to develop a People Cost Planning model in Anaplan. The project was executed in three phases: Requirements and Design, Implementation and Rollout, and Hypercare transition. Intensive workshops were held to gather detailed requirements. The implementation comprised 4 sprints that included managing late client requests and facilitating user acceptance testing. The solution incorporated importing data from SuccessFactors, a standardized Time/Planning Calendar, multiple model versions to accommodate different planning scenarios, and integration with SAP GL actuals via CSV import. The solution distinguishes approved positions from people assigned to positions, which allows for nuances such as two part-time employees sharing a full-time position. Security measures such as user access and data protection were also emphasized.
Impact:
The delivered model enabled efficient and accurate people cost planning with features like support for incumbent movements, out-of-cycle pay raises, and allocation percentages for Capitalized, Recoverable, and Overhead costs. It allowed seamless integration with existing HR and financial systems and standardized planning periods across the organisation. The inclusion of multiple reports facilitated comprehensive data review and analysis, enhancing decision-making capabilities. Overall, the solution provided scalability for future planning needs and improved control over sensitive data.
Conclusion:
The successful launch of the Anaplan People Cost Planning model empowered the client to streamline workforce cost planning within their Finance Transformation agenda. By integrating with key systems and providing robust planning and reporting features, the company enhanced operational efficiency and financial forecasting accuracy. The project’s structured approach and collaborative execution ensured a smooth rollout and transition into ongoing support.
Project Team:
- Relationship Manager / Solution Architect: Paul Petersen
- Model Builder: Barry Cudlipp
- Model Builder: Andre Lie
- Project Manager: Ciara Kerr