Business analysis for a strategic transformation project
Complex system transformations required a faster flow of business requirements into implementation.
There was a clear need for structured visualisation and conceptual clarity to help development teams document complex processes.
Deliverables required cross-domain coordination, while existing expertise was previously organised in a domain-specific way.
Harmony introduced conceptual frameworks and strong visualisation expertise, allowing requirements to be better framed for implementation teams.
The collaboration led to internal capability building and stronger alignment between business and technical teams.
A strategic tandem approach enabled faster execution without compromising quality, resulting in a successful first go-live.
Harmony not only helped us accelerate, but also brought<span class="text-color-red"> lasting improvements to the way we work.</span>
Acerta is a key player in the Belgian HR services market, with expertise in:
- Payroll and HR policy
- Legal advice in social legislation
- Support for entrepreneurs and self-employed professionals
- Nearly 40 years of industry experience
- A client base of tens of thousands of companies
Acerta was in the middle of a complex digital transformation involving multiple teams, technologies, and regulatory contexts. Significant progress had already been made with internal resources - but at some point, that internal well ran dry.
"Ideally, you'd find someone who understands both our métier and the methodology – but that kind of profile is rare," explains Jurgen Claes, Manager Process Management at Acerta.
They were looking for:
- Acceleration within clearly defined timelines
- Expertise to support complex subject matter
- Efficient deployment of internal resources
- Alignment between business insights and technical execution
Critical success factors included:
- A professional translation
of business requirements into technical implementations - Clear documentation and structure for development teams
- Visualisation and conceptualisation of abstract logic
- A balanced mix of subject-matter knowledge and methodological approach
Building on a previously successful collaboration, the partnership expanded into a more comprehensive team setup.
"Harmony offered a solid alternative: people who adapted quickly, were methodologically strong, and really made a difference in terms of visualisation, coaching, and structure,"
says Jurgen.
The collaboration quickly evolved into:
- Rapid deployment of consultants who were methodologically strong and process-oriented
- Work in tandems: pairing business analysts with domain experts
- A Harmony delivery lead who structured the collaboration with ICT and introduced the feature owner role
- Support from Harmony’s internal expert network, providing ongoing coaching and methodological reinforcement
"The Harmony consultants didn’t just work alongside us — they worked with us. They were quickly integrated, both professionally and personally," says Jurgen.
The collaboration between Acerta and Harmony delivered sustainable improvements across multiple areas:
- Stronger flow of business requirements
Thanks to the tandem model, business requirements reached the ICT teams with more clarity and consistency, reducing ad-hoc interpretation and helping maintain delivery pace.
- Improved structure for roles and collaboration
The introduction of the feature owner role, initiated by Harmony’s delivery lead, brought greater clarity around ownership and improved cooperation across domains and with ICT.
- Visualisation as a lever for decision-making
Harmony consultants helped structure complex topics visually and conceptually, which enabled better conversations around bottlenecks - such as in the configuration process. "We were really stuck there. Their fresh perspective helped us break through," says Jurgen.
- Upskilling of internal profiles
Working in tandems enabled internal business analysts to learn new methods, including process visualisation, structuring documentation, and preparing well-substantiated alignment sessions.
- Smooth team integration
Harmony’s consultants were part of the team both operationally and socially. "They were even invited to our team events. That might sound trivial, but it really made a difference in how smoothly things ran," Jurgen notes.
Although the project is not yet fully completed, the collaboration with Harmony helped lay important groundwork and set a solid foundation for the next phases.
