When an ageing freight platform became a business risk, replacing it wasn't enough.

Industry
Energy
Role
Digital Delivery Partner
Engagement
6-month contract

An ageing workflow platform. Complex operational processes. Critical delivery capability gaps. The right delivery structure enabled two phases to be delivered on time with confidence.

"The business has benefited greatly. Such project agility. It looks terrific."
Erin Lawrance, Contracts Performance Specialist
Woodside Energy

215 hours

Saved monthly across transport operations

$225k

Estimated annual savings from supplier quote management

$4.3M+

Estimated value creation and efficiency over five years

Challenge

The technology wasn't the biggest risk.

Woodside’s transport request system coordinated large freight movements across Australia and internationally, including heavy equipment, cranes and turbines. The existing workflow engine was approaching end of life, causing 2-3 outages a month and growing operational disruption.

As delivery began, the project's complexity outpaced the delivery model. Left unresolved, timelines, quality and business confidence were all at risk.

Approach

Building the structure that delivery depended on.


I was brought in as Digital Delivery Partner with an offshore team responsible for execution. When it became clear the project needed more, I stepped into business analysis and project management to create the clarity the team needed to succeed.

Phase 1
Replacing the workflow engine without disrupting operations

The existing system had no documentation. Before delivery could progress with confidence, the end-to-end workflow logic had to be defined from scratch.

  • Defined the full workflow end-to-end to fill the gap left by missing documentation
  • Established acceptance criteria and test traceability to support confident delivery
  • Introduced fortnightly sponsor demonstrations with incremental sign-off at each stage
  • Built a realistic delivery plan with risk management and reporting throughout

Phase 2
Extending capability while keeping delivery on track.

With the platform stable, the focus shifted to new functionality, while maintaining the same delivery discipline established in Phase 1.

  • Scoped requirements, user stories, prototypes and acceptance criteria for all new features
  • Managed a mid-project reprioritisation, replacing reporting scope with enhanced export compliance capabilities that delivered greater business value
  • Maintained traceability between requirements, testing and delivery evidence throughout
  • Allowed controlled scope changes as sponsor understanding evolved through demonstrations
results

A complex programme delivered with confidence.

Reliable platform delivered

The legacy workflow engine was successfully replaced, removing 2-3 outages per month and creating a stable foundation for the efficiency gains that followed.

Business value increased during delivery

Scope was reprioritised mid-project, replacing reporting with enhanced export compliance capabilities that delivered greater operational value.

Delivery risk reduced

Strong requirements management and quality controls enabled both phases to land on time, with only one minor defect identified during hypercare.

Rework and costs avoided

An estimated $60,000–$140,000 in rework costs avoided, and offshore delivery was 11% under budget.

"It's not often a project is delivered in such an agile and dynamic way, whilst also coming in under budget!"
"The business has benefited greatly from the guidance, technical expertise and perseverance in executing this project. We pulled together when we encountered roadblocks and showcased such project agility. It's been a pleasure."
Erin Lawrance
Contracts Performance Specialist
Woodside Energy

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