Transformation Solutions

Data & Services Transformation Program

Challenge

A global payments provider sought to strengthen the capability and delivery performance of its Data & Services division — the arm responsible for providing analytics-led consulting, product innovation, and digital transformation services to financial institutions and merchants worldwide.

While the business was scaling rapidly, it faced challenges in orchestrating complex multi-market programs, aligning product launches to measurable business outcomes, and ensuring consistent delivery quality across consulting and technology teams. The client required an execution-oriented senior consultant who could act as both advisor and transformation lead, driving end-to-end delivery excellence and embedding governance, risk management, and performance tracking into every client engagement.

The core challenge was to establish a repeatable, scalable program management framework that could:

• Enable smooth go-to-market execution for new data-driven solutions and products.

• Align delivery and change activities to business KPIs and client value metrics.

• Strengthen internal skills and delivery governance to create lasting transformation capability.

Solution

Harmonic Strategy partnered with the client as Transformation Strategy and Delivery Advisor, introducing a structured, value-linked program execution model that balanced agility with disciplined oversight.

1. Delivery Governance & PMO Framework

• Designed an integrated governance structure linking program sponsors, delivery leads, and product owners across markets.

• Established stage-gate controls, risk registers, and escalation pathways to ensure alignment between strategic objectives and delivery outcomes.

• Introduced standardised tools and templates for project initiation, change management, and benefits tracking.

2. Agile Program Execution & Change Management

• Introduced hybrid Agile delivery models that aligned technology sprints with business readiness cycles.

• Developed delivery playbooks covering planning, execution, and retrospectives for analytics, payments, and data projects.

• Embedded structured change management activities including readiness assessments, communications, and capability uplift workshops.

3. Capability Uplift & Knowledge Transfer

• Implemented training and mentoring frameworks to enhance delivery management, risk awareness, and client advisory skills.

• Built internal “Centres of Excellence” to share project lessons, best practices, and delivery artefacts across regions.

• Supported leadership in creating dashboards linking delivery KPIs with commercial impact, ensuring visibility across senior management.

Key Deliverables

• Transformation Governance & Delivery Playbook

• Integrated Program Management Framework (Agile + Waterfall)

• Change Management Toolkit & Stakeholder Engagement Plan

• PMO Risk, Issue & Escalation Model

• KPI & Benefits Realisation Dashboard

• Capability Uplift Program and Knowledge Repository

Client Benefits

• Accelerated delivery of new digital and analytics-led products to market.

• Enhanced operational consistency and reduced program delivery risk.

• Improved stakeholder visibility through transparent governance and reporting.

• Sustainable internal capability, reducing long-term dependency on external consultants.

• Quantifiable business impact, with measurable improvements in delivery speed, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.