Investment Firm

Client Background

The Client is a Boston-based investment management firm with approximately 750 employees and a global client base. As the organization expanded in both size and complexity, its HR technology environment struggled to keep pace with evolving business needs.

The firm relied on a fragmented set of systems, including Lawson for Core HR, Payroll, and Benefits; PeopleFluent for Talent Acquisition; Comp XL for compensation planning; and various additional tools and manual processes. This disconnected landscape created inefficiencies, limited visibility, and hindered the HR team’s ability to effectively support the business.

The Challenge

The Client’s existing HR systems and processes were not aligned with the firm’s core value of operational effectiveness. Heavy reliance on outdated technology and manual workflows led to duplication of effort, delays in data updates, and limited access to real-time information across HR functions.

Additionally, the firm lacked the tools necessary to effectively support key priorities such as employee development and compensation planning. To enable continued growth and improve HR’s strategic impact, the organization needed a clear, forward-looking HR technology strategy supported by a strong business case.

Client Profile

• Investment management firm headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts

• Approximately 750 employees globally

• Serves a worldwide client base

• Growing organization with increasing operational complexity

• Multi-system HR technology environment

The Project

The Client engaged HRchitect to assess its current HR technology landscape and develop a comprehensive HR Technology Strategy.

Over a 10-week period, HRchitect conducted virtual discovery sessions and deployed proprietary stakeholder surveys to gather insights into current challenges and future-state requirements. These findings were used to develop a detailed requirements framework aligned with the firm’s strategic priorities.

Based on this analysis, HRchitect developed two strategic options: a full-suite HCM solution and an alternative approach leveraging two integrated systems, one for core HR, payroll, time, and benefits, and another focused on talent management. This dual-system option provided a pathway to more quickly address the firm’s immediate needs in performance and development.

In addition to the strategy, HRchitect delivered a comprehensive overview of the HCM technology marketplace and recommended a shortlist of vendors aligned to the Client’s size, scope, and requirements. To support executive decision-making, HRchitect also created a detailed report outlining the risks, costs, and opportunities associated with replacing the firm’s existing systems and implementing new processes.

Key Benefits

• Defined Strategic Path Forward: Clear HR technology roadmap aligned with business goals

• Improved Operational Effectiveness: Identified opportunities to eliminate manual processes and duplication

• Enhanced Visibility into HR Data: Future-state design enables more timely and accurate information access

• Targeted Support for Talent Priorities: Strategy addressed critical needs in development and compensation planning

• Foundation for Business Case Approval: Delivered data-driven insights on risks, costs, and opportunities

The Results

The Client gained a clear, actionable HR Technology Strategy aligned with its business priorities and growth trajectory. The strategy provided leadership with well-defined options for modernizing the HR technology landscape while improving operational effectiveness across all HR functions.

Through HRchitect’s guidance, the organization established a strong foundation for building a compelling business case, including a clear understanding of the risks of maintaining the current state and the opportunities associated with transformation.

At the time of publication, the Client was in the process of securing approval to move forward with vendor evaluation and selection, positioning the organization to implement a more modern, efficient, and scalable HR technology ecosystem.