Project management up to four times more efficient with tailor-made tool

The challenge

Yara Technology & Projects carries out projects for Yara production facilities. A well-functioning portfolio tool is essential to streamline work. In addition, invoices are issued via the portfolio tool based on the data from that tool.

The Microsoft Access tool also has the additional disadvantage that it is not accessible worldwide. Scheduling and, especially, approving projects require a lot of manual work. For example, documents had to be printed for approval and then scanned again. This caused a lot of email traffic and copy-paste work.

The approach

Functionalities of the old tool were incorporated into the new one. The Portfolio Management Team and the specialist who developed the original Microsoft Access Database were closely involved in integrating knowledge and experience into the new tool. Development started in November 2020, and the tool went live in April 2021.

When the tool was put into use, it seemed that some new functionalities could be easily integrated, so it was soon decided to add some add-ons, such as timesheet approvals. Users can approve imported timesheets in the tool.

The result

• Users work up to four times faster and more efficiently because less manual work is required, and project information is centralized.

• The approval process for projects flows entirely within the tool, and the approval period has been significantly reduced. Printing documents for signature is no longer necessary.

• The invoicing of projects for the Business Controller now goes through a streamlined process.

• Requesting order numbers from accounting is automated, reducing email traffic. The tool streamlines and centralizes scattered email communication. More people have access to the tool, increasing transparency.

• The tool is very flexible, and it is possible to expand it further. It is also possible to plug in new facilities. Yara's Norwegian department also started using the invoicing system, and there are plans to add the Brazilian department.

• The flexibility of the tool allows Yara to respond quickly to changes within the organization.

Lean management is not an empty concept for Teal Partners. They, like us, strive for greater efficiency.

How did Teal Partners make a difference?

YTP Systems and Tools Manager Carine Delbecque is satisfied with the collaboration that has been realized.

• Together towards a solution.

  “Teal Partners delved into our business. The team brainstormed and came up with ideas that we combined with our own. This collaboration is a good example of how you can come up with the best solutions by working together as a team.”

• Business requirements.

  “Teal Partners paid attention to our business requirements. It is an added value to work with a partner who not only executes what you ask, but also actively thinks along with you. Lean management is not an empty concept for Teal Partners. They strive for efficiency just like we do.”

• Follow-up

  “Optimizations are followed up quickly. Add-ons are also added flexibly so that the tool can ultimately do more than what we initially had envisioned.”

• Budget

  “Teal Partners delivers within the agreed budget and timeline. The developer of our previous Microsoft database was closely involved in fine-tuning the new tool. There was a tight deadline that was achieved thanks to the effort of Teal Partners. There have been no issues after delivery. The tool works great and the roll-out went very smoothly."

• Transparent communication

  “Teal Partners communicates transparently. We were able to perfectly follow their estimates and actual time registrations in the weekly budget meetings. We were on the same wavelength and priorities were respected.”

Yara is a global producer of fertilizers and provides environmental solutions for emission reduction, with activities in more than 60 countries. The company was founded in 1905 in Norway and currently has approximately 17,000 employees.