Posted on by Clem Maloney

Project Remediation Contractor for Payroll System Implementation

Description

Project Remediation Contractor for Payroll System Implementation

Sector: Government – Corporate Services
Service: IT Resourcing & Project Recovery
Objective: Provide a senior project remediation contractor for a 6-month fixed term to recover a payroll system implementation suffering from scope creep, significant schedule slippage, and risk of failure.

Context

A government agency was in the midst of implementing a new payroll system intended to replace multiple legacy platforms and streamline payroll processing for thousands of employees. However, uncontrolled scope creep, complex stakeholder demands, and unresolved legacy data integration challenges had led to substantial schedule delays.

With the project already several months behind and at risk of complete failure, leadership required a highly experienced contractor to stabilise the programme, regain stakeholder alignment, and deliver the core solution within a realistic timeframe.

Approach

123.EXPERT sourced and contracted a senior project remediation specialist with deep experience in rescuing business-critical technology programmes in regulated environments. Working alongside the agency’s PMO and vendor delivery teams, the contractor:

  • Conducted a rapid project health check, assessing progress against scope, schedule, and budget baselines.

  • Identified and prioritised the minimum viable scope required to deliver a functional payroll system within the remaining timeframe.

  • Re-negotiated timelines, deliverables, and integration milestones with both internal stakeholders and external vendors.

  • Implemented strict change control and governance processes to prevent further scope creep.

  • Oversaw resolution of critical legacy data mapping issues and validation of migration processes.

  • Provided clear, transparent progress reporting to executives, rebuilding confidence in delivery.

Impact

Within six months, the re-scoped and tightly managed project achieved go-live with the new payroll system, including integration with legacy HR and finance systems. Payroll processing accuracy improved immediately, and the solution met regulatory compliance requirements.

By engaging the remediation contractor through 123.EXPERT, the agency was able to recover a project that had been on the verge of collapse, securing essential business outcomes while reducing risk exposure and avoiding the costs of a complete re-implementation.