The client faced a complex, expensive process for analysing costs. Over a short period, we created a detailed data model, identified key data issues, and mapped processes to find operational improvements. We presented six priority improvement areas to the CFO and provided a service catalogue linking costs to services. Partnering with MagicOrange, we demonstrated a cost transparency tool, showing the value of automated budgeting and forecasting. Our work offered the client a clear, actionable path to a more efficient and transparent financial process.
Improving cost governance with clear and reliable data
During this cost analysis project, our team of consultants worked with a focused subset of data from the client’s broader European operations.
We began by gathering and interpreting the available data, then analysed and visualised the findings. From this, we identified six key improvement areas and presented them to the CFO, along with a detailed service catalogue that linked costs directly to services.
This provided the client with clearer governance over their financial processes and improved alignment with budget forecasts.
Our analysis helped uncover where money was being spent, highlighted opportunities to improve data quality, and equipped the client with actionable recommendations and materials to implement change.
The key takeaway: no matter how powerful the tools, meaningful insights depend entirely on the quality of the underlying data.
Bringing cost data to life with interactive dashboards
To build on the insights from our initial analysis, we partnered with MagicOrange (an industry leading TBM tool) to demonstrate the capabilities of their cost transparency tool. This allowed us to show the value of automated budgeting and forecasting in action and gave the client a clear, actionable path toward a more efficient and transparent financial process.
Rather than relying on static, complex Excel reports, we used the MagicOrange dashboard to bring the data to life. The tool provided a high-level overview of financial data with the flexibility to drill down into specific cost areas. From that aggregated view, the client could easily navigate to more detailed layers, gaining a granular understanding of cost drivers and spending patterns across their operations.
External data specialists will accelerate progress
This engagement demonstrated how a focused analysis can create a strong foundation for lasting cost transparency. In this case, our client’s data came from multiple systems including the general ledger and purchasing and invoicing platforms making consistency and completeness a challenge. Like many organisations, they faced data gaps that required time-consuming manual effort to resolve.
Bringing in external consultants proved valuable. Free from internal bias, Projective Group’s and MagicOrange’s SMEs, offered a fresh perspective and industry experience, helping to identify inefficiencies and recommend practical improvements. The team created a service catalogue, mapped the data, and produced artefacts to give the client a more integrated view of their cost base.
Although the scope was limited to recommendations, the project showed that even in a short timeframe, meaningful insight is possible. With better governance and clearer processes now in sight, the client is well-positioned to take the next step toward improved cost control and efficiency.
Want to find out more about how you can leverage cost transparency in your organisation? Connect with us to explore your tailored journey.
