Client Story: Health and Social Care Northern Ireland (HSCNI)

Overview of Services and Projects 

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We supply 21 services to Health and Social Care Northern Ireland, covering 90 projects across 116 cost centers. These include 24 transformation projects, 14 growth projects, and 60 projects focused on maintaining and operating current systems. 

Previous Challenges in Project Delivery 

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Looking back at how we used to deliver projects, it’s clear how far we’ve come. Previously, everything was managed through spreadsheets and Word reports, with each team following its own approach. There was no consistent method for delivery, no real financial control, and limited visibility into where money was going or how projects were progressing. Reporting was irregular and time-consuming, making management extremely difficult. 

The Introduction of Cora as a Project Management Platform 

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Cora offered us the flexibility to start small and build gradually as our processes evolved. It gives individual project managers a single point of support for implementation and delivery, while also providing senior leadership with instant visibility across all 90 projects. Everyone can now see exactly where each initiative stands at any given time. 

Improved Oversight and Reporting 

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Cora allows issues and risks to be escalated efficiently from project to program or portfolio levels when decisions are needed. Automated reporting ensures consistency, and financial information is directly linked to expenditure data. When external audits are conducted, all governance documents, control mechanisms, risk registers, approvals, and stage gates are easily accessible within the system. 

Governance and Guidance for Project Managers 

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The platform also provides clear guidance for project managers. They can easily see which issues require attention and what approvals are necessary at each delivery stage. At the program level, Cora supports control over resource allocation, spending, and future budgeting, giving us greater confidence in financial management and planning. 

Budgeting and Financial Tracking 

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We can now align our budgets with allocations from Health and Social Care Northern Ireland. Project managers can profile future expenditures, link those to product deliveries, and monitor actual spending against projected and approved budgets. This creates a clear, transparent financial picture for every project. 

Visibility for Senior Leadership 

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Senior leaders receive quarterly snapshots of overall project and program delivery performance. This high-level visibility promotes accountability among project and program managers and enables leadership to make informed decisions without needing to chase updates. 

Operational Benefits and Efficiency Gains 

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Cora has greatly reduced the administrative burden. I no longer need to chase information—it’s all available in one place. We can easily see how staff and resources are being deployed, providing a complete view of our operational capacity and project performance. 

Suitability and Scalability of Cora 

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Whether an organization is mature in project management or just beginning, Cora can adapt. It’s an ideal entry point for those starting their project management journey—simple to implement but capable of growing in sophistication as the organization matures. 

Closing Remarks 

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I’m very pleased with the service and support we receive from the Cora team. It has transformed how we manage projects, budgets, and delivery across Health and Social Care Northern Ireland.