The challenge

Previously within RICS there had been a fragmentation of technology services provision; different areas of the organisation procured their own stand-alone application services leading to difficulties in consolidating data and additional complexity and cost when adding the new online services demanded by the business and customers.

The application landscape within RICS had a number of issues and restrictions. One of the consequences was that it was difficult to obtain a single view of a RICS customer. The tightly coupled nature of the systems architecture imposed a significant constraint on the ability to adapt to changing business needs.

Our approach

IndigoBlue was originally contracted to complete a review of RICS IT capability, systems and infrastructure.

The RICS IT capability, systems and infrastructure were assessed by two IndigoBlue consultants against their ability to support the organisation’s business plans. Our consultants' remit was to identify areas of opportunity for improvement in each of these. This assessment included meetings with stakeholders, workstream managers and delivery managers.

A number of areas of opportunity were identified, as were the key risks. To allow RICS to attain benefits as early as possible, IndigoBlue recommended a phased approach to the delivery of the recommendations.

As a result of the review, a programme was set up to migrate to an externally hosted, simplified architecture using a phased approach. The first phases were to move to an external hosting provider and to set up a new database and core infrastructure; the creation of a new Foundation Platform.

The start-up and running of this programme were tasked to an IndigoBlue programme manager and we also provided the lead systems architecture role. The deliveries from these first phases were completed in six months.

RICS also engaged an IndigoBlue strategic consultant to assist in developing an organisational structure that is better suited to meeting its business challenges, and in the engagement of an external agency to provide a organisation-wide digital strategy.

The outcomes

The Foundation Programme provided a technology platform that supported RICS into the future, facilitating a broader, more engaging web presence and supporting internationalisation. Additionally, the platform required significantly less resource to support and maintain.

IndigoBlue has also supported RICS in the identification and recruitment of a new full-time IT director, who continued the business-focused developments on the platform.

How we support digital service strategy and design