Agile and continuous improvement
How Stellarmann worked with a leading insurer to improve their ways of working
Client:
A leading insurance company
Project:
Building capabilities across PMO, scrum masters and change management to embed agile competence within the organisation.
Project capabilities we delivered:
- Project management
- Portfolio/project management
- Data & process analysis
- Scrum mastery
Keywords:
- Agile
- Jira
- ADKAR
- GAAP reporting
- Data Universe (DU)
- Oracle
- Sequel Eclipse
- Accounting Rules Engine (ARE)
- FinOps
Introduction
We helped an insurance client transform their ways of working by embedding agile competence and driving continuous improvement. By shifting from a rigid, top-down approach to a dynamic, value-driven mindset, we delivered tailored agile frameworks, automated workflows, and practical solutions that empowered teams and boosted efficiency.
Embedding agile competence
In order to move away from a traditional top-down management style, Stellarmann built capabilities across PMO, scrum masters, and change management to embed agile competence within the client organisation. Across all their projects/missions, our associates successfully delivered strategic agile processes and methodologies, including:
- A pragmatic adoption of agile scrum to reflect the complex and fast pace of change within the client’s roadmap.
- Increased agile/lean knowledge, skills, and competency across all projects/missions.
- Wider use and understanding of agile/lean metrics.
- A fit-for-purpose agile coaching model that reflected the needs of the client’s projects/missions and squads.
- Continued evolution of agile culture, behaviours, and mindset across projects/missions and senior leaders—evident in the move from a fixed, top-down approach to an approach focused on prioritising customer and business value.
- Automated workflow solutions to help control processes and hand-offs between teams involved in processes, including enhancing the Jira workflow technical processes.
- A trusted approach to collaboration that was embraced by third parties and partners.
- We applied a structured methodology and led a change management process to drive successful project outcomes:
- Engaged and collaborated with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to assess change impact and risk, developing strategies to increase user adoption.
- Developed change management plans, incorporating them into project plans and ensuring alignment with organisational objectives.
- Provided guidance, coaching, and support to facilitate user readiness and address resistance throughout the change process.
- Built a client-purposed agile framework with the change management ADKAR methodology.
Continuous improvement
All of Stellarmann’s engagements aim to leave the client in a state of transition to Business as Usual (BAU). At the point when the delivery outcomes have been achieved, the aim of that project becomes BAU.
For this insurer, we provided multiple IT and finance services to deliver incremental process improvements through the use of technology.
- Accounting Rules Engine
Aim: To provide an accounting rules engine to equip finance with a strategic, robust, and scalable earnings engine and accounting posting capability covering Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) reporting.
Outcomes included:- A granular sub-ledger with automated accounting engine capability to enhance the earnings capability.
- Capability to support the daily close process for finance.
- Integrations with their Data Universe (DU) and Oracle general ledger, with automated data flows between solutions.
- Replaced their specialty annual accounting software (Sequel Eclipse).
- Enabled a future-proof, scalable solution that can support the growth ambitions of finance and the wider organisation.
- Upskilled internal and external resources in preparation for BAU.
- A granular sub-ledger with automated accounting engine capability to enhance the earnings capability.
- Year-End Reporting
Aim: To provide a project year-end result to adhere to auditing requirements, ensuring results are delivered accurately and on time.
Outcomes included:- Developed and enhanced the end-to-end finance execution plan to support year-end activities.
- Ensured clients hit all external (non-)regulatory financial requirements.
- Identified areas of improvement/enhancement within all processes affecting their client’s financial position.
- Provided extra administrative support to finance for planning and communications.
- Upskilled internal and external resources in preparation for BAU
- Data Universe (DU)
Aim: To build a data universe (DU) area to support all finance areas. The objective was to make the production and reporting of financial and regulatory data to internal stakeholders, shareholders, and external parties more automated and intuitive.
Outcomes included:
- Ingested and transferred financial data from the client’s specialty industry software (Sequel Eclipse) to an Accounting Rules Engine (ARE).
- Built a ledger mart to store gross GAAP finance data from ARE back into the finance DU.
- Provided an integrated end-to-end solution across their specialty industry software, finance DU, ARE, and Oracle general ledger.
- Streamlined, automated, and standardised processes.
- Established a dedicated FinOps team.
- Upskilled internal and external resources in preparation for BAU.
"At Stellarmann, we take pride in transforming the way organisations work. By embedding agile practices, automating processes, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, we empowered this insurer to embrace change, enhance collaboration, and deliver real value to their customers."
Stellarmann’s partnership with our insurance client underscores the transformative potential of agile
From implementing automated workflows to enhancing financial processes and fostering an agile mindset across teams, Stellarmann delivered solutions that bridged strategy with execution. Our client is now equipped to navigate its complex roadmap with confidence, backed by a robust foundation in agile practices and a culture of continuous enhancement.
