CASE STUDY
Engineering & Construction Services
~11,000 employees, operating across 40+ countries
Our client, a FTSE 250 global leader in engineering solutions, embarked on a large-scale digital transformation programme. At its heart was the implementation of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (F&O) and Customer Engagement (CE), together with multiple Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) and complex systems integrations. Fortitude 17 (F17) was brought in to take over leadership of Test & Release Management, ensuring quality, scalability, and operational control across the programme.
• Archaic practices: Test collateral was scattered, outdated, and lacked traceability.
• Huge test case deficit: Hundreds of missing scripts had to be designed and executed to meet quality expectations.
• No formalised processes: There was little adherence to repeatable quality frameworks or governance.
• Programme-wide risks: Environment management and release control were inconsistent, creating delivery bottlenecks and audit risks.
• Curated a robust QA framework: Introduced a scalable, risk-based test strategy aligned with project and BAU needs.
• Managed test analysts: Built and led a blended team of analysts, balancing delivery while maintaining health and morale.
• Optimised tooling: Partnered with Gartner and Forrester to select an automation solution fit not just for this programme, but the wider IT estate.
• Hands-on test design: Scripted against Azure DevOps work items to rapidly close gaps in test coverage.
• Release management: Owned the release process, embedding environment control, version integrity, and strict deployment checkpoints.
• Quality leadership: Embedded project management quality gateways and checkpoints, ensuring each workstream adhered to defined standards.
• Cross-functional collaboration: Drove open communication and knowledge-sharing between workstreams to foster programme-wide alignment.
• Recognition: Invited to become the new Head of QA, Testing & Release following delivery success.
• Turnaround story: Elevated testing from one of the worst performing to one of the best performing workstreams.
• Global UAT success: Delivered multi-national UAT phases for a second Power Platform programme feeding into Dynamics 365 CE—earning a stellar external audit report.
• Budget efficiency: Saved costs by hiring carefully into the test team and maximising team productivity.
• Cultural change: Improved organisational appreciation for Testing as a discipline within enterprise transformation.
• Collaboration wins: Cemented a cross-workstream approach where openness and shared insight accelerated programme outcomes.
The engagement not only rescued a struggling testing function but created a blueprint for sustainable quality assurance and release management across global IT programmes. By embedding modern frameworks, optimising processes, and driving cultural change, F17 ensured that testing became a value-adding function—no longer a bottleneck.