The customer
The Teachers’ Union of Ireland represents more than 20,000 educators working across post-primary schools, further education colleges and technological universities.
Background to the project
TUI recognised the need to modernise the services it delivers to members and the technology that supports its day-to-day operations. As member expectations evolved and digital engagement became increasingly important, the organisation wanted to create a clearer, more connected and efficient experience for both members and staff.
Following the successful approval of a strategic business case and technology roadmap, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) moved into the next phase of its transformation journey: selecting a technology partner capable of delivering a modern CRM platform and online member self-service portal.
While supplier selection was an important part of the programme, TUI also recognised that successful transformation would require much more than new technology. The organisation wanted to ensure staff, governance structures and change management processes were fully prepared before implementation began.
GetSavi partnered with TUI throughout the selection and mobilisation phase, providing independent expertise, structured procurement support and practical guidance to build organisational readiness for the next stage of delivery.
GetSavi helped me at every point of the tendering process and in our set-up of foundational project and change management activities for the project. Patricia Keating, TUI
The challenge
Having secured investment and organisational buy-in, TUI needed to identify a technology partner capable of supporting its long-term vision for modern member services and operational improvement.
The organisation wanted confidence that any chosen solution would not only meet current requirements but also provide the flexibility and scalability needed for future growth.
Key challenges included:
- Defining detailed requirements across multiple departments and stakeholder groups
- Understanding how modern membership technologies could improve member engagement and internal operations
- Running a structured, fair and evidence-based procurement process
- Evaluating suppliers against both current needs and future aspirations
- Establishing governance structures capable of supporting a major implementation programme
- Preparing staff and stakeholders for organisational change before project delivery commenced
TUI required an experienced partner to help navigate supplier selection while simultaneously laying the foundations for successful implementation.
GetSavi made certain that we were happy with the technology supplier we chose, working with us on a strong shortlist of options for our tendering process.
Patricia Keating, TUI
The approach
GetSavi worked closely with stakeholders across the organisation to define requirements, evaluate suppliers and ensure TUI was fully prepared to begin its transformation programme.
Organisation-wide requirements gathering
We engaged teams across TUI to understand current processes, operational challenges and opportunities for improvement.
Through workshops and collaborative discovery sessions, we developed detailed user stories, identified areas of manual effort and established clear requirements to guide supplier evaluation and future solution design.
Exploring the art of the possible
To help stakeholders understand the opportunities available through modern membership technology, we facilitated discussions focused on emerging capabilities and best practice.
This included exploring:
- Online member self-service functionality
- Process automation opportunities
- Enhanced reporting and member insight
- Improved workflows and operational efficiency
- Better access to member information and engagement data
These sessions helped build a shared vision for the future and increased enthusiasm for the transformation programme across the organisation.
Structured supplier selection
Using GetSavi’s supplier selection methodology, we designed and managed a rigorous procurement process to identify the partner best aligned with TUI’s requirements, strategic goals and available budget.
The process included supplier shortlisting, tender management, evaluation, stakeholder engagement and final recommendations, ensuring every decision was evidence-based and transparent.
Governance and change readiness
Recognising that implementation success depends on more than technology, we also focused on organisational readiness.
Drawing on our change management methodology, we worked with leadership and project stakeholders to establish governance structures, decision-making processes and practical change management plans designed to support the implementation phase.
Building implementation foundations
By the end of the engagement, TUI had not only selected a technology partner but had also established the governance, stakeholder engagement and change management foundations required for successful delivery.
The results
The programme provided TUI with both the confidence to select the right supplier and the organisational readiness needed to begin implementation successfully.
Key outcomes included:
- Successful appointment of a technology partner for a new CRM platform and online member self-service portal
- Organisation-wide confidence in the supplier selection decision
- Greater understanding of the opportunities offered by modern membership technology
- A fully engaged and implementation-ready project team
- Clearly documented governance and decision-making processes
- Practical change management plans to support adoption and delivery
- Strong foundations for the next phase of TUI’s transformation journey
“We recognised at the outset of our transformation that this would require a real discipline to change. GetSavi helped us with that at every step of the way, ensuring landed safely at the end.”
General Secretary, TUIKey takeaways
- Successful supplier selection begins with a strong understanding of organisational needs and future ambitions.
- Modern membership platforms can unlock significant improvements in member experience, efficiency and access to information.
- Governance and change management should be established before implementation begins, not after.
- Trade unions can successfully adapt existing governance models to support major technology programmes.
- Early engagement helps build confidence, ownership and readiness for change across the organisation.
