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
Following the successful selection of a new technology partner, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) entered the implementation phase of its transformation programme. The organisation was embarking on the delivery of a modern CRM platform and online member self-service portal designed to improve member experience, strengthen operational efficiency and provide a platform for future innovation.
Recognising the importance of effective project leadership and organisational readiness, TUI partnered with GetSavi to manage the implementation from initiation through to go-live and post-launch transition. Acting as both project and change management lead, GetSavi worked closely with TUI stakeholders and the technology supplier to ensure delivery remained on track, staff were fully prepared and the organisation realised the benefits of its investment.
GetSavi were highly committed to ensuring we went live with our new systems on-time and within the approved budget. They also made sure all support processes were in place to maintain stability for our staff and members post-launch.
General Secretary, TUI
The challenge
Having secured investment, selected a supplier and established the foundations for change, TUI’s focus shifted to successful implementation.
The organisation needed to balance the demands of a complex technology programme with ongoing business operations, while ensuring staff remained engaged and confident throughout the transition.
Key challenges included:
- Delivering a new CRM platform and online self-service portal on time and within budget
- Managing supplier performance and ensuring commitments were met
- Preparing staff for new ways of working and new technology
- Supporting testing, training and adoption activities across the organisation
- Maintaining stakeholder confidence and momentum throughout delivery
- Managing operational risk during go-live and transition to business-as-usual support
- Establishing effective support arrangements to ensure a stable post-launch environment
TUI required experienced programme leadership capable of managing delivery while ensuring people, processes and technology remained aligned throughout the project lifecycle.
GetSavi were tireless in their efforts to guide the project to success especially at pivotal stages during testing of the new systems, and in our go-live preparations. Patricia Keating, TUI
The approach
GetSavi acted as TUI’s project and change management partner throughout the implementation programme, providing leadership, oversight and practical support at every stage.
Project leadership and delivery management
We took responsibility for programme coordination, planning and delivery management, ensuring milestones, dependencies and risks were actively managed throughout the implementation.
Working across both TUI and the supplier team, we maintained focus on delivery quality, timelines and agreed project objectives.
Supplier management and accountability
A key part of our role was ensuring the technology supplier remained aligned to agreed commitments and delivery expectations.
Through regular governance meetings, progress reviews and issue management, we provided independent oversight and held all parties accountable for successful outcomes.
Testing and organisational readiness
We worked closely with TUI staff throughout testing and validation activities, helping users understand the new systems, identify issues and contribute to the final solution design.
This collaborative approach improved confidence, encouraged ownership and increased readiness ahead of go-live.
Change management and engagement
Recognising that successful transformation depends on people as much as technology, GetSavi delivered a structured change management programme.
This included:
- Staff engagement workshops
- Communication planning and delivery
- Benefits awareness activities
- Feedback and consultation sessions
- Adoption and readiness assessments
By maintaining regular communication and involving staff throughout the journey, we helped minimise uncertainty and build support for change.
Early exposure and training
We provided opportunities for staff to engage with the new systems early in the implementation process.
Giving teams hands-on access ahead of launch increased familiarity with the technology and reduced anxiety typically associated with major system changes.
Go-live and transition support
As implementation moved towards launch, we coordinated readiness activities, support arrangements and post-go-live planning to ensure a smooth transition.
This included establishing clear support processes, managing the handover to ongoing supplier support and helping TUI move confidently into business-as-usual operations.
The results
The engagement provided TUI with the clarity, alignment and evidence needed to move forward with confidence.
Key outcomes included:
- Organisation-wide agreement on the scale and direction of change required
- Approval for a fully funded programme of technology transformation
- A clear strategic roadmap to guide future delivery
- Detailed investment plans and budget estimates to support implementation
- Strong stakeholder alignment across executive and governance groups
- Greater confidence in the organisation’s future technology strategy and digital transformation plans
“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 transformation programmes begin with a clear understanding of organisational needs and future aspirations.
- High levels of stakeholder engagement are critical when building consensus around major investment decisions.
- Member self-service capabilities can significantly enhance the member experience while improving operational efficiency.
- A robust business case provides the foundation for securing investment and organisational buy-in.
- Independent expertise helps leadership teams navigate complex technology and change decisions with greater confidence.
