Overview
The growth of RSM Cayman, expanding from under 20 personnel to over 50 within just three years, triggered a critical need for an efficient resource allocation system. As the firm outgrew its Excel-based system, challenges emerged, including sluggish file management, restricted multi-user access, and version control issues. Although these challenges weren't debilitating, they impeded the firm's ability to maintain real-time data and promptly address resourcing needs to fulfil client requirements.
"Retain has empowered us to scale our resource planning to match our rapid growth, providing a more streamlined, efficient, and productive approach to our resource management needs." - Adam Passmore, Senior Manager
Background and Challenge
The growth of RSM Cayman, expanding from under 20 personnel to over 50 within just three years, triggered a critical need for an efficient resource allocation system. As the firm outgrew its Excel-based system, challenges emerged, including sluggish file management, restricted multi-user access, and version control issues. Although these challenges weren't debilitating, they impeded the firm's ability to maintain real-time data and promptly address resourcing needs to fulfill client requirements.
Implementation
The implementation of Retain proceeded smoothly, with a small group of individuals responsible for inputting client and job data into the system. The process took seven days for initial setup and another 2-3 weeks to import and allocate engagements for over 200 clients. The transition was remarkably straightforward, as the previous allocation process was highly manual.
Results and Impact
Soon after implementation, RSM Cayman saw substantial improvements in their operations. The availability of allocation schedules to all employees was expanded, leading to enhanced planning of engagements and timelines. The most notable change was the ability to access "live" data, reducing the need for static documents. This change saved the team up to 16 hours of administration per week, combined. This streamlined resource allocation not only saved time but also allowed for more efficient use of employee time and availability.
Change in Business Operations
The transition to Retain brought about a more streamlined process for collaborating and allocating resources, enabling better resource utilization. The firm can now provide its clients with more focused attention due to reduced administrative tasks.
Advice for Others
For firms seeking efficiencies in resource allocation and resource planning tools to accommodate growth, RSM Cayman recommends Retain as a valuable addition to their operations.
In summary, Retain has empowered RSM Cayman to scale their resource planning to match their rapid growth, providing a more streamlined, efficient, and productive approach to their resource management needs.