Empowering HK-dir with enhanced tools for organisational excellence
The Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir) is the executive agency for the Ministry of Education and Research in Norway for higher education and higher vocational education as well as the responsible for Norway’s skills policy.
HK-dir were an Arribatec customer when their contract was up for renewal and they had to go into a public tender. This time they had a few more requirements than previously. They needed system solutions for enterprise management that could focus on two areas: quality and risk management; and planning, budgeting and reporting.
Arribatec’s expertise was key in HK-dir’s successful implementation of QualiWare and Hypergene from the RFP process in November 2022. HK-dir needed a solution that could address both strategic and operational requirements and Arribatec proposed QualiWare for its enterprise architecture and business process management (EA&BPM) capabilities and Hypergene for its operational and financial planning strengths. This approach not only won the contract but also set the stage for a long-term collaboration.
QualiWare was introduced as a cornerstone for enterprise information digitalisation, enabling HK-dir to visualise the connections between critical business elements. This system allowed management to clarify governance information while operational teams could provide continuous input, fostering informed decision-making and alignment with strategic goals. QualiWare’s ability to represent roles and functions in the context of achieving the enterprise vision and mission was instrumental in breaking down silos and promoting collaboration.
Hypergene was chosen to complement these capabilities, with a database-link-based integration to Unit4 ERP and a file-based integration to SAP, enabling nightly uploads of critical financial data. Modules such as Strategic Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting, and Analysis & Insights were implemented, providing tools for precise financial management and operational planning. Hypergene’s user-friendly interface and standardised reporting capabilities met public sector requirements while saving time and resources. HK-dir also plans to implement the Performance Reporting and KPI Tracking modules next year, further enhancing operational insights.
The collaboration between the two different teams in Arribatec EA&BPM (Qualiware) and Business Services (Hypergene) was crucial to the project’s success. QualiWare worked on the strategic level, enabling HK-dir to align its vision, mission and departmental goals and provide a framework for governance and decision making. Hypergene worked on the operational level, streamlining financial management, task planning and compliance reporting. There was a shared understanding of project management responsibilities across all parties to ensure progress.
“By combining QualiWare and Hypergene, we’ve significantly improved our operational efficiency and decision-making capabilities. The clarity and insights gained from these systems have been invaluable in aligning our goals and ensuring compliance”, says Hroar Haugsand, HK-dir senior advisor, who has worked very closely with the team.
Complementing services and solutions
The Hypergene team worked together with specialists and the shared customer project team to customize the system for HK-dir. Although budget constraints didn’t allow for full team collaboration, the alignment of actions from HK-dir, the QualiWare team and the Hypergene team made the implementation smooth. After the project started in 2022 HK-dir went live by the end of 2023.
This case demonstrates Arribatec’s ability to integrate strategic and operational solutions effectively, making it a compelling model for complementing EA&BPM and Business Services. It also highlights the importance of leveraging tailored tools and expertise to meet public sector requirements while fostering collaboration and innovation.
“Partnering with Arribatec was a wise choice”, says Haugsand – “their team’s industry knowledge and technical expertise were invaluable in helping us achieve our business objectives. Their collaborative approach ensured that our needs were met at every stage of the project, from initial planning to post-implementation support. We are confident that our partnership with Arribatec will continue to drive our goal of excellence in our internal governance processes.”
HK-dir benefits from a strategic and operational risk overview, ensuring proactive management of uncertainties. Features such as a yearly planning wheel and revision schedules promote compliance, while task planning capabilities optimise resource allocation within the current budget. The budgeting tools ensure financial discipline, and state reporting functionalities streamline the communication of plans and results. This not only secures future funding but also provides evidence of financial compliance, reinforcing HK-dir’s commitment to accountability and excellence.
