CASE STUDY: New Systems Help Plan International Manage Its Human Resources
Plan International, established in 1937, stands as one of the world’s most enduring and extensive organizations dedicated to children’s development. Operating across 70 countries, including 51 in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, this pioneering organization champions the rights and opportunities of children in need. With its global headquarters based in Surrey, UK, Plan International’s impact reaches far and wide, having touched the lives of 81.5 million children in over 86,676 communities in 2014.
Notably, Plan International has evolved into a formidable force, boasting over 1,200 dedicated staff members and a formidable volunteer force exceeding 9,000. This non-affiliated organization, devoid of religious or political ties, sources approximately half of its funding from corporations, governments, and trusts, with the remaining support coming from compassionate individuals sponsoring a child.
Plan International operates at the forefront of transformative change, collaborating with children, families, communities, and local governments. The organization addresses critical aspects such as health, education, water and sanitation, protection, economic security, and disaster response. Its commitment to swift and effective crisis management was evident during events like the 2013 Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines and the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa.
To optimize its impact, Plan International adopted advanced Human Resources (HR) systems, enhancing its ability to coordinate and deploy resources promptly during emergencies. These systems allow Plan to instantly access comprehensive information about its 10,000 aid workers, ensuring a swift and well-coordinated response. Previously hindered by decentralized and outdated systems, Plan now utilizes a cloud-based HR system from SAP’s SuccessFactors, seamlessly integrated with on-premises software. This transformation, implemented in 2013, has streamlined workforce management, improved operational efficiency, and facilitated data-driven decision-making.
The SuccessFactors system provides a centralized employee profile, enabling a quick overview of skills, expertise, and career paths. It empowers employees to update their information, creating an interactive directory accessible to all. Modules for recruiting, performance, goals, succession, development, compensation, and learning contribute to a holistic approach to HR management.
The benefits of this technological overhaul are manifold. Plan International’s central HR staff spend less time gathering information, with tasks like performance-based salary calculations reduced from months to a mere push of a button. Employees can access and update their records online, saving valuable staff time for more impactful work. Moreover, the organization can transparently demonstrate how donor contributions are utilized, fostering trust and accountability.
Crucially, the improved HR systems have revolutionized Plan International’s disaster response capabilities. By swiftly identifying and dispatching relief workers, Plan has significantly reduced response times, thereby saving more lives. This enhanced efficiency has not only bolstered credibility with various funding sources but also secured new avenues for financial support.
In summary, Plan International’s journey, marked by decades of unwavering commitment, has been further empowered by cutting-edge HR systems, fostering a more agile, accountable, and impactful organization.
Source: Management Information Systems: Managing the Digital Firm (15th Edition, 2017, pp 80-81)
CASE QUESTIONS
1. Describe the problem faced by Plan International. What management, organization, and technology factors contributed to this problem?
2. Describe the system solution to this problem. Describe the types of systems used for the solution.
3. Why are human resources so important at Plan International?
4. How did these systems improve operational efficiency?
5. How did these systems improve decision-making? Give examples of two decisions improved by Plan’s new systems.