Seamless ERP adoption across a post-merger energy enterprise
The challenge
Following a major merger between two large energy organizations, the newly combined enterprise faced the complex task of integrating systems, processes, and cultures across 15,000 users in Canada and the United States.
The implementation of Workday—impacting payroll, timekeeping, absence, and vacation—required coordination across 6,000+ employees, 5,000+ contractors, and 41 unions at more than 375 locations.
The post-merger environment presented several challenges:
Integration of distinct organizational cultures and legacy systems
High resistance to change due to limited awareness and understanding
Significant impacts to employee responsibilities and compensation
Complex coordination across multiple collective bargaining agreements
Our approach
Solve Consulting was engaged to lead the change management, communications, and training workstreams for the Workday implementation. The engagement was partner-led and execution-focused, with senior consultants embedded throughout the project lifecycle.
Solve deployed a comprehensive change strategy that included:
Four targeted change networks—leaders, timekeepers, employees and administrative assistants—engaging ~1,400 participants
50 roadshow sessions across North America to build awareness and trust
6,000 personalized time and pay impact summaries to address individual impacts
14 training courses, 43 quick reference guides, and 20+ change impact sessions to support user readiness
Engaged Labour Relations and Union representatives to ensure all contractual obligations and requirements were met
A detailed change management project plan, regular status reporting, and proactive mitigation strategies to manage resistance and risk
Solve’s approach emphasized stakeholder engagement, personalized communication, and practical tools to support adoption at scale.
Results delivered
The initiative achieved full enterprise-wide adoption of Workday:
15,000 users successfully onboarded to the new system
Unified payroll, time, absence, and vacation systems across both legacy organizations
Significant reduction in service calls and increased training participation
Positive feedback from leadership and end users on the change management approach
Why it worked
Solve’s success stemmed from its ability to navigate complexity with clarity and precision. The engagement prioritized stakeholder trust, tailored communication, and hands-on delivery, led by senior consultants who stayed on the engagement from planning to execution. Rather than relying on generic playbooks, Solve built a fit-for-purpose solution that addressed the human realities of post-merger transformation.