GOSHCC Case Study
System selection
About the organisation
Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (GOSHCC) is the fundraising arm of Great Ormond Street Hospital, the world renowned children’s hospital in London. Based in Russell Square their fundraising team carries out a broad range of fundraising activities including direct marketing, events, major gifts, corporates legacies and trusts.
The challenge
In 2014 they had already carried out an initial requirements exercise with a view to replacing their existing fundraising software that was struggling to meet today’s increasingly demanding requirements for a more integrated approach to fundraising. They had identified user stories, functional requirements and technical areas that needed to be taken into account and had decided that a platform-based solution rather than a proprietary package was probably the way forward. They needed to validate what they had done so far, so they asked Adapta to help facilitate a series of workshops at which teams would go through their requirements. We would then check out, challenge and ask questions based on our knowledge and experience of the sector, what other organisations are doing, and what range of different software products might be able to do. This meant we could produce a more rounded analysis rooted more clearly in the business processes that the charity needed to support.
Adapta support
GOSHCC asked us to help manage the next stage of the work – the procurement of the new CRM software. We helped them tune their proposed selection procedures and introduced some helpful components into the process in terms of structure, requirements documents to suppliers, proof of concept stage management and helped manage the event and engagement between suppliers and the charity. We worked closely with the project team, complementing them and sharing our knowledge and experience through advice and support where needed. They selected the best supplier and software not only based on the rigour of the process we had helped with, but on completeness of requirements we had helped them formulate.
GOSHCC
Ian Chivers
Director of Finance and Operations
"Thanks for all your invaluable help and guidance. We wouldn't be here without you. And don't think that you are escaping; we look forward to your ongoing support.”
Rebecca Pritchard
Former Director of Operations, Crisis
"Adapta have been honest and realistic with us throughout. They are clear where they can add value and where we can do things on our own – so it feels like a partnership..."
James Kliffen
Head of Fundraising, MSF UK
"You have had a huge influence in our fundraising, and I would enthusiastically recommend you to other charities (and often have)..."
Phil Durbin
Former Head of Corporate Systems, Salvation Army
"Unlike many consultants, Adapta won’t tell you what you expect to hear. They will be very honest and challenging and, even if some of what they say is uncomfortable to hear, it means you end up getting better advice."
Dawn Varley
Operations & Strategy Director, Badger Trust
"I knew I could task them with my problem, and leave them to undertake the work in a professional yet friendly way, bringing their expertise and experience to the project…"
Iain McSeveney
Finance Director, Medical Aid for Palestinians
"I’m very pleased with the professional way that Adapta managed the project for the selection of MAP’s new accounting software. It was obvious that they have great experience in the charity sector and on the range of suitable accounting software currently on the market..."
Rachel Rand
Strategic Director - Finance and Corporate Services, NCB
"I would not embark on any IT project without first meeting with Adapta to understand how they feel they could support me. I have found their guidance and practical support invaluable…"
Rosalba Leonelli
Head of Finance, Client Earth
"Thank you to you and your team for developing and facilitating an excellent workshop. You fully understood our needs which were evident in the workshop structure and content…"