How does Bedford ensure successful onboarding and setup for Anaplan users?

Filip Czerniawski, Ignition Consultants, responsible for onboarding process of consultants and customers to Anaplan. He and recently sat down to share what customers can expect from the onboarding and setup to ensure success.

What does the onboarding process look like?

Onboarding a customer begins with a Project Kick-Off Meeting, where we introduce our Bedford Team and present the project plan. This meeting ensures all stakeholders are aligned from the start and clear on the project goals and timeline.

Following the kick-off, we make sure every team member has access to Anaplan and is ready to contribute effectively. Our aim is to help new users get comfortable with the platform and deliver results efficiently.

To maintain clear communication and ensure steady progress, we conduct daily stand-ups and sprint reviews. These regular check-ins keep everyone informed on project developments and help the team stay on track.

How long does it typically take to set up Anaplan for a new user or organisation?

The timeline largely depends on the complexity of the project, but by following Anaplan Way best practices, customers can see tangible results quickly. Each project is structured into sprints, with regular sprint reviews where the implementation team demonstrates progress directly in the Anaplan dashboards that will be used by end-users.

This iterative approach allows us to gather feedback promptly and adjust priorities based on client needs. After the implementation phase, we conduct User Acceptance Testing (UAT) to ensure everything meets the client’s expectations, followed by the Go-Live phase, where the Anaplan model is fully deployed.

Are there any specific training resources or materials available to help me get started?

Anaplan provides several comprehensive training resources, whether you’re just beginning or looking to enhance your skills. Key resources include:

• Anaplan Academy: This offers a structured path with three model-building courses. Level 1 is ideal for beginners, while Level 2 and Level 3 is best to advanced users who want to design and manage more complex models.
• Anaplan Community: A valuable resource for forums, user guides, best practices, and real-world examples. It’s an excellent place for collaboration, asking questions, and learning from experienced Anaplan users.
• Anaplan Documentation (Anapedia): Anaplan’s detailed documentation covering platform features, setup instructions, and available data integrations.

Do you offer any personalised onboarding support or consulting services?

At Bedford, we provide certified instructors to guide you through your first steps in Anaplan. Our training is comprehensive and typically spans 4 days for each level. This structured training is highly recommended for building a strong foundation in Anaplan. Having led several sessions myself, I find it not only enjoyable but also a great way to bring clarity to teams starting their Anaplan journey.

In our projects, we prefer a co-build approach, where we work closely with the customer to build the Anaplan model together. This collaborative process allows us to share both model-building tasks and key design decisions, making the handover smoother once the implementation is complete. It also provides a confidence boost to stakeholders, as they are actively involved and work closely with both the end-users and the business throughout the project.

Are there any technical requirements or considerations for integrating Anaplan with our existing systems?

Before starting any project, we conduct discovery sessions to thoroughly understand the systems in use within your organisation. This initial step allows us to identify several key technical requirements and considerations for integrating Anaplan with your existing systems, including:

1. Data Format: Ensuring data is in a compatible format for seamless integration.
2. Security: Addressing security protocols to protect sensitive information during integration.
3. Change Management: Planning for any changes to existing processes and systems.
4. Possible Integration Methods: Evaluating the best methods for integration, such as APIs, ETL tools, or direct connections.

These discovery sessions significantly influence the future design of the Anaplan model. Our goal is to automate wherever possible and focus on data quality from day one. This approach facilitates effective communication between Anaplan and existing systems, such as SAP. At Bedford Consulting you’ll meet industry and data subject matter experts (SMEs) who can assist you in designing the most effective Anaplan model tailored to your needs.

You can also check out our other frequently asked questions for more information, including:

• Support and maintenance here
• Data driven decisions and streamline reporting here
• Save time and boost organisational efficiency here
• Increase collaboration whilst managing user access here
• Forecast accuracy and optimise performance here