1. Organisational Challenge

Viewpoint Construction Software is a provider of innovative construction-specific software solutions to the global construction and capital project industries. The organisation creates the tools needed to improve project profitability and visibility, manage risk, and effectively collaborate with the entire project team. For over 35 years Viewpoint has been committed to bringing information technology-based efficiencies to construction projects and their stakeholders, engaging in a highly collaborative process with customers to ensure every product and service addresses key industry issues.

The headquarters of Viewpoint Construction Software are in North America and there have subsidiaries in Australia, the Middle East and England. From its offices in Newcastle and Swansea, Viewpoint is dedicated to UK contractors by providing an industry-leading, collaborative document control and BIM (browser based solution for faster project delivery), plus an innovative, cloud-based, off-line mobile field solution.

In the autumn of 2014, the organisation (formerly known as Four Projects) had recently been acquired by Viewpoint and was experiencing considerable change and expansion. Employees numbered approx. 70 at this time with the managers all very technically skilled.

The HR team was challenged with finding a programme that would consistently develop the management and leadership skills of its management team and provide an approved qualification of professional development.

2. Choosing Impellus

Although the majority of the workforce is based in Newcastle and Swansea, some of the management team are based in other parts of the country, so an important pre-requisite was that the management training provider was able to offer training across the UK without the need to travel too far.

Viewpoint booked a couple of places on an Impellus training course as a trial, after which the organisation chose the ILM-Approved Training Centre for its leadership and management programme.

Viewpoint, HR Business Partner, Samantha Harrison said: “Impellus regularly delivers its courses around the country, so we knew we would be able to get our managers trained at a time and location that suited us. Also, with Impellus there is the option to buy multiple delegate days that qualify for a discount and if buying 100 or more days, you can request chartered courses to suit requirements provided you have a minimum number of managers to attend that course. This was particularly attractive to us from the management scheduling and budgeting aspects.”

3. Working with Impellus

Viewpoint managers have attended training in Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle, as Impellus regularly delivers courses in these locations, which means that they do not have to travel extensively. The organisation has also chartered a course for ‘Developing Winning Teams’, as there were seven managers that they wanted to experience this training at the same time to maximise its impact.

Over twenty of the managers have registered for the ILM Award qualification Level 3.

“When I call the Impellus office to check the number of delegate days on our account or to book a course, the Customer Relationship Team is always most helpful and friendly” commented Samantha Harrison.

4. Results Achieved

“Viewpoint managers have enjoyed attending the open courses, as they have been able to interact with other delegates from a variety of industries and organisations. It has broadened their horizons and made them realise that their everyday challenges are not specific to the IT and Construction industries, but are experienced by many others.

Samantha added: “As we knew we would be training managers over several years, it was very important for us that the standard and content of the training was maintained throughout. The Learning and Development Consultants who deliver the training are directly employed by Impellus and we have been impressed by the consistency, knowledge and interaction of the team.”

“We are already seeing an improvement in the communication skills of those managers who have experienced the training courses and the engagement within their teams is better than before.”

Samantha Harrison, Health, HR Business Partner