Special Projects

I led a comprehensive automation initiative to enhance the efficiency, reliability, adjustability, and scalability of Amcor’s revenue breakout reporting process. The transformation involved several key improvements:

Efficiency: The legacy system relied on 24 separate Access database files, each manually updated with annually maintained rules and occasional mid-year adjustments. I consolidated this process into a single, streamlined Excel VBA script that now handles all reporting types—forecast, actuals, plan, and ad hoc—significantly reducing manual effort and processing time.

Reliability: The VBA script has operated flawlessly for over a year, because of a well-structured variable setup and consistent calculation logic. All reporting types share the same calculation framework, minimizing discrepancies and reducing the potential for user error through minimal required input.

Adjustability: Centralizing the script and defining all variables at runtime allows for seamless updates. Any changes to calculations or variables automatically distribute across all reporting outputs, ensuring consistency and simplifying maintenance.

Expandability: Previously, adding new reporting elements required building and integrating additional databases—an error-prone and time-consuming process. In the current system, new metrics can be introduced by defining just three variables. These plug directly into the existing framework, enabling rapid expansion without compromising reliability or structure.

During my tenure at ThedaCare, I identified a significant gap in financial planning: while an Annual Plan was in place, there was no active forecasting process. Recognizing the strategic importance of forward-looking financial insights, I independently initiated and led a forecasting project. The final model achieved a variance of just 0.03% between the forecasted and actual monthly results.

Data Extraction: Pulled two years of raw data, including all ledger accounts and reporting metrics, directly from ThedaCare’s systems.

Metric Forecasting: Focused on forecasting operational reporting metrics due to their consistent monthly patterns. Financial metrics were deprioritized given the volatility introduced by COVID-19’s impact on hospital operations.

Correlation Mapping: For each ledger account, I identified the reporting metric with the highest historical correlation. Using statistical methods (intercept, LINEST, average), I mapped each metric to a predictive line and extended it across a 12-month forecast horizon.

Manual Adjustments: Incorporated known future changes—such as inflation rates or specific revenue/expense events—into the model to enhance accuracy. These adjustments were layered into the Income Statement as needed.

Income Statement Forecasting: Compiled a dynamic visual Income Statement using a structured approach: Forecasted calculations, Percentage-based adjustments, Fixed manual adjustments.  Each ledger account was configurable, allowing overrides of the default reporting metric. The final forecast balanced seasonality, historical averages, and metric-based projections.

I led the proposal, development, implementation, and training of Power BI within a small organization, transforming WOW Logistics’ legacy reporting system—which relied on monthly PDF reports compiled in Excel—into a dynamic, data-driven platform. The deployment followed a structured, multi-phase approach:

Resource Assessment:  Collaborated with the IT team to audit existing data sources updated on daily, weekly, and monthly cycles. Ensured all relevant data was accessible and optimized for external reporting via Power BI.

Prototype Development: During this phase, I familiarized myself with Power BI’s capabilities and built a proof-of-concept report to demonstrate its potential and functionality.

Needs Discovery: Conducted one-on-one meetings with Managers and Directors across departments to identify reporting needs, desired metrics, and opportunities for deeper data exploration. Gathered requests for new reports and features.

Initial Report Creation & Pilot Testing: Selected a pilot department to develop the first Power BI report. Worked closely with managers/directors to tailor the report, manage access, and provide training. Collected feedback to refine usability and ensure alignment with departmental goals.

Full Rollout: Built the infrastructure and developed customized Power BI reports for all remaining departments, ensuring consistency, scalability, and security.

Showcase General BI Report: During a monthly company wide meeting I held with Management, I held a high-level overview of what Power BI reporting is, how to access their new reports, current state of reports and future state or reports.

Departmental Training:  Facilitated hands-on training sessions with each department, showcasing their specific reports, answering questions, and gathering real-time feedback to improve adoption and effectiveness.