Established by Royal Charter on 19 September 1996, UK Sport has been pivotal in driving excellence in high-performance sport, driving unprecedented Olympic and Paralympic success. As an Arm’s-length body (ALB) of the UK Government, it strategically allocates Government and National Lottery funding to athletes, National Governing Bodies (NGBs), partner organisations and events.

The Challenge

Navigating complexities in stakeholder engagement and knowledge sharing

 

UK Sport navigated a complex landscape when managing relationships with stakeholders and partner organisations, including NGBs. The diverse nature of information across departments sometimes led to fragmented perspectives, challenging communication channels.

 

The dynamic funding cycles within UK Sport posed another challenge. Operating on a four-year funding cycle meant that managing financial allocations efficiently was crucial. However, the evolving needs and priorities of the NGBs made this task particularly challenging. As funding requirements shifted over time, UK Sport had to adapt its allocation strategies to ensure optimal support for each sport. Providing visibility of the distribution of funds presented complexities for UK Sport, especially for colleagues partnered with several NGBs, who in turn oversee multiple sports.

 

The size and structure of the NGBs varied, adding another layer of complexity to the interaction process. While larger organisations like British Cycling and British Rowing operate on a one-to-one basis with UK Sport, smaller organisations such as British Para Table Tennis relied heavily on volunteer staff, often leading to complexity in communication and coordination.

The Solution

Empowering individuals through digital transformation

 

UK Sport’s commitment to excellence extends beyond medals; it’s about empowering the individuals who make up the sporting community. Recognising the critical role of effective stakeholder engagement and knowledge management in supporting athletes, coaches, and staff, UK Sport embarked on a comprehensive digital transformation journey. Partnering with Telefónica Tech, it leveraged Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement (CE) to improve external communication and streamline stakeholder interactions. Dynamics 365 CE offered proactive knowledge capture and sharing while enhancing overall communication efficiency. With tailored solutions from Telefónica Tech, UK Sport was able to simplify complex information management tasks and establish deeper links with stakeholders, ultimately better supporting the diverse needs of Olympic and Paralympic-based sports in the UK.

 

“The expertise of Telefónica Tech with Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement ensured that the platform could be customised to meet the unique requirements of UK Sport, making it the ideal choice for our digital transformation journey,” remarked Kate Palmer, Strategic Projects Manager at UK Sport.

 

By implementing Dynamics 365 CE, UK Sport aimed to achieve greater stakeholder relationship management and mapping, enabling deeper links to be established and mutually beneficial working. Streamlining external communication across the stakeholder landscape was also a priority, with a “one UK Sport” plan for communicating with stakeholders and partners. These initiatives were designed to address the complexities of the stakeholder landscape and further enhance the organisation’s goal of driving excellence across athletes, teams, sports and events.

The Key Results

Transforming operational performance at UK Sport

 

The implementation of Dynamics 365 CE brought significant improvements in efficiency and effectiveness for UK Sport. Key functionalities, such as the notes feature and sport trackers, played pivotal roles in facilitating greater knowledge capture and sharing among team members. This streamlined approach to knowledge management has not only improved internal and external collaboration but has also ensured that valuable insights and updates are readily accessible to relevant internal stakeholders.

 

The sport tracker provided a structured framework for tracking performance data and progress across various initiatives. This enabled UK Sport to gain valuable insights into the effectiveness of its strategies and interventions, ultimately contributing to more informed decision-making.

 

Streamlined communication channels, a direct result of implementing Dynamics 365 CRM, led to improved engagement and has provided invaluable insight data about stakeholders and NGBs. By fostering deeper relationships and mutual understanding, UK Sport was able to enhance its partnerships and effectively support the needs of Olympic and Paralympic-based sports in the UK.

 

Adopting an iterative development approach throughout the implementation process ensured adaptability to changing requirements, allowing the system to remain relevant and effective over time. This iterative approach not only addressed immediate needs but also provided flexibility for future enhancements and refinements.

 

Kate Palmer, said “Telefónica Tech’s exceptional grasp of UK Sport’s unique needs and its ability to offer tailored solutions set it apart during the rigorous procurement process.”

 

Dynamics 365 CE has played a crucial role in promoting proactive knowledge sharing, enhancing stakeholder management and improving decision-making processes within UK Sport. By empowering individuals with the tools and insights they need, Dynamics 365 has enhanced UK Sport’s ability to lead Olympic and Paralympic sport in the UK.

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