Modernized legacy system bringing improved efficiency to 40 years of research data.
Led full‑lifecycle modernization of a core technology platform, including business and data design, large‑scale data migration, and staff training with only four days of downtime.
This effort involved leading the complete replacement of a 15‑year‑old legacy research management system with the modern Pillar Science platform. The project required full business process analysis, information architecture design, and the migration of more than 40 years of historical research and engagement data.
For fifteen years, the organization relied on a legacy research management system that had become both essential and increasingly limiting. It housed decades of research awards, partnerships, and engagement records, but its structure no longer reflected how the organization operated. Replacing it required more than a technical upgrade — it required a full operational redesign.
The transition to the Pillar Science platform began with comprehensive business process analysis and information architecture planning. Workflows were mapped end to end, long-standing workarounds were identified, and data structures were reengineered to better support reporting and decision-making. More than 40 years of historical research and engagement data were carefully transformed and migrated, preserving institutional knowledge while improving accuracy and usability.
The effort required close coordination across technical teams, data stewards, and organizational leadership. At the same time, user-centered training and documentation were developed to ensure staff were fully prepared for the transition. The system cutover was completed in just four days — including a weekend — and operations were fully functional on the first business day after launch.
The result was a modern, scalable platform with a significantly improved user experience, stronger data integrity, and enhanced reporting capabilities. Beyond replacing outdated software, the initiative strengthened the organization’s operational foundation and positioned it for long-term growth and mission-critical performance.
This modernization initiative provided the organization with a significantly improved user experience, more reliable data structures, enhanced reporting capabilities, and a scalable platform for future growth. It demonstrated disciplined execution across engineering, development, data stewardship, and organizational change management, and continues to support mission-critical business functions today.
