Birketts were preparing to review their HR & Payroll systems ahead of an upcoming licence renewal, fully aware that the project would be large, complex, and high-stakes.
They turned to Phase 3 for independent guidance and structure, ensuring they could approach the system selection process with clarity and confidence.
Birketts is a UK Top-50, full-service law firm with over 160 years of heritage. They have more than 700 legal professionals working across seven offices, including Ipswich, Cambridge, Chelmsford, London, Norwich, Sevenoaks, and Bristol. The firm specialises in four principal practice groups; real estate, corporate services, dispute resolution, and private client advisory, and works with businesses, public-sector organisations, and individuals, both in the UK and internationally.
Over 200 detailed requirements were captured and prioritised, enabling a strong evidence-based decision
Six major HRIS vendors were evaluated through a structured and impartial market scan to ensure the best-fit solution
Implementation readiness was accelerated by 3–6 months by frontloading software and integration requirements
Birketts needed to replace an outdated HR system and recognised that the scale and complexity of the project made it especially high-stakes. To secure senior stakeholder confidence, they required a robust business case that clearly demonstrated thorough due diligence and a comprehensive exploration of suitable systems. Impartiality was essential throughout, ensuring that any future solution was selected purely on business need rather than vendor influence or bias.
Phase 3 provided a structured and impartial approach, leading Birketts through detailed requirements gathering to define what the new system truly needed to deliver. We created comprehensive RFP documentation that could support implementation later and facilitated open discussions for stakeholders to test ideas and raise concerns. A rigorous scoring and demo process was designed and managed to assess vendors on real operational capability, ensuring decisions were evidence-based and aligned to Birketts’ needs.
The client felt confident the shortlist matched HR’s needs and the organisation’s risk appetite
They could clearly explain to leadership why systems were included or excluded and how due diligence was done
Payroll and other teams were more engaged, feeling involved early in the process
They were well-prepared to begin implementation with a clear understanding of the work ahead
Selecting the right HR or payroll system is a critical decision. Phase 3 helps Briketts navigate this process with confidence, ensuring the chosen system meets core HR needs and aligns with the organisation’s.
