How 1,700 Project Managers Build a ‘One Tractebel Culture’ using Planisware

Imagine handling global projects spanning multiple continents, which demands precise coordination. It’s the reality that organizations like Tractebel face—the challenge of managing resources and workflows efficiently across their operations.

As part of the ENGIE Group, Tractebel is responsible for delivering engineering projects in fields like nuclear energy, renewable power, and infrastructure. However, with over 5,600 employees operating in 80 countries, managing these projects required a more structured approach. In 2021, Tractebel turned to Planisware to digitize its project management processes and align its operations across its regions.

Yohan Fontanier, Application Manager at Tractebel, and Guillaume Holdner, the Engagement Manager at Planisware MIS (Managed Integrated Services), dive deeper into how Planisware has transformed their approach to project management and fostered collaboration within the company. 

Building a single source or truth for project management data & practices

Tractebel manages a diverse portfolio of projects around the world. “Some of our recent projects include providing engineering for a nuclear power plant in the UK, green hydrogen production in Australia, and water supply infrastructure in Sri Lanka,” said Yohan.

Tractebel’s business demands precision and efficiency, particularly when managing large-scale energy projects with significant client expectations. Before Planisware, managing resources and workflows across multiple global projects presented several challenges, especially when different teams relied on disconnected systems, including Excel. This made it difficult to maintain a cohesive overview of project progress, resource allocation, and financial data.

“We needed a digital solution that could align project management practices across different parts of the organization,” Yohan explained. That’s when Tractebel decided to implement Planisware, beginning in 2021.

Planisware Enterprise, a comprehensive tool handling all project dimensions

Planisware was chosen as the tool to drive Tractebel’s digital transformation and standardize its project management practices. Yohan outlined the key functionalities Planisware provides for Tractebel’s business.

“The system covers almost all phases of project management, from proposal management to resource allocation and reporting. The only phase we handle separately is prospection, which we manage through Salesforce.”

One of the most significant improvements was the integration of Planisware with Tractebel’s ERP system. “We connected Planisware with our ERP to streamline financial coordination between project management and finance,” Yohan noted. “This has halved the time it takes for approvals and reduced project creation time by 40%.” These efficiencies have been essential in improving Tractebel’s operational performance, allowing project managers to access critical data faster and more accurately.

As Guillaume added, 

“Resource management is a core feature for Tractebel. We developed a dashboard that provides a clear view of workload distribution across the company, right down to the team level. This enables managers to balance workloads more effectively, and it has made a noticeable difference.”

Achieving “One Tractebel” Culture

One of the primary goals of the Planisware project was to foster a unified company culture—what Tractebel refers to as “One Tractebel.” With teams located in multiple countries, standardizing project management processes was a way to encourage collaboration and improve transparency across the company.

“Before Planisware, different teams used different processes, which made it harder to work across locations,” Yohan explained. “With Planisware, we’ve standardized the way we manage projects, making it possible for employees in different regions to work together seamlessly. Whether you’re in Belgium or Brazil, the process is the same, which has helped promote a unified corporate culture.”

In addition to unifying processes, Planisware has also enhanced collaboration between project managers and controllers. “Now, project managers can see the financial impact of their plans in real-time, and controllers can provide instant feedback through the system.” Yohan said.

Overcoming Challenges: The Road to User Adoption

Despite the clear benefits, the road to user adoption was not without its challenges. “People were used to Excel, and moving to a new digital platform was a big leap,” Yohan admitted. 

“There were cultural differences across the organization—some teams had well-established processes, while others had less structured project management practice. It took time to get everyone on board.”

Guillaume recalled one example of resistance to change: 

“A sales colleague told us how easy it was to issue offers in Excel and then pass everything on to the execution team. While that may have simplified things for him, it created extra work for others. Planisware changed that dynamic by unifying the process from sales through execution, ensuring continuity across the board.”

One of the key strategies for driving user adoption was providing ongoing training and support. Tractebel relied on a network of key users, or champions, to coach their colleagues, conduct training sessions, and provide feedback to the Planisware team. “We also sent out regular newsletters, ‘tip of the week’ emails, and release notes to keep everyone informed,” Yohan added. “This helped smooth the transition and ensure users felt supported throughout the process.”

A Culture of Improvement

Since the initial launch of Planisware in 2021, Tractebel has continued to evolve its use of the platform based on user feedback. In 2023, the company conducted a survey of its 1,700 Planisware users to gather insights and identify areas for improvement. “We learned that while frequent users found the system useful, occasional users struggled with its complexity,” Guillaume explained. “We’ve since simplified the interface and reduced the number of screens to make it more user-friendly, particularly for those who don’t use it every day.”

Yohan agreed, emphasizing that user feedback has been essential for driving improvements. “Our goal is to keep refining the system to meet the needs of our users. We’re currently addressing performance issues, and we’ve put a task force in place to make sure those areas get the attention they need,” he said.

One of the most significant advantages Planisware has brought to Tractebel is improved data quality and transparency. Before Planisware, data was scattered across Excel, Salesforce, and other systems, making reporting difficult and error-prone. “Planisware consolidates everything into one platform, which not only improves data accuracy but also makes it easier for project managers to see the financial impact of their resource planning in real-time,” Yohan noted.

To maintain data quality, Tractebel has struck a balance between capturing essential data and avoiding unnecessary gaps. “We limit mandatory fields to keep the process smooth while still capturing the most critical information,” Yohan explained. “This way, we ensure that we’re collecting the data we need without overwhelming users with too many requirements.”

Looking To the Future

Reflecting on Tractebel’s collaboration with Planisware, both Yohan and Guillaume agree that change management and user adoption were key to the project’s success. 

“You need to align the tool with your business strategy and ensure users are engaged from the start,” Yohan advised. “Having strong management buy-in also makes a big difference. When leaders support the change, adoption is much easier.”

Tractebel continues to refine its use of Planisware and explore new ways to leverage the platform’s capabilities. 

“We have a backlog of user feedback and top-down changes to manage” Guillaume said. “Our focus for the future is to stabilize the system and ensure users have fully adopted the changes before moving ahead with new features. Slow and steady wins the race!”

Interested in learning more about how Planisware helps you manage your global processes? Get in touch with us today.