QinetiQ transforms its talent program from top to bottom

QinetiQ is a global defense technology company operating in over 40 countries, offering innovative solutions to address the needs of defense, security, and critical infrastructure needs. As a leading provider of high-tech engineering, training and consulting services, QinetiQ collaborates with governments and organizations worldwide to push the boundaries of technology and research.

As the company expanded its global footprint and diversified its offerings, it needed an efficient learning management system (LMS) to keep its workforce trained and up-to-date. Traditional HR methods were proving insufficient for the rapidly changing demands of their workforce, which was dispersed across multiple time zones and various job roles. They needed a partner that could provide a comprehensive solution to streamline its talent management, learning and development needs.

QinetiQ recognized the infinite potential of Cornerstone to provide a unified, user-friendly platform that would enhance training and development across the organization — and set the stage for long-term success.

Main Challenge: Transforming talent management from top to bottom

Solution: Cornerstone Learning Management, Performance, Learning Experience, Talent Marketplace

Results: Achieved 98% compliance completion, improved succession planning and performance tracking, and more

Erica Franklin is Qinetiq’s Head of Talent Management and Diversity Initiatives. She plays a key role in shaping the company's approach to talent and HR strategies. Franklin joined QinetiQ after it acquired Avantis in 2020, and her mission was clear from the start: elevate the company's learning and development processes.

"When I started, talent management was just a couple of learning courses and a dream of maybe an internal transfer platform," Franklin shares. She recognized the need to create a comprehensive approach to talent management, which involved much more than the initial limited offerings. "There were all these other talent management components happening in the company, but they weren't happening with me just yet because I didn't have a way to do it."

Determined to find the right fit, Franklin evaluated various systems and platforms to upgrade QinetiQ's talent management. She describes it as "six months of just doing demo after demo," resulting in a whirlwind of calls and evaluations. However, her goal was clear: to find an integrated solution that would enhance learning and connect the dots for employees across different aspects of their careers.

Franklin was steadfast in her search for the perfect system. She wanted a platform that could modernize QinetiQ's HR processes, and she was ready to do whatever it took to find it.

QinetiQ's journey to upgrade its HR and learning processes began with a set of hurdles that the company was ready to tackle head-on. The company faced limited integration and connectivity in its processes, with just 75-80% completion in performance reviews and a fledgling compliance program.

Determined to find a comprehensive solution, Franklin embarked on a quest to identify the perfect platform. She meticulously crafted an 80-point list of criteria in Excel, categorizing potential features as "must-haves," "nice-to-haves," and those that would be great to have but not essential.

Franklin's ultimate decision to go with Cornerstone has proven to be a game-changer. QinetiQ's compliance completion rate now sits at an impressive 98%, a dramatic improvement from their earlier struggles. "I just got to present this to our executive leadership team, our CEO and all of her directs," she shares with pride. The ease of use and integration of Cornerstone Learning played a crucial role in this achievement.

Choosing Cornerstone was easy, as the platform offered a robust range of features that aligned perfectly with QinetiQ's objectives. Rather than pursuing a full HR overhaul, Franklin and her team focused on doing talent management exceptionally well, knowing that it would yield the greatest return on investment for their employees' digital experience.

The platform offered a user-friendly interface and a suite of features to enhance employee development, training, and compliance. This versatility was vital in helping QinetiQ address its challenges head-on. Around the time of Cornerstone's implementation at the beginning of 2021, Cornerstone also acquired EdCast. This development boosted QinetiQ, providing even more opportunities for dynamic learning and content delivery within the platform.

Franklin's enthusiasm for Cornerstone's capabilities is evident. She and her team recognized that the platform's strong features and intuitive design would be instrumental in transforming QinetiQ's talent management and employee experience. The decision to partner with Cornerstone set QinetiQ on a path toward a more cohesive and successful future.

In terms of performance reviews, QinetiQ has seen another major turnaround. "Our performance review cycle was incredibly smooth, reaching a 91.5% self-assessment completion rate," Franklin says. This impressive outcome contrasts sharply with QinetiQ's mere 30% completion rate before they collaborated with Cornerstone. Franklin attributes the success to the ease of use and integration of Cornerstone's platform.

One of the standout aspects of Cornerstone's collaboration with QinetiQ is the coaching and support provided by Cornerstone's team. Franklin praises the partnership, mentioning, "We worked with our dedicated coach, Janice, and tapped into resources like office hours and support tickets to ensure we were using the system effectively."

Moreover, the Cornerstone platform has revolutionized QinetiQ's approach to data and resumes. Instead of sifting through outdated methods, like email requests, to gather employee information, QinetiQ now has a dynamic database with over 1,000 resumes. "We have a database of over 1,000 resumes, up from 200 before Cornerstone," Franklin explains. This dynamic database provides real-time insights into employees' certifications, skills, and education levels, facilitating more strategic decision-making.

The journey with Cornerstone doesn't end there — QinetiQ also integrates learning catalogs from LinkedIn Learning and Udemy, offering employees access to a vast library of courses in one place. Franklin is especially enthusiastic about the next phase, which will involve career mapping and talent marketplaces within Cornerstone Learning Experience.

QinetiQ's partnership with Cornerstone has transformed how the company manages its talent and develops its workforce. The process begins the moment a new employee joins the company, starting with a comprehensive onboarding experience.

"At any point in time when you join QinetiQ, you start by reviewing who you are and how you fit your skills," Franklin explains. This initial assessment allows employees to set personal and professional goals and tap into QinetiQ's Academy, which offers a variety of learning programs. Employees can also utilize the company's generous benefits and update their resumes and skills.

Cornerstone has enabled QinetiQ to establish a cycle of continuous feedback and performance reviews. Franklin notes, "We now have three check-ins throughout the year that feed into performance." This process keeps employees connected with their managers and ensures everyone is aligned with expectations.

One of the major benefits of Cornerstone's platform is the accessibility of data and information for managers. Dashboards allow managers to track their teams' progress, including self-assessment completion rates and goal-setting. "We gave all managers dashboards so they could look at their people and see who completed goals or compliance courses," Franklin shares.

The platform's impact on QinetiQ's compliance rates has been remarkable. From a 30% compliance rate initially, the company has now achieved 98% completion. Franklin beams, "We are doing everything we said we wanted to do that we didn't think was possible!"

The partnership between QinetiQ and Cornerstone has yielded significant, tangible results, transforming QinetiQ's talent management and employee experience.

Through collaboration, QinetiQ has met its strategic plan and exceeded expectations. Franklin notes, "We were ambitious to begin with, but now we're at the end of our 5-year plan, and we're proud of how far we've come." The partnership with Cornerstone played a pivotal role in achieving these goals, offering a thoughtful, deliberate, and effective platform.

In partnership with Cornerstone, QinetiQ has transformed its talent management and employee experience, achieving remarkable results. This successful collaboration has streamlined processes, enhanced compliance, and supported continuous growth and development for employees at all levels.

As QinetiQ celebrates the end of its 5-year strategic plan, the impact of its partnership with Cornerstone is clear. The company's ambitious goals have been met and even exceeded, paving the way for ongoing success and innovation.

With Cornerstone by its side, QinetiQ is poised for an exciting future filled with opportunities for advancement and excellence. The partnership's success is a testament to what can be achieved when companies work together to empower their people and drive progress.