Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) - Best Tech Awards 2025 Next Gen Innovator
Governance, Attendance and Payroll (GAP Report) - Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) Download the DocumentSAP Australia and New Zealand
Best Tech Awards 2025
Best Tech Awards 2025
Best Tech SAP
Industry WebsiteProduct and Services Featured SAP Solutions
Public Sector www.tmr.qld.gov.auBTP, Datasphere, SAP HANA
(on-prem and cloud), Fiori,
Build Process Automation,
Automation Pilot, CAP
Fiori front-end, CAP backend service
logic, BTP for extensibility,
Datasphere for integrated data
access and reporting, Connectivity
across On-prem and Cloud SAP
HANA systems.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) moves and connects people, places, goods and services safely, efficiently and effectively across Queensland. TMR plan, manage
and deliver Queensland's integrated transport environment to achieve sustainable transport solutions for road, rail, air and sea. With a workforce of over 11,500 employees, TMR
requires robust and secure two digital systems to manage operations, payroll, and workforce governance efficiently.
TMR recognised the need for a modern, integrated solution to strengthen payroll integrity, ensure governance compliance, and enhance operational reporting, particularly in
response to evolving expectations from the Queensland Audit Office (QAO). TMR’s Confidential Salaries Report (CSR) was identified as a key area of focus and catalyst for broader
transformation opportunities. This focus led TMR to develop the Governance, Attendance and Payroll (GAP) Report, a solution designed to enhance oversight, transparency and
compliance.
Why This Project is a Best Tech Next Gen Innovator Contender:
The GAP Report project exemplifies how a government agency can effectively address real-world governance and compliance challenges by leveraging SAP’s next-generation
technology stack. By integrating SAP BTP, Fiori Elements and Datasphere, TMR was able to:
• Retire legacy processes
• Enhance compliance readiness
• Deliver an intuitive, secure and scalable cloud-based reporting tool
• Prepare the organisation for a confident move to S/4HANA and beyond
• Enable future extensibility through SAP’s Clean Core and cloud-native architecture
This project delivered immediate operational improvements and demonstrates the value of digitising and modernising HR and payroll processes through cloud-led innovation.
Governance, Attendance and Payroll (GAP Report)
Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR)
Next Gen Innovator
Industry WebsiteProduct and Services Featured SAP Solutions
Public Sector www.tmr.qld.gov.auBTP, Datasphere, SAP HANA
(on-prem and cloud), Fiori,
Build Process Automation,
Automation Pilot, CAP
Fiori front-end, CAP backend service
logic, BTP for extensibility,
Datasphere for integrated data
access and reporting, Connectivity
across On-prem and Cloud SAP
HANA systems.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) moves and connects people, places, goods and services safely, efficiently and effectively across Queensland. TMR plan, manage
and deliver Queensland's integrated transport environment to achieve sustainable transport solutions for road, rail, air and sea. With a workforce of over 11,500 employees, TMR
requires robust and secure two digital systems to manage operations, payroll, and workforce governance efficiently.
TMR recognised the need for a modern, integrated solution to strengthen payroll integrity, ensure governance compliance, and enhance operational reporting, particularly in
response to evolving expectations from the Queensland Audit Office (QAO). TMR’s Confidential Salaries Report (CSR) was identified as a key area of focus and catalyst for broader
transformation opportunities. This focus led TMR to develop the Governance, Attendance and Payroll (GAP) Report, a solution designed to enhance oversight, transparency and
compliance.
Why This Project is a Best Tech Next Gen Innovator Contender:
The GAP Report project exemplifies how a government agency can effectively address real-world governance and compliance challenges by leveraging SAP’s next-generation
technology stack. By integrating SAP BTP, Fiori Elements and Datasphere, TMR was able to:
• Retire legacy processes
• Enhance compliance readiness
• Deliver an intuitive, secure and scalable cloud-based reporting tool
• Prepare the organisation for a confident move to S/4HANA and beyond
• Enable future extensibility through SAP’s Clean Core and cloud-native architecture
This project delivered immediate operational improvements and demonstrates the value of digitising and modernising HR and payroll processes through cloud-led innovation.
Governance, Attendance and Payroll (GAP Report)
Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR)
Next Gen Innovator
Challenges
The Confidential Salary Report (CSR) was a business-critical report used to manage employee compensation, validate
adjustments (e.g. overtime, higher duties, leave), and respond to compliance and audit reviews. However, TMR faced some
identified challenges:
Technical & Operational issues:
• CSR involved manual processes that impacted efficiency and lacked maturity.
• Manual effort introduced delays and data integrity challenges, increasing the potential for misreporting or audit flags.
• Users had limited ability to explore or engage with the data, as static reports restricted insights and hindered informed
decision-making.
• Fragmented systems resulted in the absence of a clear audit trail across departments and roles responsible for salary
governance.
• Gaps were identified in the CSR sign-off process.
Strategic Constraints:
• The CSR process was not scalable, lacked workflow escalation mechanisms, and was isolated from broader digital
transformation efforts.
• TMR sought a solution that integrated with SAP EC and aligned with the S/4HANA transition strategy.
• Meeting QAO compliance expectations was a critical success of the new solution.
The Confidential Salary Report (CSR) was a business-critical report used to manage employee compensation, validate
adjustments (e.g. overtime, higher duties, leave), and respond to compliance and audit reviews. However, TMR faced some
identified challenges:
Technical & Operational issues:
• CSR involved manual processes that impacted efficiency and lacked maturity.
• Manual effort introduced delays and data integrity challenges, increasing the potential for misreporting or audit flags.
• Users had limited ability to explore or engage with the data, as static reports restricted insights and hindered informed
decision-making.
• Fragmented systems resulted in the absence of a clear audit trail across departments and roles responsible for salary
governance.
• Gaps were identified in the CSR sign-off process.
Strategic Constraints:
• The CSR process was not scalable, lacked workflow escalation mechanisms, and was isolated from broader digital
transformation efforts.
• TMR sought a solution that integrated with SAP EC and aligned with the S/4HANA transition strategy.
• Meeting QAO compliance expectations was a critical success of the new solution.
Solution
Solution – Governance, Attendance & Payroll (GAP) Report Implementation
TMR engaged DalRae Solutions to design and implement the GAP Report, a secure, cloud-based application built on
SAP BTP that reimagined the way TMR handles payroll data, salary reporting and internal governance.
The project was kicked off with a SAP AppHaus co-design session to explore and understand user pain points,
compliance constraints and requirements, and workflow inefficiencies. DalRae developed the solution using SAP’s
Clean Core principles and the Cloud Application Programming (CAP) model – delivering a future-ready, agile and user-
focused experience without disrupting existing payroll operations..
Innovation / Use of SAP Technology:
• SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP): Formed the core of the GAP solution, enabling secure cloud
deployment, extensibility and S/4HANA readiness
• SAP Datasphere: Provided a scalable, centralised data access layer that powered dynamic reporting in real time,
without data duplication
• Fiori Elements & Launchpad Service: Delivered an intuitive, role-based interface with annotation-driven UX and
drillable reporting views
• Cloud Application Programming Model (CAP): Supported agile development with clean architecture and
reusable services aligned to Clean Core strategy
• SAP ECC Integration (S/4-ready): Integrated directly into the current SAP ECC environment while being
designed to migrate seamlessly to S/4HANA
Solution – Governance, Attendance & Payroll (GAP) Report Implementation
TMR engaged DalRae Solutions to design and implement the GAP Report, a secure, cloud-based application built on
SAP BTP that reimagined the way TMR handles payroll data, salary reporting and internal governance.
The project was kicked off with a SAP AppHaus co-design session to explore and understand user pain points,
compliance constraints and requirements, and workflow inefficiencies. DalRae developed the solution using SAP’s
Clean Core principles and the Cloud Application Programming (CAP) model – delivering a future-ready, agile and user-
focused experience without disrupting existing payroll operations..
Innovation / Use of SAP Technology:
• SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP): Formed the core of the GAP solution, enabling secure cloud
deployment, extensibility and S/4HANA readiness
• SAP Datasphere: Provided a scalable, centralised data access layer that powered dynamic reporting in real time,
without data duplication
• Fiori Elements & Launchpad Service: Delivered an intuitive, role-based interface with annotation-driven UX and
drillable reporting views
• Cloud Application Programming Model (CAP): Supported agile development with clean architecture and
reusable services aligned to Clean Core strategy
• SAP ECC Integration (S/4-ready): Integrated directly into the current SAP ECC environment while being
designed to migrate seamlessly to S/4HANA
Impact
When fully deployed approx. 2,500
managers will be using the application
If a report isn’t actioned within 2 weeks,
it automatically escalates to the next-
level manager.
Reduced administrative
overheads by 50%
Governance & Compliance Uplift
Eliminated insecure local storage of confidential salary data through role-secured, cloud-based access.
Fully traceable workflows and user audit logs ensured alignment with Queensland Audit Office standards.
Created a robust escalation framework to handle workflow delegation and resource absences.
Efficiency & Automation Gains
Reduced manual generation, validation, and distribution of reports, cutting administrative overhead by 50%.
Automated validations reduced the risk of incorrect or missing data entries, improving payroll confidence.
Shifted from static ALV (SAP List Viewer) reports to responsive Fiori UIs, enabling users to drill into salary elements, expl ore trends, and resolve queries faster.
Strategic Enablement
Aligned with TMR’s broader SAP modernisation roadmap, setting the foundation for reuse across future HR and payroll projects.
Leveraged SAP Datasphere to enable data-sharing for additional reporting use cases—promoting platform reuse and scalability.
Supported clean core migration principles, making the transition to S/4HANA easier and lower risk.
User Experience & Engagement
Users benefited from a modern digital interface, simplifying access to sensitive payroll data without compromising controls.
Business units can now conduct salary governance reviews independently, without relying on centralised spreadsheet exports.
Stakeholder engagement improved as report consumers gained on-demand access to relevant salary insights and KPIs
When fully deployed approx. 2,500
managers will be using the application
If a report isn’t actioned within 2 weeks,
it automatically escalates to the next-
level manager.
Reduced administrative
overheads by 50%
Governance & Compliance Uplift
Eliminated insecure local storage of confidential salary data through role-secured, cloud-based access.
Fully traceable workflows and user audit logs ensured alignment with Queensland Audit Office standards.
Created a robust escalation framework to handle workflow delegation and resource absences.
Efficiency & Automation Gains
Reduced manual generation, validation, and distribution of reports, cutting administrative overhead by 50%.
Automated validations reduced the risk of incorrect or missing data entries, improving payroll confidence.
Shifted from static ALV (SAP List Viewer) reports to responsive Fiori UIs, enabling users to drill into salary elements, expl ore trends, and resolve queries faster.
Strategic Enablement
Aligned with TMR’s broader SAP modernisation roadmap, setting the foundation for reuse across future HR and payroll projects.
Leveraged SAP Datasphere to enable data-sharing for additional reporting use cases—promoting platform reuse and scalability.
Supported clean core migration principles, making the transition to S/4HANA easier and lower risk.
User Experience & Engagement
Users benefited from a modern digital interface, simplifying access to sensitive payroll data without compromising controls.
Business units can now conduct salary governance reviews independently, without relying on centralised spreadsheet exports.
Stakeholder engagement improved as report consumers gained on-demand access to relevant salary insights and KPIs
“”“This is a strong example of what true co-design can achieve. By working closely with our customers,
users, and stakeholders, we’ve developed a solution that reflects real needs, embraces digital
innovation, and delivers a streamlined, user-focused experience. It’s a practical step forward in how
we design and deliver public services.”
Paul Hesford – Deputy Chief Finance Officer (Digital Transformation)
Department of Transport and Main Roads
users, and stakeholders, we’ve developed a solution that reflects real needs, embraces digital
innovation, and delivers a streamlined, user-focused experience. It’s a practical step forward in how
we design and deliver public services.”
Paul Hesford – Deputy Chief Finance Officer (Digital Transformation)
Department of Transport and Main Roads