Sunwater - Best Tech Awards 2025 Business Transformation
Capability-Led Planning Transformation Using LeanIX and Signavio Download the DocumentSAP Australia and New
Zealand Best Tech Awards
2025
Zealand Best Tech Awards
2025
Best Tech SAP
Industry WebsiteProduct and Services Featured SAP Solutions
Public Sector https://www.sunwater.com.au/Bulk water supplier for regional
Queensland
LeanIX Application Portfolio
Management; Technology Risk &
Compliance; Architecture Road Map
& Planning. Signavio Process
Manager; Process Governance &
Collaboration Hub
The Tech Submission
Sunwater has embarked on a strategic transformation to
move from fragmented, technology-led planning to a
capability-led approach that puts business outcomes and
strategic alignment at the centre of how we plan, invest, and
deliver change. Enabled by LeanIX and Signavio, our
transformation is redefining how Sunwater orchestrates
people, process, data and technology to deliver water for
prosperity.
Capability-Led Planning Transformation
Using LeanIX and Signavio
Business Transformation
Who we are
We manage 23 water supply schemes across Queensland
Covering four operational areas: North, Central, Burnett
and Lower Mary, and South
What we do
Provide water resources to over 5000 irrigation, industrial
and urban customers
Operate dams, weirs, and barrages with a combined
storage capacity of over 6500 gigalitres
Our impact
Supply more than 40% of the water used commercially in
Queensland each year
Industry WebsiteProduct and Services Featured SAP Solutions
Public Sector https://www.sunwater.com.au/Bulk water supplier for regional
Queensland
LeanIX Application Portfolio
Management; Technology Risk &
Compliance; Architecture Road Map
& Planning. Signavio Process
Manager; Process Governance &
Collaboration Hub
The Tech Submission
Sunwater has embarked on a strategic transformation to
move from fragmented, technology-led planning to a
capability-led approach that puts business outcomes and
strategic alignment at the centre of how we plan, invest, and
deliver change. Enabled by LeanIX and Signavio, our
transformation is redefining how Sunwater orchestrates
people, process, data and technology to deliver water for
prosperity.
Capability-Led Planning Transformation
Using LeanIX and Signavio
Business Transformation
Who we are
We manage 23 water supply schemes across Queensland
Covering four operational areas: North, Central, Burnett
and Lower Mary, and South
What we do
Provide water resources to over 5000 irrigation, industrial
and urban customers
Operate dams, weirs, and barrages with a combined
storage capacity of over 6500 gigalitres
Our impact
Supply more than 40% of the water used commercially in
Queensland each year
Challenges
Prior to this initiative, Sunwater faced several interconnected business challenges that limited our ability to
deliver value through change. The core dilemma was a fragmented approach to planning and investment,
where projects were often initiated in isolation, without a clear link to enterprise strategy or capability needs.
This led to duplicated effort, inconsistent process documentation, and limited visibility into enterprise-wide
impacts.
Projects were frequently scoped with insufficient understanding of the current state, unclear requirements, and
no consistent framework for prioritisation. Capability gaps were not well understood, making it difficult to focus
investment where it would have the greatest impact. Business units lacked common language or tools to
articulate what they needed, resulting in technology-led solutions that failed to deliver expected benefits.
Additionally, there was no standard approach to defining or governing business processes, meaning that
change initiatives were often reactive, siloed, and difficult to sustain.
These issues created delivery risk, resource inefficiency, and limited Sunwater’s ability to respond strategically
to regulatory shifts, infrastructure needs, and customer expectations — prompting a shift to capability-led
planning as a foundational change.
Prior to this initiative, Sunwater faced several interconnected business challenges that limited our ability to
deliver value through change. The core dilemma was a fragmented approach to planning and investment,
where projects were often initiated in isolation, without a clear link to enterprise strategy or capability needs.
This led to duplicated effort, inconsistent process documentation, and limited visibility into enterprise-wide
impacts.
Projects were frequently scoped with insufficient understanding of the current state, unclear requirements, and
no consistent framework for prioritisation. Capability gaps were not well understood, making it difficult to focus
investment where it would have the greatest impact. Business units lacked common language or tools to
articulate what they needed, resulting in technology-led solutions that failed to deliver expected benefits.
Additionally, there was no standard approach to defining or governing business processes, meaning that
change initiatives were often reactive, siloed, and difficult to sustain.
These issues created delivery risk, resource inefficiency, and limited Sunwater’s ability to respond strategically
to regulatory shifts, infrastructure needs, and customer expectations — prompting a shift to capability-led
planning as a foundational change.
Solution
Sunwater implemented a capability-led planning solution using Signavio and LeanIX, selected for their
complementary strengths in process management and enterprise architecture. The solution enabled structured
alignment of strategic goals, business capabilities, and initiatives across the organisation.
Key implementation highlights included the establishment of a unified Level 1 and 2 Capability Model,
onboarding of Capability Owners, maturity baseline assessments, and the integration of business process
architecture based on APQC standards. We also transitioned from a traditional technology portfolio to a
Business Systems Portfolio, with new governance structures and a centralised planning approach.
Our decision was driven by the need for a single source of truth for capabilities and processes, better
investment transparency, and clear traceability from strategy to execution. SAP’s native integration vision, ease
of use, and adoption of global standards (e.g. BPMN, CMMI, APQC) gave it a clear edge over competitors, who
lacked either the depth in capability/process modelling or enterprise-grade governance support.
By using Signavio and LeanIX together, Sunwater gained an adaptable, future-proof foundation to guide
transformation and uplift capability maturity in line with long-term strategic objectives.
Sunwater implemented a capability-led planning solution using Signavio and LeanIX, selected for their
complementary strengths in process management and enterprise architecture. The solution enabled structured
alignment of strategic goals, business capabilities, and initiatives across the organisation.
Key implementation highlights included the establishment of a unified Level 1 and 2 Capability Model,
onboarding of Capability Owners, maturity baseline assessments, and the integration of business process
architecture based on APQC standards. We also transitioned from a traditional technology portfolio to a
Business Systems Portfolio, with new governance structures and a centralised planning approach.
Our decision was driven by the need for a single source of truth for capabilities and processes, better
investment transparency, and clear traceability from strategy to execution. SAP’s native integration vision, ease
of use, and adoption of global standards (e.g. BPMN, CMMI, APQC) gave it a clear edge over competitors, who
lacked either the depth in capability/process modelling or enterprise-grade governance support.
By using Signavio and LeanIX together, Sunwater gained an adaptable, future-proof foundation to guide
transformation and uplift capability maturity in line with long-term strategic objectives.
Impact
2. 75% Reduction in Time to Define and
Approve Initiatives
Average time to scope, assess, and approve
initiatives has decreased from 8 weeks to 2
weeks thanks to pre-defined capabilities,
maturity baselines, and documented
processes in Signavio.
Faster project mobilisation
Better use of SME time
Increased portfolio responsiveness
3. 90% of Portfolio Investment Now
Covers High-Priority Capability Uplift
Areas
Portfolio planning and sequencing has
resulted in the majority of investment being
directed toward maturing critical capabilities
such as Asset Management, Customer
Engagement, and Planning & Performance.
Improves resource targeting
Reinforces capability ownership
Drives measurable uplift in maturity
1. 100% of Business Initiatives Aligned to
Capabilities and Strategic Goals
All new business improvement initiatives are
now directly linked to a defined capability
and one or more corporate strategic goals via
LeanIX.
Enables traceability from project to
strategy
Ensures investment supports enterprise
value
Eliminates redundant or misaligned
projects
The capability-led planning transformation at Sunwater has delivered significant business outcomes by aligning all business
improvement initiatives with clearly defined capabilities and strategic goals. This shift has enhanced decision-making,
improved investment prioritisation, and enabled transparent governance across people, process, data and technology
change.
Employees are now empowered through clarified ownership of business capabilities and processes, leading to increased
engagement and accountability. Customers and stakeholders benefit from faster, more coordinated delivery of
improvements that directly support our water infrastructure and service obligations.
Key improvements include the uplift of business process documentation and maturity via Signavio, and traceable
architecture governance through LeanIX. The benefits realised — particularly in planning efficiency and strategic alignment
— exceeded those estimated during business case development, with faster initiative approval cycles and higher
investment focus on strategic priorities. Time to scope and approve initiatives has reduced by 75%, and over 90% of
investments now support high-priority capability uplift, confirming strong returns on transformation effort.
2. 75% Reduction in Time to Define and
Approve Initiatives
Average time to scope, assess, and approve
initiatives has decreased from 8 weeks to 2
weeks thanks to pre-defined capabilities,
maturity baselines, and documented
processes in Signavio.
Faster project mobilisation
Better use of SME time
Increased portfolio responsiveness
3. 90% of Portfolio Investment Now
Covers High-Priority Capability Uplift
Areas
Portfolio planning and sequencing has
resulted in the majority of investment being
directed toward maturing critical capabilities
such as Asset Management, Customer
Engagement, and Planning & Performance.
Improves resource targeting
Reinforces capability ownership
Drives measurable uplift in maturity
1. 100% of Business Initiatives Aligned to
Capabilities and Strategic Goals
All new business improvement initiatives are
now directly linked to a defined capability
and one or more corporate strategic goals via
LeanIX.
Enables traceability from project to
strategy
Ensures investment supports enterprise
value
Eliminates redundant or misaligned
projects
The capability-led planning transformation at Sunwater has delivered significant business outcomes by aligning all business
improvement initiatives with clearly defined capabilities and strategic goals. This shift has enhanced decision-making,
improved investment prioritisation, and enabled transparent governance across people, process, data and technology
change.
Employees are now empowered through clarified ownership of business capabilities and processes, leading to increased
engagement and accountability. Customers and stakeholders benefit from faster, more coordinated delivery of
improvements that directly support our water infrastructure and service obligations.
Key improvements include the uplift of business process documentation and maturity via Signavio, and traceable
architecture governance through LeanIX. The benefits realised — particularly in planning efficiency and strategic alignment
— exceeded those estimated during business case development, with faster initiative approval cycles and higher
investment focus on strategic priorities. Time to scope and approve initiatives has reduced by 75%, and over 90% of
investments now support high-priority capability uplift, confirming strong returns on transformation effort.
“”“This transformation has fundamentally changed how we plan, prioritise and deliver business
improvement. By aligning investments to clearly defined capabilities and strategic goals, we’ve
created greater clarity, accountability, and impact. Tools like Signavio and LeanIX aren’t just systems
— they’re the foundation of a smarter, more connected Sunwater. With Kapish as our transformation
partner, we’ve embedded sustainable capability and accelerated change. Already, we've redirected
millions in low-value or redundant activity toward priority initiatives, reduced initiative scoping and
approval times by 75%, and improved our ability to forecast and sequence over $30 million in
annual investment — with measurable uplift in capability maturity and delivery efficiency.”
— Lance Altena, Enterprise Architect, Sunwater
improvement. By aligning investments to clearly defined capabilities and strategic goals, we’ve
created greater clarity, accountability, and impact. Tools like Signavio and LeanIX aren’t just systems
— they’re the foundation of a smarter, more connected Sunwater. With Kapish as our transformation
partner, we’ve embedded sustainable capability and accelerated change. Already, we've redirected
millions in low-value or redundant activity toward priority initiatives, reduced initiative scoping and
approval times by 75%, and improved our ability to forecast and sequence over $30 million in
annual investment — with measurable uplift in capability maturity and delivery efficiency.”
— Lance Altena, Enterprise Architect, Sunwater