The Situation
Fragmented Data and Manual Processes
The CDC and related federal institutes faced a critical bottleneck in budget planning and research analytics due to reliance on manual data processes:
Inefficient Data Management: Critical research and budget data were managed across fragmented systems, including complex Excel VBA Scripts, creating silos and hindering cross-functional analysis.
Lack of Collaboration: The manual process for aggregating and analyzing this data severely limited collaboration and accessibility for various federal teams.
Risk of Error: Human error in the manual data parsing and calculation process posed a significant risk to the accuracy of high-stakes budget and research analytics used for resource allocation.
The Task
Centralize, Automate, and Scale Analytics
The core task was to lead the development of a modern, centralized system to replace the legacy workflow. This required:
Platform Migration: Migrating all legacy data and complex calculation logic from disparate sources (including VBA) onto a single, secure Salesforce platform.
Integration and Automation: Developing an automated data parsing and integration engine to bring in new data and research tools seamlessly.
Delivering Critical Insights: Ensuring the final platform could provide accurate, real-time budget and research analytics to aid decision-making for federal institutes.
The Solution
Leveraging Salesforce for Intelligent Automation
I provided the strategic leadership and development expertise to design and implement a solution built on the industry-leading Salesforce cloud platform.
Salesforce Architecture
- Designed and configured the scalable Salesforce platform to serve as the new centralized data repository and user interface for research and budget analysts.
Data Parsing Automation
- Developed robust automation scripts and tools to handle complex data parsing, eliminating the manual steps previously performed in Excel VBA and ensuring data consistency.
Legacy Logic Migration
Successfully migrated critical functionality and complex business logic from the high-risk, unmaintainable Excel VBA Scripts into the secure and collaborative Salesforce cloud application.
Research Tool Integration
- Integrated new data sources and third-party research tools directly into the platform, providing analysts with a consolidated view for comprehensive analysis
The Result
Reliable, Scalable Analytics
The successful implementation of the new Salesforce-based system delivered an immediate uplift in efficiency, accuracy, and collaboration across federal institutes:
- Data Accuracy Significantly Improved: Automation of complex data parsing eliminated human error, leading to more reliable and defensible budget and research analytics.
- Enhanced Accessibility: Migration to the cloud-based Salesforce platform drastically improved cross-departmental collaboration and real-time data accessibility.
- Streamlined Workflow: The project successfully retired error-prone Excel VBA Scripts, moving critical business logic to a secure, professional, and easily maintainable cloud application.
Testimonial
"Mödred’s work on the CDC analytics platform was transformative. His expertise in data automation and migration successfully moved our critical budget analysis functions off of high-risk, fragmented legacy systems and onto a secure, scalable Salesforce cloud environment. He delivered a solution that dramatically improved the accuracy and collaboration necessary for our federal institutes' resource planning."