Challenge
As ScotRail continued to develop its operational capabilities, the organisation recognised the need to strengthen its understanding and management of several business-critical functions.
Established processes had evolved over time, with activities distributed across internal teams, external providers and supporting systems. This created complexity around responsibilities, information flows, operational dependencies and the controls needed to maintain reliable service delivery.
Before progressing with wider transformation, ScotRail needed a structured assessment of its existing arrangements, a clearer understanding of the challenges and opportunities, and a practical basis for determining the changes required.
Our Approach
Antares worked closely with ScotRail stakeholders across successive phases of discovery, assessment and transformation planning.
During Phase 1, our focus was on establishing a clear understanding of the existing operational environment. Through stakeholder engagement, process reviews and structured analysis, we examined current ways of working, identified key dependencies and highlighted opportunities to improve efficiency, accountability and control.
Phase 1B built on this foundation, developing a more detailed understanding of operational requirements and the practical considerations associated with future change.
Our approach combined structured delivery management with hands-on operational analysis. We worked collaboratively with stakeholders to challenge assumptions, capture business knowledge and translate complex operational information into clear, actionable findings.
Rather than focusing solely on systems or individual processes, we considered the wider operating environment, including people, responsibilities, governance, information flows and the ability of teams to manage change alongside day-to-day service delivery.
Throughout both phases, Antares provided clarity, structure and practical recommendations, helping ScotRail establish a shared understanding of priorities and the steps required to move forward.
Outcome
The combined phases provided ScotRail with a stronger understanding of its operational landscape and a clearer basis for future transformation.
Structured discovery and stakeholder engagement helped bring together previously fragmented information, identify areas requiring improvement and establish a more consistent view of operational requirements and dependencies.
The work supported more informed planning and decision-making, creating a foundation for subsequent transformation activity, including the development of more clearly defined processes, stronger operational controls and improved business readiness.
By combining delivery discipline with practical operational expertise, Antares helped ScotRail move from understanding its existing challenges towards defining a clearer, more controlled path for change.
