Empowering Ford’s Future: Building a Robust Foundation for Power Platform Governance and Productivity

Industry
Paint & Coatings Manufacturing
Challenge
Lack of process standardization, ineffective performance tracking, manual AI idea management.
Solution
Implementation of a comprehensive AI excellence framework including Standard Operating Procedures, a KPI and measurement plan, and an automated AI idea lifecycle workflow.
Technologies
Sherwin-Williams’ automation platform/system.
Tools & Frameworks
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), AI Product KPI & Measurement Framework, Automated AI Idea Lifecycle Workflow System.
Results
Standardized AI delivery processes, data-driven product evaluation, streamlined and transparent AI innovation pipeline.

About the Client
Sherwin-Williams is a global leader in the paint and coatings industry that manufactures, distributes, and sells a complete line of paints, coatings, and related products, while also providing professional services and color solutions to customers worldwide. The company serves both residential and commercial customers through its extensive network of company-operated stores, independent dealers, and direct sales channels.
Milestone 1
Assessment & RoadmapMilestone 2
Application MigrationSuccessfully migrated existing applications to standardized, dedicated environments while maintaining data integrity and creating reusable migration procedures.
Milestone 3
Environment Optimization & CoEImplemented the CoE Toolkit to optimize environment configurations and establish robust monitoring systems, ensuring consistent platform management across all environments.
Milestone 4
Governance FrameworkDeployed comprehensive security strategies and governance policies for Teams environments, including Dataverse and Copilot Studio controls, to ensure compliance and data protection.
Milestone 5
Operating Model & Knowledge TransferEstablished a sustainable operating model with ALM strategy and conducted extensive knowledge transfer sessions to empower Ford’s internal team for long-term platform management.
The Challenge
Ford’s Power Platform journey was at a critical crossroads. Their teams had great potential for innovation but lacked a clear strategic direction and robust governance framework. Their existing applications and workflows were scattered across different environments, making it difficult to maintain consistency and security. The internal team needed better tools and knowledge to manage the platform effectively, while ensuring compliance and optimal performance. It wasn’t just about implementing new solutions – it was about creating a sustainable ecosystem where Ford could innovate safely and scale their Power Platform capabilities across the organization.
The Solution
We partnered with Ford to implement a comprehensive five-milestone program that transformed their Power Platform landscape. Starting with a thorough assessment using the CoE Starter Kit, we developed a strategic roadmap that aligned with their business objectives. We then implemented a robust governance framework, optimized their environments, and established clear processes for application lifecycle management. The solution included dedicated environments for different use cases, enhanced security controls, and integration with Dataverse and Copilot Studio. Most importantly, we equipped Ford’s internal team with the knowledge and tools they needed through comprehensive knowledge transfer sessions and a well-defined operating model.
The Results
The implementation of the AI excellence framework delivered significant, tangible results for Sherwin-Williams:
Standardized, High-Quality Delivery: With comprehensive SOPs in place, teams now follow clear, repeatable processes, leading to reduced errors, improved quality, and more predictable delivery timelines for AI initiatives.
Data-Driven Decision Making: The AI Product KPI & Measurement Framework enables objective evaluation of AI product performance against defined business goals, empowering leaders to make informed decisions about investment, scaling, and strategy based on actual impact.
Streamlined Innovation Pipeline: The automated AI Idea Lifecycle Workflow brought transparency and efficiency to the front end of the AI process. Ideas are managed systematically, validated effectively, and prioritized based on strategic alignment, accelerating the progression of valuable concepts into development.
Enhanced Transparency and Collaboration: The centralized workflow and live dashboard provide real-time visibility across the entire AI innovation pipeline, fostering better communication and collaboration among stakeholders from various departments.
This pragmatic approach established a robust, scalable foundation, positioning Sherwin-Williams for continued, sustainable AI growth. It’s about making AI More. Human. by providing the structure and insights needed for people to build, manage, and benefit from it effectively.