Alliander accelerates the energy transition with SAP IBP 

From complex planning challenges to one rolling plan 

As a network operator, Alliander is at the heart of the energy transition. With growing demand for electricity and increasingly complex projects, planning work, people, and resources became more and more challenging. How do you ensure all the puzzle pieces fall into place at the right time and in the right location? 

McCoy provided the answer with a future-proof planning system supported by SAP Integrated Business Planning (IBP). This led to the creation of the Rolling Plan, which uses a smart Sales & Operations Planning approach. This enables joint decision-making, resulting in a unified, supported plan. The goal? Faster, smarter, and more reliable planning. 

Strategic objective 

The challenges were clear: 

• A shortage of skilled workers and services 

• Increasing pressure coming from the energy transition 

• More complex issues across the supply chain  

With the Rolling Plan, Alliander aimed to gain more control over tactical planning, demand-supply balancing, and value chain collaboration. The goal? Smarter planning, faster execution, and accelerated learning, in other words: increased execution capacity without compromising on quality.  

McCoy as a partner 

Alliander chose McCoy because of our pragmatic approach and strong focus on change. From day one, business and IT worked together using the Simply Change methodology Workshops, short iterations, and an agile approach helped to quickly build support across the organization. 

A Proof of Concept (PoC) was run alongside the implementation, ensuring a smooth transition. Previous successful projects laid the base for trust and collaboration. We contributed with expertise from multiple domains and have since become a trusted strategic partner. 

How we achieved this together 

The project began with a Proof of Concept. In a short time, it became clear how SAP IBP could support Alliander’s processes – not through a theoretical plan, but with a working prototype that immediately demonstrated value. 

This approach delivered valuable insights: 

• Quick translation of processes into SAP IBP standards 

• Mutual understanding between consultants and the business 

• Early detection of data quality issues 

Following the successful PoC, a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) was developed, after which other value chains were gradually integrated. This has positioned Alliander as a frontrunner in SAP IBP among network operators. 

The results for Alliander 

Since the introduction of the Rolling Plan, planning is no longer a static document – it has become an active part of daily operations. 

Teams work with realistic, executable scenarios. Thanks to a continuous feedback loop, they learn and adjust more quickly and effectively. Collaboration between departments has significantly improved, with everyone working from the same insights and decisions. 

The strength lies in a consistent, scalable planning cycle, with SAP IBP as the foundation. With clear dashboards and integrated end-to-end planning, the system supports daily decision-making.  

Ready for the future 

Alliander has laid a strong foundation for continued growth and flexibility. The Rolling Plan is not just a tool, but a new way of working that connects people and processes. And that’s exactly what’s needed to truly accelerate the energy transition. 

Curious how SAP IBP can help your organization plan smarter? 

Get in touch with Jacques Scheutjens (jacques.scheutjens@mccoy-partners.com) to explore the possibilities.