Hi,I'm Alex

Recent highlights

  • October '24

    • I updated this website. It is now written in plain HTML and CSS. It uses 11ty to automatically generate post pages based on markdown files. This allows me to manage blog posts in markdown without getting locked into any proprietary content management systems, websites or tools.

  • September '24

    • I wrote a post on Ansoff's Grid - a simple, but useful tool for strategic planning.
    • I wrote another post on scope creep - a consistent challenge on business and technology projects.

  • August '24

    • I added a new page to track programming projects.
    • I finished the first draft of my JavaScript quick reference. This is a summary of everything covered in freeCodeCamp's JavaScript data structures and algorithms course.

  • June '24

    • I wrote a post about frameworks that can be useful tools to help structure transformation programs.
    • I wrote a post about gathering information for transformation projects.
    • I wrote an in depth article about assessing operations. This is a key part of many transformations from acquisitions integration to the rollout of new processes and systems.

  • March '24

    • I created a quick reference for the Responsive Web Design course by freeCodeCamp. This summarises everything on HTML and CSS covered in the course.

  • August '23 to March '24

    • I worked with a global recruitment company on the assessment of the operations of potential acquisitions.
    • I travelled around Asia including Tokyo, Bangkok, DaNang, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
    • I studied VBA, HTML, CSS and JavaScript.

  • June '22 to July '23

    • I moved back to the Scottish Highlands and lived in the hills above Loch Ness.
    • I spent a year buying, fixing and selling classic cars, including a 1989 Renault Alpine GTA, 1985 Toyota Landcruiser HJ60, 1985 Toyota Celica Supra and 1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am.

  • September '20 to '22

    • I led the global design and pilot implementation of SAP S/4HANA Central Finance and CO-PA for a global consumer goods company.

Featured posts

  • Operations assessment

    by Alex Roan on Jul 1, 2024

    Business transformation is a process where an organisation changes from an existing to a target operational state. Organisations spend a significant amount of effort identifying these improved target states. Corporate strategy drives this at macro level while team, department, function and business area managers are responsible for the execution at a lower level.

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  • Business and technology transformation

    by Alex Roan on Jun 25, 2020

    The chart of account (CoA) is one of the most important structures in business. It reflects all the activities a business is involved in and it provides a foundation for the majority of financial and management reporting. Correct use of the chart of accounts can both simplify operations and improve decision making capability.

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  • SAP HANA and S/4HANA - A simple guide

    by Alex Roan on Jun 3, 2020

    Recent years have seen a resurgence in large organisations taking on major SAP upgrades with the relatively new SAP business suite 4 HANA (S/4HANA) collection of applications. But what exactly is HANA? and what is S/4HANA? How is implementing or upgrading to it different from the R/3 upgrades that were significant programs for many organizations over the last few decades?

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  • Improving the record to report process

    by Alex Roan on May 18, 2020

    Starting from business transactions such as the purchase of materials, payments to employees and sale of goods and services. Ending with reporting and decision making including the submission of detailed annual reports. The 'record to report' process (RtR) is a long, complex process that involves people from across the enterprise. Despite the critical nature of this process, it’s rare to find RtR clearly documented from start to finish. I've found that few finance employees can describe the complete process. In part, this is because the process touches core operational transactions (purchases, manufacturing, sales etc.). From another perspective, it's because certain parts of the process require a high level of expertise.

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