bp
restoring confidence
building approaches, engagements and relationships
Bioverse is a digital platform designed to support cost-advantaged compliance across the Biofuels value chain. Over a two year period I developed solutions for sustainability tracking and performance management across co-processing activities for multiple countries and business units.
Initially focused on Spain and the United States, Bioverse aims to provide a unified solution of tools and services including document management, mass balance tracking, and cost calculation.
The tools, created with the business users, support their compliance and reporting needs ensuring they are able to meet the requirements of national and regional directives such as RED II as well as working within standards such as those offered by ISCC, and national systems.
These solutions ensure constant optimisiation, traceability and auditability across the biofuels supply chain. Raising confidence and avoiding risk.
Challenges
Fragmented Processes and Divergent Needs: Early research revealed that while high-level processes for co-processing were similar across regions, the underlying business processes, tools, and compliance requirements varied significantly between countries like Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and the US. This made it impossible to create a single, globally aligned solution without significant customization for each market.
Manual, Error-Prone Workflows: Prior to Bioverse, document management and mass balance tracking relied heavily on manual data entry, Excel spreadsheets, and email-based workflows. This approach was inefficient, error-prone, and created barriers to scaling and standardizing compliance processes.
Change Management and User Adoption: Transitioning users from familiar manual processes to a digital system presented significant change management challenges. Users expressed anxiety about increased workload, loss of control, and the perceived value of the new platform.
Technical and Organizational Silos: Multiple teams working in parallel on similar features (e.g., document manager) led to duplicated effort, inconsistent user experiences, and misaligned implementations across regions. Lack of shared documentation and communication compounded these issues.
Solutions
Modular, Activity-Based Architecture: Bioverse was structured around activities (e.g., co-processing) that group related features-such as document manager, mass balance, and dashboards-into cohesive sets. This modular approach allows for regional customization while maintaining a shared foundation.
Automated Document Parsing and Mass Balance: The platform introduced automated parsing of sustainability declarations received via email, reducing manual entry. The document manager allows users to split complex documents (e.g., multiple feedstock origins) and assign them to appropriate mass balances, supporting both compliance and traceability.
Iterative Design and User Testing: Features were released as MVPs and iterated based on user feedback. Key users (e.g., Anna in Spain) were engaged in testing, with a focus on building trust and confidence in the system. Change management was supported by identifying and addressing individual pain points, not just business needs.
Performance Management Tools: Bioverse added modules for feedstock FIFO (first-in, first-out) and cost calculation, automating previously manual processes and enabling more granular, accurate reporting for both operational and financial stakeholders.
Navigation and Information Architecture Improvements: The team refined navigation to reduce cognitive load, introduced country-specific filtering, and began standardizing table patterns and interface components for consistency.
Cross-Team Alignment Efforts: Workshops and alignment sessions (e.g., in London and Madrid) were held to unify approaches across regions, clarify terminology, and reduce redundant development. The need for better documentation and possibly moving toward feature-based teams was identified as a path forward.
Observations and learnings
Standardization Requires Flexibility: True global solutions must accommodate local differences. A modular, activity-based approach enables reuse of core components while allowing for necessary customization.
Change Management Is Central: User adoption hinges on addressing both rational (process efficiency, compliance) and emotional (trust, perceived value, anxiety) factors. Storytelling, individual engagement, and incremental wins are critical to successful change.
Documentation and Communication Are Vital: As teams and features scale, shared documentation, clear design principles, and regular cross-team communication are essential to avoid duplication and ensure consistency.
Iterative Delivery Builds Trust: Releasing MVPs, gathering feedback, and showing visible improvements help build user confidence and surface real-world challenges early.
Design Is in the Details: Small interface improvements-like sticky headers, standardized tables, and intuitive navigation-have outsized impacts on usability and adoption.
Organizational Structure Shapes Outcomes: Regional silos and unclear ownership create inefficiencies and inconsistencies. Moving toward feature-based teams and shared ownership can accelerate alignment and quality.
