At that time HA had adopted a policy of using packaged software systems for all non-clinical operations and its search ended with the selection of Oracle for the three key modules to be implemented.

Based on an assessment of risks the project was carried out in phases. From 2007 the supply chain and financial modules were implemented in three stages over a 28 month period culminating in the HA Head Office and all seven hospital clusters being placed on the new systems by April 2009. Meanwhile the HR system was implemented in a "big-bang" approach going live in August 2010--as analysis showed that it would be more complex and risky to have the legacy system and new system running at the same time.

"Given the scale and complexity of HA operations and the multiple levels of staff, the project proved challenging," noted Lansley. Oracle also remarked that the HR implementation was among one of the largest single "big bang" HR projects in Asia given the extensive requirements for all 59,000 staff members.