The Challenge

Like many mid-market organizations, the company faced tight internal bandwidth. The finance team needed to implement a robust FP&A solution without pulling multiple team members away from core responsibilities. At the same time, they wanted an implementation partner who could move beyond a standard playbook and tailor Planful to the realities of their business.

The Top Down CPM Approach

From the outset, Top Down CPM’s Solution Architect embedded himself as an extension of the client’s team. He took the time to quickly understand the company’s financial structure, reporting requirements, and long-term goals—ensuring the implementation aligned with how the business actually operated, not just how the software was designed.

When challenges arose, Top Down CPM didn’t hesitate to roll up their sleeves. Whether it was troubleshooting issues, adjusting configurations, or helping the team work through complex scenarios, their hands-on support kept the project moving forward without delays.

The Results

Thanks to Top Down CPM’s guidance and expertise, the client was able to complete the entire Planful implementation with just one dedicated full-time equivalent (FTE) on their side. This dramatically reduced the internal time and effort typically required for an FP&A system rollout.

Even more impressively, the project was completed ahead of schedule and under budget, delivering immediate value without the usual implementation strain. The result was not just a successful go-live, but a strong partnership built on trust, efficiency, and shared accountability for outcomes.

A Lasting Partnership

For the client, Top Down CPM proved to be more than an implementation partner. By combining deep Planful expertise with a true understanding of finance operations, Top Down CPM delivered a seamless experience that maximized value while minimizing internal disruption—laying the foundation for long-term success.