Fonds d’action québécois pour le développement durable (FAQDD) plays a strategic role in supporting initiatives that promote the integration of sustainable development in Quebec. As a program manager, the organization redistributes funds entrusted by various financial partners to committed organizations, while ensuring rigorous, structured management.

Context and challenges

Against a backdrop of sustained growth and changing needs, the FAQDD decided to modernize its tools in order to maintain its level of performance and responsiveness. Already well equipped, the organization undertook a proactive approach to continuous improvement to optimize the agility of its internal processes, support collaboration between teams and respond even more effectively to the expectations of its partners.

Nexus Innovations supported this innovative approach by developing a tailor-made solution based on the Microsoft Power Platform. The result: a centralized, automated and intuitive system, aligned with the objectives of the FAQDD. This success is based on a human, methodical and collaborative approach, placing user needs at the heart of every decision. Together, we have developed a solution that is intuitive, well integrated with existing practices, and designed to support the long-term evolution of operations.

FAQDD approached this project with a clear vision: to strengthen its operational capabilities through a digital solution that was well aligned with its real needs, without compromising what was already working effectively. This included centralizing applications, eliminating potential data entry errors, simplifying internal communication and improving the applicant experience. The success of the project was measured by a reduction in manual tasks, faster processing, improved collaboration between teams and a tangible increase in user satisfaction.

Solution

The technology solution developed relies on Power Apps and Power Automate to centralize and automate processes.

Innovative elements include:

– The creation of an application to automate request management, offering a fluid interface and optimal user experience.

– Integration of existing and customized connectors to link the application to other external systems.

– Optimization of the internal process, with a direct link to the documents generated by each request in the application.

This technology was chosen for its native ability to meet non-functional requirements such as security, performance and flexibility.

Thanks to this platform, the FAQDD benefits from a custom-configured application that automates grant application management processes, centralizes strategic information and offers an optimized user experience.

The integration of connectors to other existing systems, such as accounting tools, has enhanced the fluidity of processes. This approach, combining reliability, security and scalability, has enabled FAQDD to equip itself with a solution fully adapted to its specific needs.

Adoption

Successful adoption was based on an iterative approach, with two-week improvement loops enabling rapid adjustments in line with real needs in the field. Collaborative workshops were organized to involve stakeholders from the outset of the project, and targeted training empowered super-users and administrators.

Comprehensive documentation and a hypercare period supported the transition to the new system, ensuring rapid and lasting appropriation of the solution by all FAQDD teams.

Impact on the organization and its people

The new platform has enabled us to observe concrete, measurable gains in the FAQDD’s operations. The centralization of information and the automation of certain key stages have helped to improve the fluidity of processes and limit the possibility of errors associated with repetitive manual tasks. The result is faster processing of requests, and improved coordination between teams.

Teams now have new, structured access to data, facilitating decision-making and lightening the daily administrative load. The user experience is enhanced, both for internal employees and for external requesters, who benefit from a clearer, more intuitive and more efficient process.

This digital transformation is fully in line with the FAQDD’s mission, enabling it to continue supporting sustainable development projects with rigor, agility and responsiveness. It also reflects the organizational maturity of the team, which has been able to anticipate its needs, surround itself with the right partners and invest in sustainable solutions to enhance its impact.

Project Team

Ce projet a permis de réaffirmer l’importance d’une approche itérative, de la valorisation des acquis existants dans l’environnement technologique du client et de la collaboration constante entre les équipes techniques et les utilisateurs finaux. Ces enseignements renforcent notre capacité à livrer des projets et solutions concrètes, ancrées dans la réalité des organisations et qui font réellement une différence sur le terrain.

• Guillaume Rocher : Ce qui m’a le plus marqué, c’est l’engagement marqué des clients dans le projet. Il était évident qu’ils avaient une réelle volonté d’améliorer les processus et qu’ils étaient réceptifs à nos recommandations, ce qui a grandement facilité la collaboration.

• Alicia Villeneuve : J’ai particulièrement apprécié l’opportunité de travailler sur ce projet, ainsi que sur d’autres maintenant, avec des clients pleinement engagés. Leur écoute et leur vision claire visant à améliorer les processus internes pour mieux servir la clientèle ont grandement enrichi cette expérience.

• Dominic Larochelle : J’apprécie beaucoup la flexibilité du client et leur ouverture pour une solution low-code. Ça a permis de facilement livrer des solutions qui répondent à leurs besoins et qui facilitent le travail des gens.

• Joël Vézina : J’ai apprécié la disponibilité et l’ouverture du FAQDD à se faire conseiller pour atteindre plus efficacement leurs objectifs.