QIC Accelerates Investment Operations with Azure DevOps Implementation

How Australia's Leading Investment Manager Transformed Project Delivery and Achieved Greater Transparency Across Their $83bn Portfolio

Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) has one clear mission: delivering exceptional investment outcomes for its clients. Since 1991, this Queensland government-created entity has evolved into a leading specialist manager in alternatives, serving over 110 institutional investors across Australia and internationally with a portfolio exceeding $83 billion.

The Challenge: Outdated Tools Hindering Growth

As QIC pursued cost and productivity efficiencies to serve better its global client base, its technology team identified a critical bottleneck. Their existing Micro Focus Quality Centre, while reliable for years, could no longer support QIC's evolution toward a more dynamic and cost-effective delivery model.

The organisation needed a comprehensive solution that would provide end-to-end coverage from requirements gathering through to application release; something that could scale with their ambitious growth plans.

The Solution: Strategic Azure DevOps Implementation

After conducting a thorough market evaluation, QIC selected Microsoft Azure DevOps as their new application lifecycle management platform. Recognising the complexity of this transformation, they partnered with SixPivot to ensure a smooth implementation and cultural shift. SixPivot's approach focused on three key areas:

Implementation and Configuration

• Custom Azure DevOps setup tailored to QIC's specific requirements

• Seamless migration from legacy systems

• Pilot project selection to prove value before full rollout

Training and Knowledge Transfer

• Comprehensive staff training on the new toolset

• Hands-on workshops introducing agile and DevOps concepts

• Ongoing mentoring to build internal expertise

Cultural Transformation

• Establishing organisation-wide agile practices

• Process automation to improve efficiency

• Regular health checks and continuous improvement

Immediate Impact and Results

The Azure DevOps implementation delivered transformative benefits from day one:

Enhanced Visibility and Transparency

QIC gained unprecedented insight into their project portfolios through Azure DevOps boards, enabling better planning and real-time work item tracking. The new system provided the high-level transparency leadership demanded while maintaining detailed project oversight.

Streamlined Quality Assurance

Test Plans within Azure DevOps revolutionised QIC's QA management, replacing cumbersome legacy processes with integrated, efficient workflows that reduced bottlenecks and improved software quality.

Agile Project Management

The transition to organising requirements into backlogs, creating sprints, and estimating work items gave QIC the dynamic project management capabilities it needed. Day-to-day work tracking became intuitive and actionable.

Reduced Learning Curve

SixPivot's extensive customisation ensured QIC could maintain their domain terminology, significantly reducing the learning curve and facilitating faster adoption across teams.

"The SixPivot Consultants have brought a wealth of knowledge regarding agile processes and DevOps to the team at QIC. This has helped us develop a more dynamic and cost effective delivery model to our projects." - Lucy Austin, Manager, Minor Initiative

Ongoing Partnership for Continuous Improvement

The relationship between QIC and SixPivot evolved beyond initial implementation to become a strategic partnership. Monthly health checks ensure pilot projects stay on track while providing opportunities for continuous coaching and process refinement. This collaborative approach has enabled QIC to:

• Rapidly identify and resolve implementation challenges

• Continuously optimise their agile practices

• Build internal DevOps expertise and confidence

• Scale successful practices across the organisation

Building for the Future

The Azure DevOps implementation has positioned QIC for sustained growth and operational excellence. With improved project delivery capabilities, enhanced team collaboration, and streamlined processes, QIC can focus on what they do best: delivering superior investment outcomes for its clients.

The successful transformation demonstrates how the right technology platform, combined with expert guidance and cultural change management, can drive significant operational improvements even in complex, highly regulated industries like investment management.

As QIC continues to expand its global footprint and client base, its modern DevOps foundation ensures it can scale efficiently while maintaining the high standards its institutional clients expect.