The Ontario Agency** Retailer Data Analytics project was a large-scale digital transformation initiative aimed at modernizing the way over 1,800+ retailers across Ontario submit and analyze their daily transactional data.

Previously, retailers manually submitted data to a certain Commission of Ontario*, a process that was time-consuming and prone to errors. The new Retailer Data Analytics Portal, powered by Microsoft Power BI, was designed to automate data ingestion, enable near real-time analytics, and empower both the Ontario Agency and retailers with valuable business insights.

Objectives

• Automate the submission of daily transactional data from retailer POS systems to the Ontario Agency.
• Replace manual data collection with a centralized, secure, and scalable online portal.
• Enable analytics and reporting for retailers, finance, supply chain, and business leadership.
• Provide 120 interactive Power BI dashboards to track key metrics across operations.
• Ensure a seamless migration from the legacy reporting process to the new digital platform.

Scope & Deliverables

The project encompassed:

• Data ingestion platform for daily retailer transactional feeds.
• Integration with multiple POS systems across 1,800+ retail stores.
• Design and deployment of over 100 Power BI dashboards and reports.
• End-to-end enterprise data management—from ingestion to analytics.
• Agile project delivery, ensuring phased rollout and continuous stakeholder feedback.

Project Management & Execution

Planning and Governance

A detailed project roadmap was developed outlining phased delivery, resource allocation, budgeting, and timelines.
Governance was maintained through:

• Architecture Review Board presentations and documentation
• Steering Committee (SteerCo) reviews and approvals
• Continuous stakeholder engagement across business units, leadership, and SMEs

Agile Delivery

The project followed a Scrum-based Agile methodology, involving:

• Creation and prioritization of the Product Backlog
• Sprint Planning, Backlog Grooming, and Release Management
• Regular Sprint Ceremonies, Demos, and Retrospectives
• Continuous monitoring of team velocity and burndown charts

Tools such as Jira and Confluence were leveraged for story management, acceptance criteria tracking, and documentation.

Solution Design & Architecture

The architecture focused on scalability, automation, and analytics. Key design principles included:

• Secure data ingestion and integration layer connecting retailer POS systems
• Automated ETL pipelines for daily transactional data
• Centralized Enterprise Data & Analytics platform for reporting and insights
• Power BI dashboards tailored to functional areas such as supply chain, finance, and retail operations

The solution provided actionable insights into sales trends, inventory turnover, and retailer performance, helping both the Agency and individual retailers make data-driven decisions.

Deployment & Change Management

Deployment was executed in phases, ensuring minimal disruption to business operations.
Key aspects included:

• Cutover and rollout planning with clear communication channels
• User training and onboarding for internal and external stakeholders
• Change management and communication strategy across Retailers, Marketing, and Training teams
• Creation of User Guides and knowledge base articles for smooth adoption

Leadership & Team Management

The project involved managing a diverse Scrum team of:

• Developers
• Solution & Data Architects
• Data Analysts & Engineers
• Quality Assurance specialists

As the project lead, responsibilities included mentoring the team, managing velocity, ensuring sprint deliverables, and maintaining alignment with business goals.

Outcomes & Impact

The Retailer Data Analytics Portal transformed how Ontario Agency’s retail ecosystem operates by:

• Enabling automated, daily data ingestion from over 1,800 retailers
• Providing real-time analytics and business intelligence dashboards
• Delivering 120 Power BI reports supporting finance, supply chain, and retail metrics
• Empowering data-driven decisions across the organization and the retailer network
• Successfully migrating from manual reporting submissions to a fully digital, scalable solution

The project was delivered on time, within budget, and successfully transitioned to business operations.

Key Takeaways

• Strong governance and stakeholder alignment ensured business confidence.
• A well-defined Agile framework improved transparency and delivery cadence.
• Data-driven architecture and analytics enabled measurable business value.
• The project set a new standard for enterprise data and analytics platforms in the public retail sector.