Developing a Performance Management System for One of India'a Largest Oil Refinery: CPCL

Success Story

About the client

CPCL

Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) is a publicly listed refining company and a key group company of Indian Oil Corporation. It operates a 10.5 MMTPA refinery focused on producing fuels and lube base stocks, as well as a range of value-added petroleum products. Over the years, CPCL has introduced several operational and environmental initiatives, including process optimization, energy conservation measures, and the implementation of systems such as zero-discharge and sulfur-recovery plants.

Country :

India

Industry:

Oil & Gas

Business situation and requirements

CPCL already had an e-Performance Management System in place. As processes changed, their features and workflows did not align with performance planning, appraisals, and annual work cycles. This created an opportunity to streamline workflows, improve efficiency, and reduce the time employees and HR teams spend on performance-related tasks.
CPCL aimed to modernize its existing E-PMS by rebuilding it on a more current technology stack while retaining its core functionalities and workflows. The goal was to simplify performance management processes, reduce manual effort for end users, and create a more intuitive system that could be easily adopted across the organization. They were looking for a technology partner who could handle end-to-end development, from design to deployment and ongoing support. Some of their key requirements were:

  • Reengineer the existing performance management system using modern technologies and frameworks

  • Build an intuitive and user-friendly interface to drive faster adoption across teams

  • Ensure better alignment between individual performance and organizational goals

  • Introduce transparency, consistency, and efficiency in performance management processes

  • Migrate data from the existing system while maintaining data integrity and security

  • Define secure, role-based access and ownership across different user groups within the application

Solution

Unthinkable redesigned CPCL’s performance management system to better align with how teams actually work. The new platform retained familiar workflows while improving usability, scalability, and control. It simplified performance cycles, reduced manual effort, and made it easier for employees and HR teams to manage appraisals end-to-end.

Some of the key features in the solution we provided were:

Performance Management & Tracking System

CPCL’s existing e-PMS had been in place for years, but its workflows no longer mirrored how performance cycles actually ran across the refinery and corporate offices. We kept the core appraisal logic that teams were already familiar with and rebuilt the system around clearly defined roles, so that every stage of the cycle, from goal setting to final assessment, moved through the right hands without manual follow-ups.

  • Built a SaaS-based PMS aligned with existing workflows and appraisal processes
  • Enabled seamless management of performance planning, review cycles, and final appraisals
  • Structured the system around key roles such as appraisee, appraiser, reviewer, and administrators for smoother coordination
  • Captured KPIs, KRAs, and competencies to support accurate evaluations
screen showing pms module of custom hrms solution

Security & System Reliability

Performance data is among the most sensitive employee information a company holds, and CPCL, as part of the Indian Oil group, operates under strict compliance expectations. We deployed the platform in a secure cloud environment that met MSP compliance requirements and built-in safeguards against the most common threats, then tested the system extensively under load before go-live to ensure it would hold up in real conditions.

  • Deployed on a secure cloud environment with MSP compliance
  • Protected against common threats such as DDoS and unauthorized access
  • Tested for performance, load, and stability to ensure consistent system behavior
screen showing security settings of custom hrms solution

Data Migration & Structuring

Years of appraisal records, employee history, and performance data sat in CPCL’s legacy system. Losing any of it during the move wasn’t an option, since historical performance data feeds into promotions, succession planning, and compliance reviews. We used a structured ETL approach to cleanly bring everything into the new platform, validated the migrated records, and built a centralized employee database that became the single source of truth going forward.

  • Migrated existing data using a structured extract, transform, and load approach
  • Created a centralized employee database with all required attributes
  • Ensured data accuracy and continuity during the transition
screen showing table of employee data inside custom hrms solution

Training and Ongoing Support

A new system only works if people actually use it, so adoption was treated as part of the delivery rather than an afterthought. We ran on-site training sessions to walk teams through the new workflows, then stayed engaged throughout the post-launch period to address issues, push updates, and refine the system based on its use in practice.

  • Conducted onsite training to help teams adopt the new system quickly
  • Provided continuous support for issue resolution and system updates
  • Ensured smooth day-to-day usage with minimal disruption
screen showing appraisal status report

Improved User Experience

The legacy system worked, but it was built for an earlier generation of users, heavy on forms and light on visibility. CPCL wanted a platform where employees and managers could see where they stood at any point in the cycle without having to dig through screens. We redesigned the interface around dashboards and real-time updates, so the data people needed surfaced naturally instead of being buried.

  • Redesigned the interface with dashboards, charts, and real-time updates
  • Simplified navigation to reduce time spent on routine tasks
  • Made the system easier to use across different roles and experience levels
dashboard showing employee data

Scalable Technology Architecture

As a refinery operating around the clock, CPCL needed a system that performed reliably across shifts and locations. We built the platform on Java and Angular to keep it stable for the long run while supporting both web and mobile access. The architecture was sized to handle 300+ concurrent users from day one, with headroom for new modules and growing user counts as CPCL expands its digital footprint.

  • Developed using Java and Angular for web and mobile access
  • Supported 300+ concurrent users without performance issues
  • Designed the architecture to handle future expansion, including new modules and user growth
screen showing activity log of employees

Impact

The platform we developed helped Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited modernize its performance management operations, delivering measurable improvements in appraisal efficiency, data visibility, and cross-functional accountability. By automating workflows from goal setting to final assessment, the system eliminated manual follow-ups and coordination gaps that had slowed performance cycles under the legacy e-PMS.

Compliance and data integrity were strengthened through role-based access controls, audit-friendly design, and a centralized employee database that became the single source of truth for all performance-related decisions. The structured ETL migration ensured that years of historical appraisal data, which feeds directly into promotion and succession planning at CPCL, were carried over cleanly without disruption.

300+

Concurrent Users Supported Across Shifts And Locations

100%

Appraisal Cycle Digitized End-To-End

10.5 MMTPA

Refinery Workforce Brought Onto A Single Performance Platform