Avoiding IMS implementation pitfalls

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AVOIDING IMS IMPLEMENTATION PITFALLS
INFOLYTICS
Avoid wasting your time and money while
implementing IMS solutions for your company
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The productivity gains and cost savings promised
by IMS solutions are often lost not because of
the technology itself but because of improper
management of implementation.
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Avoiding IMS implementation pitfalls
INFOLYTICS
Are you looking to set up an Information
Management System for your organization? Whether
it is a human resource system, a finance
management system, or a learning management
system there are quite a few challenges you must
overcome.
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In most cases, when a massive IMS solution
installation goes wrong, the management of the
organization is to blame. Failure to understand
the scale of the project, oversimplification of
the project, inappropriate expectations, and lack
of resource commitment are a few of the mistakes
made by management that debilitate the
implementation and use of the systems.
INFOLYTICS
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An NGO has decided to use a new online supply
chain management solution. The staff who are
supposed to use the system are unsure about the
ability of the system, as they do not have enough
knowledge and have received very little or no
training.
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As a result, it takes over a year for the company
to bring the solution to its full operation.
Productivity suffers severely. The final
implementation cost comes out to be several times
more than the initial budget. A large number of
companies are reporting similar difficulties with
the implementation of their IMS solutions.
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INFRASTRUCTURE
TRAINING
ENGAGEMENT
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INFRASTRUCTURE
TRAINING
ENGAGEMENT
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INFRASTRUCTURE
TRAINING
ENGAGEMENT
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IMS solutions are sophisticated systems that
encompass significant areas of the company and
its relationship with customers. Thats why the
implementation of these projects should be
carried out according to detailed plans. Here we
discuss some measures you can take to avoid
pitfalls.
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Create a well developed scope. In creating the
scope, involve all end-users of the solution, not
only the technical and business model experts but
also other stakeholders who may be affected by
the solution.
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• Get answers to the following key questions
• What is the single most important goal that the
  company is planning to reach thanks to this
  solution?
• What critical problems the solution is meant to
  solve?
• Does the solution justify the time and money to
  be spent?
• What are the implementation milestones?
• How will we know that we have reached those
  milestones?

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Once you have properly identified stakeholders,
create an implementation team with representation
from different departments and sectors. This team
should be responsible for developing the project
plan. Based on the plan thus derived, assign
resources and deadlines. Upon completion of each
stage of implementation, ensure senior management
involvement and buy-in.
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Education should cover the why side of the
solution and training the how side. Some people
need to be educated on why the solution will work
in a given way, particularly your managers. While
others, particularly those who will be working
with the solution on a day to day basis, will
need a more detailed training.
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• Identify the people that need training and those
  that require education.
• Define the objective of the education and
  training
• Define training and education criteria and select
  an appropriate syllabus
• Set the evaluation method you will use to assess
  progress and impact of your training

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Implementation should be according to a schedule
of predefined tasks. Upon completion of each
stage, get senior management involved in
reviewing progress. Conduct a reality check.
How does the solution stack up with your
expectations? Is it doing what its supposed to
do? Do you need to revise any of your
priorities?
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Once implementation is over, set up a meeting
with the project team and the stakeholders for
project review. The important thing here is to
identify if everybody involved with the project
is satisfied with the result or not. In order to
successfully implement IMS solutions, it is
crucial that you fully understand the
technologies behind them. It is recommended to
hire a consultant that you can work closely with.
In the long run, this might save you substantial
time and money.
INFOLYTICS
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Things to remember
ICT solutions are mere tools
Use strict project management
Make sure there is sound business need
Keep track of new technologies
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