KAKO SE PRIPRAVITI NA IT PROJEKT?

By: Aleš Štempihar
in Uncategorized
on 06/07/2018

The basis for an efficient and successful implementation of the project is the appropriate preparation, which, even before the planning phase, requires the implementation of a number of other, in practice, often overlooked activities. Guidance and advice and project implementation books are really great, so writing something new presents a significant challenge. On the basis of more than 70 IT projects, of which at least 50 ERP projects, I can assure that the most important preparation of the IT project is the most important. In the following, I give recommendations, one recommendation for each finger on your hand.

1. Define your business need

The IT project initiative should not contain a specific IT solution (SAP, Ax, Oracle). At first glance, it is contradictory, because we can represent the project more easily with the help of IT applications. However, it is still too early at the beginning of the IT project, as this can lead to limiting possible solutions and the feeling of imposing a predefined application. This can affect the motivation of the participants in the project.

Instead, first define the business background of the project, from which the business need for an IT project arises. This can be a problem or a problem in existing business; business opportunity for current or future business or limiting risks in business. We can also define it by describing what your organization will do if you do not implement an IT project. It is desirable to link the business need with the strategy, or you can do it in the next step.

2. Define a business holder

The first participant in the IT project is not an IT manager, but a business promoter. It is the person who is responsible for covering business needs in the form of business effects and benefits that are the true result of the project. As the real master, the owner of the project will first check or determine the connection of the project with the strategy, check the availability of resources and the suitability of the moment for the implementation of the project, and later confirm the investment in the project. Only the business holder, together with the project office (if there exists in the organization), determines the project leader and business analyst, which will be his right hand. Often we call it the sponsor of the project, which is much more than just someone who provides money for the project and formally confirms the implementation of the project.

3. Define the vision of the project

The owner of the project is also responsible for the formalized record of the main purpose of the IT project in two to three sentences. The vision of a project means the connection of a project with a business vision. It must be written in such a way that it clearly informs the utility and necessity of the project for the organization. It is a test stack for good communication of the project, as it should not be opposed to any of the participants of the project. If her, then we did not write well or we came out of the wrong business need.

4. Define a goal of an IT project

Define the short name of a project that is related to your organization's activity (eg Matica, Energy, SMartProc, UZ.klik). It is desirable to add a symbol to the name. a distinctive sign, especially if it is a longer and larger project with a larger number of different participants.

Communicate the business need, the vision of the project and the goal of the project to all the participants of the project, whereby the main carrier of this communication should be the owner of the project (sponsor).

5. Identify all participants in the IT project

Participants or stakeholders of the project are not only those employees who will implement the IT project, but also all those individuals and groups who will be under the positive or negative impact of the project. For each participant, determine his expectations, wishes and interests related to the project. Do not forget about the most important participant - the customer / buyer.

6. Design a three-level organization of the project

Only now do we define the organizational structure of the project when we assign project roles and responsibilities to individuals with names and surnames. The organizational structure must cover the three levels of project organization: management (project supervisory board, project owner, project office), project management (project manager) and implementation (project team members).

7. Identify possible approaches to the solution

Still do not describe specific applications and services, but with the participants of the project, storm ideas, with what and how will you meet your business needs and realize the vision of the project. Discuss whether the change in the business model, the change in organization, the development of new employee competences, the change in business processes, the introduction of an information solution, or a combination of the above-mentioned elements of the approach to the solution should be discussed.

8. Specify more detailed requirements

When the approach to the solution is selected, define all the necessary requirements that will enable the implementation of the IT project. Now is the time for a precise description of what solution we are looking for. If you have already implemented similar projects in the past, do not look for similarities first, but first discover the differences.

9. Calculate the return on investment

Based on well-defined requirements and project risks, best estimate the related internal and external costs that you compare with the expected business benefits and effects. The comparison shows you the expected profitability of the IT project and the time it takes to reimburse your investment in the project. Write down the project book, cost-benefit analysis.

10. Formally confirm the performace of IT projects

Before the project owner with the signing of the document preparation of the project confirm its execution, check the level of preparedness of the organization, including: financial capacity, skills, motivation and availability of human resources, the adequacy of internal and external moment for the project, the ability of the organization to absorb change, which will bring them the IT project.

Well, good luck, ...

HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE IT PROJECT?

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