Introducing change within an organization is always challenging. To aid in the transition, ensure training is provided to staff to allow them to embrace this new solution, regardless of their involvement in delivery. As with any implementation, set dates for the delivery and ensure task owners are working toward those dates. The executive should:
- Work with your technologists to ensure dedicated resources.
- Document every business decision captured in the configuration of the solution.
- Conduct walkthrough sessions of the solution withbusiness leaders and their staff to promote how the solution will be used.
Use the Solution Effectively
The solution has been implemented, data points are collected, analysis is performed and the executive is now aided in business decision-making. Will the executive still feel empowered after a month? At the end of a quarter? How about after a fiscal year? Do not assume that the work is finished once the solution is implemented. Consider the post-implementation period as a warranty period. Define progress checkpoints and have the executives and business leaders evaluate how their needs are being met. Perhaps facets of the solution are not meeting your business needs. Adjust the solution to meet the needs of the executive (documenting all changes, of course). The executive should:
- Encourage feedback from business leaders, departments, partners and other executives.
- Define when, what and to whom the output from the solution will be delivered.
- Set thresholds on the output from the solution. Ensure the documentation of identifiable actions that will be triggered from your alerts.
As you go through these phases you will gain a better understanding of your organization, and so will your staff. It is often forgotten that the organization is made up of many moving parts with specific tasks, all working together to provide a solution – for your customers. By bringing BI back to the executive, you will empower your business to work smarter and more effectively. You will have found your true “hero” and only then will you understand the powers of BI.
James Sidebotham is president of Lunar Systems, Inc., a California-based consulting company. James has been involved in numerous large-scale private & government projects across a range of sectors including child support, health & human services, transportation and logistics. He provides information management, project management and implementation expertise, based on experience gathered from over two decades as both a practitioner and consultant. He can be reached at james.sidebotham@lunar-systems.com
Be the first to comment on this post using the section below.