Project Management
The role of project management is critical to the success of any venture. At Stoneridge Software, we follow our own carefully crafted Process Centric Methodology based on Microsoft’s Sure Step implementation framework and enhanced with our own best practices from years of support and implementation experience.
As veterans of Microsoft support, the Stoneridge Software team has seen many projects struggle when the designed solutions would’ve succeeded with proper planning, staffing and the right implementation approach. We’ve achieved 100% delivery on our own customer projects and observed lessons from other failed or unstable implementations. With our breadth of knowledge and depth of experience, Stoneridge Software is able to circumvent common missteps and lead your project through to realization.
The statistics on implementation failures are a brutal indication that the importance of project management shouldn’t be taken lightly. Project management keeps your implementation organized and prioritized, minimizes scope creep, keeps the project moving, boosts morale and identifies and communicates risks. Investing in a partner with a proven track record for project management, and a clear plan for fruition gets you a giant step closer to a successful end result.
Stoneridge Software Project Management Requires Good Planning
Good planning is vital in laying the groundwork for your project’s success. We feel strongly about the work that leads up to the Kickoff Meeting, which we’ve termed the Planning Phase. The Stoneridge Planning Phase includes the Project Plan, the Project Charter, and the Kickoff Meeting.
The project charter, a key foundation for any implementation, is a high-level view of the project plan and is the basis for the kickoff meeting.
A Project Charter Has Four Main Sections:
Why?
Project Goals
These are the project key objectives, business benefits & metrics, and success factors.
What?
In and Out of Scope
It’s important to document not only what the scope “is”, but what is “out”, so that the core implementation doesn’t lose focus.
When?
Deliverables and Timelines
Phases of the project are decided and what will be delivered in each phase, in order to forecast a go-live date.
How?
Team and Governance
This is where it is decided who is serving in the various roles on the project, including the internal project team, the consulting team and any third party vendors or subcontractors.
Organizational Change Management
Another component we see as vital, is how you’re going to run the project. Stoneridge Software project managers will assist you in discussing your Organizational Change Management plan. Organizational Change Management (OCM) is a framework for managing the effect of new business processes, changes in organizational structure or cultural changes within your business. A software implementation does more than just provide a new business tool, it can have far reaching effects on how your team interacts with each other. The OCM addresses the people side of change. The OCM should first be discussed at a high level so you know what’s going to be done to help the customer team understand the change, how to handle new processes and how the new technology will get into their hands.
The Next Steps in Planning
With these steps in place, you’ll be ready for kickoff!
Change Control Process Flow
Deciding the process to make decisions regarding requests for a requirement that comes in after the fit/gap, and whether it gets added to the project
Tool / Technology
What will be used to store all of the documentation generated on the project Stoneridge Software uses a custom SharePoint site created for each customer
Identified Risks
Identifying possible roadblocks or trouble areas will provide for better results
Communication Plan
How all phases of the project will be communicated to all parties involved.
Interested in Product Management Services?
Customer SharePoint Sites
Stoneridge Software uses Customer SharePoint Sites as a project management tool. President Eric Newell reviews the creation of a site and the importance of its use in managing implementations.
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