Chapter 19

Systems Implementation

How to acquire?• RFP

– standardized request for proposal– quantify firms wants and needs– saves time– simplifies decision-making– reduces errors– avoids disagreements

Outsourcing

• Potential cost savings

• Advantage - use systems professionals– IBM / EDS example

• Disadvantage - lack of industry knowledge– Blue Cross example

Before Acceptance• Development Documentation

– system explanation– system flowcharts– essentially copies of each I/O screen

• Operations Documentation– file/DB relationships and access– security

• User Documentation– procedures and training manuals

• Your focus - pick one

Testing the System

• Walk-through– early in design and throughout the process

• Processing test transactions– mistakes - remove the test data Goretex/D&T

• Acceptance test– real data, real users– add a significant time period for testing– include FYI and all reporting cycles

Conversion Processes

• Direct conversion– be very, very careful to thoroughly test first

• Parallel conversion– operate old and new simultaneous– cost/benefit questions, but still my favorite

• Phase-in of modules

• Pilot conversion– okay with diverse business units

Project Completion

• Post-Implementation Review– time enough for all problems to be resolved

• Team member refusal to respond example

Again, this text has numerous good sample surveys and questionnaires to guide you.