Successfully implementing information technologies can be a daunting task for IT managers and business leaders. Companies must realize that IT is no “silver-bullet”, but is a vital business enabler, and must be managed carefully. The far too common reality is that major IT systems implementations are complex, expensive, and risky.
A few colleagues of mine at USF and I recently completed an analysis and review of IT systems implementations — compiling some key “lessons learned” from cases over the last 10 years covering both enterprise and mid-market companies. In many ways these lessons can also be applied to smaller organizations.
Summary of “Lessons learned”:
- Companies must realize that the IT-Reliant system is often not the problem, it is usually the support and processes surrounding the system that prove to be the limiting factors.
- The decision making process has become more complex as emerging technology allows programs to make certain decisions for us.
- Technology alone does not solve business or personal problems. It must be implemented by people who understand actual business requirements and are disciplined in their approach to implementing it.
- Implementation of ERP systems often involves major changes in work systems, organization, and culture.
- If a process is not core to an organization’s business strategy, there could be cost, quality, and scale advantages to outsourcing it.
- When outsourcing a system, it is generally a good idea to keep strategic direction, planning, and architecture design in-house.
- Successfully implementing outsourcing arrangements requires careful planning, monitoring, and “life-cycle” management.
This work was created by Gail Kawakami, Raymond Lopez, Charles du Mée, and Byron Kennedy at the University of San Francisco, in April of 2008, and was prepared in the context of some ongoing work with Steve Alter’s “The Work System Method” (www.worksystempress.com).
Our work is being made available for educational and development purposes. Whether you’re an IT manager, a business leader, a curious professional, or a student, we hope you find it both interesting and thought-provoking.
The complete document is here: Download IT_Sys_Imp_Apr_2008.pdf .
To learn more about Kennedy Technology Group, please visit us at http://www.kennedytechgroup.com/.
