The project plan should be the basis for getting things done during an implementation. Without a project plan, you might as well buy a Conch and see what happens. Conch? Really? Please tell me that you got that Lord of the Flies reference. With a project plan, you’ll have some semblance of organization. (With less…
You know the ending of that blockbuster movie where the bad guys are finally destroyed, the president is saved, and all of the Executives start fist-pumping and high-fiving each other. That is what it’s like every time you implement new software. That’s why we all do it. That and the ridiculously high salaries, the…
Do you remember countless celebrities photographed with the iconic milk mustache from the 90s? That was, essentially, phase two of the Got Milk campaign. We have Goodby, Silverstein, and Partners to thank for phase one and the creation of “Got Milk?” as a campaign. Before that, Milk’s primary campaign was “Milk. It does a…
Purchasing software is complicated. Meeting with each vendor is time-consuming. It takes time to get a feel for the product. Not to mention the day job you probably have on top of being responsible for acquiring new software solutions. But when you do meet with each vendor, don’t just look for features. Look for…
When purchasing software and services, it’s easy to overlook what’s included in the services. Because, well, the software is so fancy. But if you are about to purchase software and services together, these five questions will help you get a handle on what you can expect going into the implementation. 1. Do you have a methodology…
The phrase “to leave your foot in” in soccer is analogous to behavior we sometimes see in software implementation. “To leave your foot in means to first go for the ball but continue after the ball has been won, or lost, and kick the opponent. The ‘in‘ in the phrase refers to the tackle, giving ‘in…
The Customer is Always Right. One of my Executives mentioned that to me the other day when I was speaking with them about an Irate Customer. The Customer is Always Right. That phrase has haunted me for over 15 years in software implementation. And another ten years in various service industries. That line, however,…
Software Implementation is not like Candyland. First, take a card, and move a few spots. Then, take another card, and move another few places. Repeat until the game ends. Implementation is more like chess. It requires an active mind, an understanding of the pieces on the board, an understanding of your opponent (change, in…
We all need a way to deal with irrational feedback. I love how a group of Creatives in Ireland formed Creative Catharsis to handle that kind of feedback. They created hilarious posters featuring some of the ridiculous client feedback they had received over time. Some of these will be familiar if you’ve ever been a Creative….
In the last episode of Band of Brothers, a mini-series following the US 101st Airborne Division during World War 2, the troops from Easy Company – who have been through hell and back, are struggling with their new roles. Then, the war ends — no more fighting. No more dying – or so you’d…