Was your system implemented by one of the major consulting firms? Never having been part of one, I can’t speak to their policies or procedures and I can only judge by the projects I’ve come into AFTER a major consulting company has left. Maybe the perception is biased because I often see poor implementations or failed projects, but I’ve seen some that are considered successful as well and frankly I’m not impressed.

In talking with people involved in projects, it seems to be the pattern that very senior consultants deal with executives at the company and sell them on the project. They’re followed by more junior people who come in and actually do the work. Like anything else, the quality varies. Unfortunately, in some cases I’ve come into, it’s been clear that the understanding of the underlying problems was lacking.

Thick reports and polished presentations don’t mean that they understand you. Look carefully to see if what you’re getting is a solution looking for twist your problem into the right form to fit it. If you start to get the feeling that you’re being overwhelmed with high level talk and it isn’t being made clear to you in your own terms what the problem really is, then maybe you’re not getting what you need.

1. Are the presentations clear and understandable, phrased in terms you would use?
2. Are you and your people involved in gathering data and the follow up analysis?
3. Are the people doing the analysis going to be there for the implementation?

If ANY of these answers are NO, you need to think carefully before you sign on the dotted line.

Let me point out, sometimes it happens that you’ll get just the right thing and everything will work as it’s supposed to. Often enough to be of concern though, it doesn’t. Slick presentations and executive presence doesn’t make for a good customer facing system. Only a systemic understanding will provide a basis for that.

Categories: System Development