Clients First Implementation Methodology
Clients First Implementation Methodology
Clients First Implementation Methodology
Introduction
Clients First Business Solutions has more than 16 years experience implementing ERP
solutions in a wide range of organizations. To date the total number of implementations
exceeds 250. For each of our implementations we follow a methodology that minimizes
risk, keep the project on track and results in a system that meets clients’ needs.
In order to provide our clients with a maximum of control over the project, the Clients
First Implementation Methodology provides very clear stages in the project during which
certain steps must be taken and milestones must be reached -- all in close cooperation
between the Customer and Clients First. Clients First implementation Methodology
occurs in 5 stages:
1. Project Launch
2. White Board Sessions and System Configuration
3. Conferences Room Pilot (CRP)
4. Testing and Training
5. Go-Live
This document will review each of these stages.
Stage 1: Project Launch
During the project launch, the formalities of the project are taken care of. This includes
the setting up of the project organization, assigning the project manager(s) and the start
of the writing of the Project Charter for the project.
• Project Team Composition
For a complete and successful implementation project, composing the right project
team is of key importance. The members of the project team will be closely involved
with the complete setup and configuration of the system and will act as first line
support for the users in the operational stage. Not only should the project team
contain the right people in the right place, the project organization of both the
customer and Clients First will mirror each other where possible. For example, both
organizations must have a project manager assigned to the project. Experience has
shown that a well-balanced project team can achieve better results in a shorter time.
• The Project Charter
The project manager of Clients First writes the Project Charter. The Project Charter
contains all agreements about the implementation project. A Project Charter is
written according to a specific template to ensure all aspects and subjects in an
implementation project or conversion project are covered. The specifics for the
individual project are determined in sessions with the Project Manager of Clients
First and documented in the Project Charter.
Because we execute the implementation in specified steps and stages, the
involvement of the individual project organization members will also be specified for
each step and stage. The Project Charter will contain the budget required for the
activities of the Clients First consultants and project manager. Based on the Project
Charter, the Project Manager will conduct regular meetings to discuss the status and
progress of the project. These meetings will result in a Progress Report which
document the status of the project.
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transferred from the previous system to the new system. In addition, the final data
migrations and conversions take place in this stage. Planning and timing of these
activities is of vital importance to ensure a smooth transition. The experience of the
Clients First project manager and consultants and a detailed activity plan ensure the
project team will be successful in bringing the system online. In addition,
arrangements will have been made to ensure support on site to help the organization
in the first few weeks of operational use.
• Go Live
This is the official 'Monday Morning' when the system goes live. The new system
now will handle all daily operations
• Project Closure and Evaluation
Within 4 weeks after going live, the project we will officially close and evaluate the
project, in joint session, with the project team and the Clients First consultant(s) and
project manager.
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CLIENTS CLIENT
FIRST COMPANY
Executive Project Steering Review project scope and
Implementation Manager Committee objectives
Strategy & Project Complete Functionality
Manager Matrices
protocol
Manager responsibilities
Training Strategy Project Project Define method of delivering
Manager Manager & training to the end users
Super
Users
Define first-level Project Project First-Level project plan with
project Plan Manager Manager details on the Elaborate stage
Develop overall project time-
line
Develop project budget
environment
Environment Quality Clients First Technical Ensure that the initial
Assurance Technical Operations environment is optimally
Lead tuned and ready for the
implementation to proceed
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CLIENTS CLIENT
FIRST COMPANY
X X 1. Initial Project Plan
STAGE DELIVERABLES X 2. Project Charter
X X 3. Project Budget
X 4. Completed Functionality
Matrices
X 5. Issues Log
X X 6. Standard Meeting Schedule
& Agenda
Functionality Fit/Gap Clients First Project Review current business
Team Manager & processes
Super Map business process to the
Users delivered MAS500
functionality
Execute White Board
Sessions with end users to
verify fit and identify any
gaps in functionality
Where possible, develop
workarounds or re-engineer
FUNCTIONAL
automated conversion
methods
Perform data mapping and
technical specifications
Interface Analysis Clients First Project Confirm required interfaces,
Team Manager, inbound vs. outbound,
Super frequency and required fields
Users and Perform data mapping and
Technical technical specifications
Team
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CLIENTS CLIENT
FIRST COMPANY
Develop Detailed Project Project Develop detailed project plan
Implementation Plan Manager Manager o Technical project
plan
o Testing project plan
OVERALL
o Training project
plan
o Production
readiness project
plan
Review project plan with
Management Team
X X 1. Final Fit/Gap
STAGE DELIVERABLES recommendations
X X 2. Functional specifications for
data conversions,
interfaces, reports and
X customizations
3. Technical specifications for
data conversions,
interfaces, reports and
customizations
X X 4. Updated project plan
X 5. Initially configured system
Develop Final System Clients First Project Complete the final functional
Configuration Team Manager and system configuration based
FUNCTIONAL
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CLIENTS CLIENT
FIRST COMPANY
X 1. Configuration specifications
STAGE DELIVERABLES X 2. Updated technical
specifications
X X 3. Test Scripts
End User Training Clients First Super Lead sessions with end users
Team Users to demonstrate how they will
execute their job functions in
the new software
TESTING AND TRAINING
Team required)
X 1. Training database
STAGE DELIVERABLES X 2. Training manuals
X X 3. Communications Plan
X 4. Working Software (End User
signoff on UAT)
X 5. Working Interfaces (End
User signoff on UAT)
X 6. Working Data Conversion
Routines (End User signoff
on UAT)
X 7. Working Reports (as
identified)
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CLIENTS CLIENT
FIRST COMPANY
Train the Training Unit Clients First Super Provide final Q&A to Super
FUNCTIONAL
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