High-Yield Methods: Technology - Process/Technology Alignment

SELECTING TECHNOLOGY

[ Aligning Technology with Process ]

Implementing streamlined and optimized process requires technology enablement. Properly aligning technology to process can run the gamut from reconfiguring or repurposing in-place systems to occasionally end-to-end system replacement – but usually falls somewhere in-between.

Steps for revising/replacing technology:

Redesign work, data & communication flows
Agree on system architecture changes
Redesign individual process for new systems
Agree on application software requirements
Identify technology categories & vendors
Work up vendor RFIs and RFPs

Issue and evaluate vendor RFIs
Decide on vendor short list
Issue and evaluate RFPs
Decide on finalists
Hold finalist demos (bake-off)
Select vendor(s)

Facilitating software selection requires not only extensive knowledge of software/telecom categories and players but large blocks of dedicated time. HYM provides both. We first form a cross-functional team of business-side members with IT representation. Keeping the team closely in the loop, we typically (but not necessarily) do most of the heavy lifting until the RFI list emerges. From there, we facilitate the actual selection process, but your team makes the decisions, a very important aspect of creating internal ownership of vendor selections.

Too many companies "spin the wheel" and select the vendor with the most compelling sales pitch, instead of painstakingly matching every functional need with system capabilities.

Along the way, we give you time to do your jobs. We handle vendor communication, sparing you hours and hours attending vendor sales pitches, many of which overpromise. Because HYM is vendor agnostic, you don’t have to worry about any providers receiving preferential treatment. And we keep our work transparent throughout, so you have the comfort of knowing where things are and why throughout.

We often help with technology implementation, including system configuration. Our process maps that helped guide the selection process also help vendors properly configure their systems. Nevertheless, correct configuration requires constant vendor-customer communication, another major time commitment - plus experience expressing business requirements through system functionality. HYM can expertly and efficiently take on these roles.

Team members and IT departments already have full-time jobs. Involving HYM in technology selection will allow you to keep doing them.