Written by Steve Glaser
Completing an HCM technology project isn’t the same as ending the project management process. Did the project deliver a solution for a problem that it was designed to address? What lessons were learned during implementation to help improve a system or help with future implementations? Sometimes unforeseen issues can surface after go-live or down the road as you begin getting used to using your new HCM system. Post-implementation support can address those issues.
Here’s why you should always consider some type of post-implementation support.
Expertise
- It pays to have a consultant that understands the full life cycle of the implementation process and is well-versed in your organization’s business processes.
Post Implementation Review
- Performing a Gap Analysis to review the system to ensure the original goals of the project were met is always a beneficial exercise. If there are gaps, your support partner will help you figure out how to address these gaps.
Improve Processes and Optimization
- A consultant can help identify areas within your systems which may need further development, address issues and improve your processes to get a higher return on investment.
Solve Complex Issues
- An outside perspective helps immensely with detecting and recognizing that there is a problem, identifying the nature of the problem, and defining the problem. After that, your support partner will take time for observation, careful inspection, fact-finding and developing a clear picture of the problem to provide a solution, and will help you execute that solution.
Cross-Training
- Further system training and coaching will help Admins and Users to self-support and troubleshoot the system.
Data Management
- Over time your business processes will change, and your system will need to change with your business. An ongoing support partner will assist with ongoing data needs and conversions.
Translating business needs into technical requirements
- With any implementation there are usually “parking lot” or phase two items to implement. These items may have not been in the original scope of the project or were deemed not essential for the phase one go-live, but they are still important and should not be deprioritized. With ongoing support, you can review these items, gather new requirements and be ready to implement these phase 2 items such as rolling out additional modules.
Documentation
- Documentation is vitally important to have in order before, during, and after your implementation. Comprehensive documentation helps to tell the narrative for decisions made, and how yourself or the client responded to different situations. In this same manner, it is important to record information that can help support the proper plan and the reasoning for such services.
If you are preparing for an implementation, in the middle of one, or just completed a project, be prepared and set up the support plan that is best for your organization. At HRchitect, we not only have years of experience guiding clients to the system that’s right for their organization, we also have years of experience implementing HCM systems and partnering with our clients to train, manage, and support them post-go-live to ensure their new HCM investment continues working best for them long after the implementation.
About Steve Glaser
Steve Glaser is a Senior Consultant bringing over 8 years of consulting expertise and professional business analysis to the HRchitect team. Steve has extensive experience in configuring, documenting, testing and end-user training for Recruitment, Talent Management, and Workforce Management systems. He is dedicated to assisting business stakeholders and partners by finding the optimal solution to challenges at hand through creative problem solving, while providing excellent client service.