LIVING THROUGH CIS
…and loving it!
Keys to Happiness
Know what you don’t know
Set and communicate realistic expectations
Expect the unexpected
Before You Start
Executive sponsorship Environmental review Experienced Project Manager
Take Your Time
1997 – Deregulation Began in earnest in 2001 4 months to develop RFP 6 months to select vendor 16 month implementation
Select Vendor Wisely
50% failure rate
Prior successes
Depth of experience
Balance product and company
Contract Negotiations
Remember, we don’t speak the same language
Don’t forget incidentals and peripherals CONTINGENCY
SANE IMPLEMENTATION
Cross-functional team – area experts DEDICATED team Backfill critical positions Consider using vendor for selected tasks
PREPARE!!! Document ALL procedures
Document AND run all current reports MetersCustomersServices Financial
Data Scrub…
Correct existing data before conversion
Combine customers
Clean up addresses
Review meter data
TEST, TEST, TEST!!! Test scripts for all
processes & interfaces
Include users in testing process
Allow time to test aged data
What have you missed?
Hands on training
Train area experts
Start training early … familiarity!
Step by step procedures
Refresh before go-live
Retrain as necessary
Mock Go-Live
Schedule at least two
Financial balancing a must!
Identify items for manual input
Schedule all events!!!
…AT THE END OF THE DAY
Don’t be naïve … just because you have a requirement in the contract doesn’t mean you’ll get it
New technology is not a panacea Plan on 2-3 year post-implementation
struggle
CELEBRATE YOUR SUCCESS!
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