There are many tools and approaches to analyzing and optimizing business and IT processes. Business solutions often have three dimensions: people, processes and systems. New systems are typically selected because the old systems no longer meet a client’s needs and may impair their growth (or worst case, provide a competitive disadvantage). These systems often require current technology, making the implementations more complex. An example is implementing a new accounting system that operates on an Oracle database (which may not exist in the organization) and requires integration with existing data marts.
Various approaches can be used in the management consulting process. Selection of systems should normally be assessed on a business case basis. The new features of the solution often require new processes to be defined and implemented to take advantage of the technology. Business Models should be defined to support the new systems. Detailed documentation, SWOT analysis, recommendations should be completed for client approval. If the organization pursues an Agile approach to project management, this will reduce the documentation levels.
Once the systems, processes and models are defined, the people must be assessed. Skills require upgrading. This leads to the application of change management. Skills need to be defined, gaps need to be assessed, and people need to be trained. Occasionally the new system leads to headcount reductions, and that process needs to be managed (i.e. who stays, who goes, who is capable of keeping up).
Each situation may call upon at least one of the core foundations of StrategicProjectSolutions:
- Process Optimization
- Program & Project Management
- PMO & IT Management
- Change Management
- Enterprise Risk Management (ERM)
- Supply Chain Management
