Risk and Return
Risk
The Return on Investment (ROI) is not apparent to sponsors and funders, or users are unable to achieve the benefits projected.
Impact
- The implementation fails.
- The customer disengages from the evaluation or pilot process.
- Previous preferences for other tools resurface.
- The customers reverts to existing, unsatisfactory systems.
Mitigating Actions
- Brand the bigger picture benefits:
- Programme / portfolio management not just project management.
- Enterprise collaboration rather than silo management.
- Start using i-lign immediately. For example,
- Compile a full project inventory.
- Table project risk information at management meetings.
- Use milestone reports in programme / project progress meetings.
- Ensure key pain points are identified. For example,
- Do you have project managers committed to using Microsoft Project only, and who will need extra coaching and encouragement to use i-lign?
- Do you have policy teams reluctant to use the software because they don't manage "projects"?
Culture and Process
Risk
i-lign impacts on culture and processes across the organisation, acting as a catalyst for change, and may also cause discomfort and uncertainty.
Impact
- Cultural shifts can be the most unsettling for any organisation.
- Can cause delays if cultural changes are not considered at the early stages and then emerge part way through the implementation.
- Can result in the disengagement of key people or failure to engage in the first place.
- Can delay the implementation as key business processes are redefined.
Mitigating Actions
- Map out the benefits that can happen as a result of cultural change. Communicate these benefits as positive.
- Define stakeholder groups early and establish a engagement programme, including regular communication of changes, benefits, opportunities to input, etc.
- Ensure that supporting project management, business/strategic planning and risk management frameworks and processes are in place or are being designed in parallel with the implementation.
- Join the i-lign user group and share experiences with other users of the solution.
Key people don't use i-lign
Risk
Key people don't adopt i-lign
Impact
- Use of tool never reaches critical mass.
- Insufficient users mean poor quality data, or lack of quality data.
- Other tools resurface causing further disengagement.
- Lack of engagement by key people allows other users to disengage.
Mitigating Actions
- Ensure the sponsor and business champions are supported by people actively using, and realising benefits, from i-lign.
- Design user training around roles and expectations of use.
- Quality assure the way the software is being used and the data being entered.
- Ensure the Programme Office (PMO) mentors and encourages i-lign users.
- Identify likely pain-points early and target communications and support to those areas.
