Managing ongoing implementation
It is important to realise that implementation is not a one-off process. Certainly there will be a point where the system goes 'live' and staff will require the training, and/or policies and procedures and support to ensure the transition is a straight forward one. This will be the main thrust of your implementation, and the main expense.
However, staff may change and even existing staff need to be regularly reminded of responsibilities and methods. Therefore you should budget for, and ensure the implementation of:
- mechanisms to monitor staff usage of the system and to detect problems (see Step H: Post implementation review for further information)
- regular refresher courses or briefings, which can focus on their responsibilities and the whole system or particular aspects that may be problematic, and
- training or advice for new staff members on their responsibilities and the system itself.
Tip: Give staff assistance to change and evolve
Remember the adage from Charles Darwin 'It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, it is the one that is most adaptable to change.' Any assistance you can give to help staff to adapt to the changes facing them in the short and the long term can help you in achieving success with your project.
