Post Implementation Services
The services described here apply to organizations that have already deployed PD-Trak.
Key Questions for Existing PD-Trak Users
- Are you getting the most out of your deployed PD-Trak system?
- Are your fundamental processes effective?
- Do your people have sufficient knowledge to execute these processes effectively?
- Do you have new employees that need to be trained?
- Do you have the right tools?
- Are there other areas of your business that might benefit from the structure of PD-Trak, giving management a broader view of project activity across the company?
This page describes our incremental approach to helping our existing clients get the most from their PD-Trak investment.
Maximizing Project Success
Maximizing project success is a journey. Our consultants are here to help you on your journey as you incrementally improve in key areas to achieve this important goal.
Key success factors include:
- Effective processes
- People with competence in key areas
- Tools that simplify the implementation of these processes and facilitate good decision making
When PD-Trak is first deployed, we generally provide training in the use of the tool and the underlying processes. The rollout of the software and the initial training usually results in a major improvement in effective project execution. However, there will be substantial opportunities for ongoing improvement.
Maximizing overall project performance requires an ongoing effort to optimize:
- Portfolio and resource management
- Product development process, practices and methods
- Project management
- Stage / phase-gate review process (incremental project approval process)
In each case, the process definition must be based on proven principles, the people involved need competence (training), and tools are needed to simply the implementation of the process (PD-Trak). Most companies cannot cope with a full implementation in all these areas in one step – a phased approach is advisable that allows incremental improvements in project effectiveness to be achieved while still coping with the day to day activities of running the business.
We therefore recommend a periodic assessment of performance be performed, that results in a set of next steps which move your organization closer to achieving maximum project performance.
Services to Support Ongoing Improvement
- Audit of project data to assess understanding and effective use of project management tools and compliance with your product development process
- Audit of management process effectiveness (portfolio management, stage / phase-gate process, project management, gate reviews/project approval process)
- Training for existing and new employees
- Effective use of PD-Trak tools
- Project management
- Portfolio and resource management
- Conducting gate reviews
- Assistance for other parts of your organization in utilizing PD-Trak
- Understanding the value of PD-Trak; facilitating the decision to use the tools
- Setting up one or more new business areas (Multiple Project Portfolio Management) in PD-Trak
- Developing other project process templates
- Expanding the resource pool
- Training for new users
- PD-Trak tool improvements
- Upgrades to latest software version
- Apply additional PD-Trak software tools
- Develop new tools
- Customize (Software Customization) your software and integrate it with other applications
- Product development consulting
- Training and assistance with improving product development practices such as voice of the customer, requirements definition, design for manufacturability, product launch, etc.
- Implementing lean product development practices
Implementation Planning
Your PD-Trak consultant will work with your organization to identify next steps and develop an improvement plan that reflects your specific situation, needs and priorities. Contact us today to continue with your next steps.