|
When you think about
enterprise systems like PeopleSoft, Microsoft Dynamics, or
SAP, the people in the enterprise deployment business, like
us, that are really trying to squeeze tangible value out of a
system for their customers, have a saying that goes
something like this, "It isn't about the software as much as
it is about the people."
The idea that you can
"build it and they will come" is pretty much of a myth with
EPM and all other enterprise systems and those proponents of
this and similar myths are likely just inexperienced or
looking for a quick buck. Of course no one is going to
actually say, "stand up EPM and people will use it," but if
they aren't talking compliance and people performance management
from the very start they are really hoping you buy off
on the myth and surge ahead. The standard Microsoft approach
of envisioning, definition, prototype, pilot followed by a
rapid deployment isn't going to work in the enterprise
unless a sustainable performance management system and
compliance strategy is
designed and implemented right along with the software.
As it turns out, getting
value from Microsoft's EPM system is "both about the
software and about the people." First you have to get EPM to
work technically and you have to have a technical system and
team in place to keep it working. At the same time you need
to determine what your compliance strategy is and have
your people performance management system up and
running to have any hope of getting real business value from
EPM.
A
compliance strategy needs to be realistic given your
organizational structure and culture.
This performance
management system needs to be designed, prototyped, run
through pilot and supported just like the technical side of
things.
With
a solid performance management system in place from the
start you can get results. The IS organization of one our
customers employs 500+ people and spans 20 locations
globally from Tampa to Mumbai. Their goal for EPM was
aggressive: Account for 100% of time for everyone in IS,
across all projects and non-project work, world-wide – every
week. EPM was deployed within the framework of a well
designed performance management system and inside of just
eight weeks after the go-live date, they reached a
phenomenal 96% average compliance rate weekly for everyone
in an IS culture that was pretty anti EPM!
If you are interested in
talking to us about your "people" performance issues or
ideas please don't hesitate to contact us.
|
