that is not the case. Even if you answer yes to all
of the above, it does not indicate that all of the benefits have
been realized.
How can this be? |
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During the time from project initiation to
completion many months may have passed. Your
business is not static, it continued to change during that time.
Adjustments may have been made along the way to ensure the
technology fit the current business state, but change continues
after the launch date.
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Issues may have been forecasted, but events
occur after implementation that you could not have known about
prior. And even forecasted occurrences may have not developed
exactly as anticipated.
|
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The innate complexity of the technology has
prevented it from achieving optimum success.
|
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Dealing with moving targets, such as shifting
markets, business strategies, organization structure etc.
|
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These issues leave the door open for potential
improvement. The current mindset of many is to blame the technology and/or
lack of ROI, but that is limiting and will result in unrealized returns.
Not convinced? Following are some symptomatic questions to ask
yourself. The answers will point you in the direction of
undiscovered opportunities. |
|
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Is decision making more complicated now due to
missing, conflicting or incorrect data?
|
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Are there autonomous systems being used that
circumvent the advantages of the information technology? If you
answer no, are you sure?
|
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Are the types of complaints received from your
customers different from the past?
|
- Do you know if everyone entering data
understands what information should be entered where, and the
significance of each data element?
|
- Are operating costs higher in some
business units while other units experience lower costs?
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It is hard to say where the best
returns can be found within your unique environment, but there are several
areas where they often hide, as illustrated above. It is up to you
to determine which ones are the most likely to yield the greatest results
and then work on the others to gain even more benefits. No one
person within the organization can confidently answer these questions.
Be sure to elicit the help of all those concerned.
Do not settle for a good return on your investment, experience the
full return. |
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