Last fall, I watched a road crew repave a nearby street. As I observed their process, tools, and methodology, I couldn’t help but draw parallels to implementation projects, systems and business transformations.
- First, a team assessed the street, marking up sections that needed attention. (Assessment Phase)
- Then, they posted signs notifying residents when the work would happen, ensuring cars weren’t parked in the way. (Communications & Change Management)
- On the scheduled day, they blocked off the street to prevent interference. (Project Prep & Kickoff)
- A crew trimmed tree branches to allow their trucks to pass through without issues. (Workshops, Data Analysis & Cleanup)
- Another team marked the areas that needed leveling. (Process, Workflows & Business Flows)
- Then, a crew removed the old asphalt and prepped the surface, filling in uneven sections. (Initial Setup, Configuration & Data Conversion)
- The final paving team laid down the new surface, sealing the job. (UAT & Final Data Conversion)
- Lastly, the first team returned to review and inspect the work. (Final Validation & Signoff)
Everything seemed well-executed. The street looked smooth and fresh.
But there was a problem, the connection to the side street wasn’t seamless. The elevation was off, creating a rough connection. Cars now slow down at the junction to avoid bumps.
So, what went wrong?
Each team did their part. The process was followed. Yet, the integration, the crucial connection, was overlooked. Maybe they ran out of time or budget.
Either way, the final signoff was done without true ownership, accountability, or a passion for getting it right. And months later, the problem remains unaddressed.
Now, why does this matter?
Many organizations operate lean, bringing in external partners, vendors, and temporary teams for big implementations.
These experts execute their scope efficiently. But what about your internal team?
Your staff already has a full-time job. They lack bandwidth and often the experience to fully engage and take ownership of the outcome.
One solution? Allocate budget to bring in temporary resources to cover their day-to-day tasks so they can focus on the transformation.
But even that’s not enough.
You need someone within your team who understands both business and system need.
However, most internal people don’t have current firsthand experience of managing these implementations from end to end, not to mention the vendor and partner teams who have their own challenges to work through.
Because, in the end, a smooth road isn’t just about the surface, it’s about making sure the whole journey is seamless. I have lost count of the number of projects that have gone off track and I was brought on to help correct and turn them around to a successful completion.
This is where an independent advisor is critical.
Someone who isn’t tied to a vendor or partner.
Someone without bias.
Someone who deeply understands your systems, business, and implementation. Someone who has been through this before and can anticipate roadblocks before they become problems.
Someone who works only for you, ensuring accountability, guiding teams, and advocating for your best interests every step of the way.
This is where Eksperts have a proven track record.
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