I know it’s cheesy to take a TV show title and play with it this way but you stopped to see what I wrote didn’t you? OK so since you took time to begin this post, hopefully I can keep your attention. What I am talking about here is the idea that ECM environments can be implanted in a Big Bang effort. I would say for a small organization, perhaps, but in an organization that is global with over 50 thousand employees, not likely. It would be a series of little bangs to get there, not one shot over night.
This requires a clear definition of scope. When I talk about scope I mean there are several key areas of focus that need to be taken into consideration and require planning. These include but may not be limited to:
· Geography
· Organization
· Legacy content
· Information types and classes
· Platform
Many organizations I have spoken with often talk about big bang implementations yet when you really look at what was or is being done, they are actually talking about incremental projects and to a degree, based on some of the elements of scope I have presented to you here.
In my view, unless you fully understand the scope of a program and project, you will find that your project will likely not meet the full expectations of management and the user community. Defining your scope not only sets the proper expectations but it may also uncover some aspects related to your program that were unknown or not fully understood. As an example, the employees in your US offices may be ready to embrace change and the new directions for the company but in your other offices, the employees may be reluctant or resistant due to the cultural impact. If you are not aware of this, you will have difficulties in implementing and gaining user adoption.
If you are ready to move forward and are finding yourself stuck or unfocused and are not sure where to begin or what to do next, seek professional assistance and/or training to get you started. Be sure to investigate AIIM's Enterprise Content Management training program.
And be sure to read the AIIM Training Briefing on ECM (authored by yours truly). Click on this link to download and read. http://pages2.aiim.org/ecm_collaboration_social_business.html
What say you? Do you have a story to tell? What are your thoughts on this topic? Do you have a topic of interest you would like discussed in this forum? Let me know.
Bob Larrivee, Director and Industry Advisor – AIIM
Email me: blarrivee@aiim.org
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www.aiim.org/training