Project Planning Phase

Project Planning is the phase in the Tour de Force implementation where both The MRH Technology Group and the client begin to anticipate and plan for the technical, human, time, and financial resources that are going to be required in order to achieve a successful implementation. Our approach views our relationship as a business partnership. In order to be successful, both companies have to understand the capabilities of each person involved in the implementation, and then communicate from the beginning to the end of the implementation.

The Project Planning Phase helps to ensure that the expectations of both companies are in sync with the goals of both companies, and these expectations are reasonable and achievable. The Project Planning Phase serves as a blue print to address the mission critical factors in the design and deployment of Tour de Force. The project plan is the foundation of any project, and the stronger that foundation, the better the chance of a successful project. Each step in the planning process needs to be carefully evaluated and agreed upon before starting any project.

The deliverables from the Project Planning Phase are the Project Plan and the completed Implementation Questionnaire. The Project Plan provides a framework for the implementation process that outlines the key milestones associated with the Tour de Force implementation. The MRH Technology Group uses Microsoft Project, as well as other tools to specify the due dates and individuals who are responsible for completing or managing the specific tasks associated with the Phases and Milestones of the Implementation Project.

The Project Plan guides each organization through each step of the software implementation, and provides a detailed outline of the scheduled project milestones organized in a timeline that allows each team member to be proactive throughout the project. Basically, the Project Plan functions as a tentative schedule of milestones to be completed during each phase of the project.

Project Kick-Off and Planning Meeting

The MRH Technology Group starts every Tour de Force implementation with a Project Kickoff and Planning Meeting. A well planned and organized Project Kickoff and Planning Meeting sets the tone for a successful project.

The Project Kickoff and Planning Meeting is designed to publicly state that the implementation project for Tour de Force is beginning, and is the first opportunity for The MRH Technology Group and the client to share the plan for leading the Tour de Force implementation project to a successful completion.

The goals of the Project Kickoff and Planning Meeting:

1. MRH and Client Project Team Members.
2. “Objectives and Strategy” section of the Questionnaire.
3. Clarification of the remaining sections of the Questionnaire.
4. Review of Project Phases and Milestones.
5. Review of the Project Schedule during the Go Live Phase.
6. Confirmation of dates for Project Status Meetings.

When the Project Kickoff and Planning Meeting is over, everyone on the Project Teams must be on the same page in order for the implementation to be successful.

Project Status Meetings need to be coordinated between the MRH Project Manager and the Client Project Manager to make sure all tasks are being completed on time by MRH and the client. Participation of all Project Team Members is very important at all Project Status Meetings during the implementation process. If Project Team Members do not complete their assigned tasks associated with the Project Milestones, delays in the implementation process may occur.

Review and Completion of Implementation Questionnaire

The Implementation Questionnaire (the Questionnaire) document is designed to provide Tour de Force clients with the overall scope of work that needs to be completed during the implementation of Tour de Force, as well as to define the key individuals that will be involved with the project from both The MRH Technology Group and the client. As a part of assuring a successful implementation, having these key individuals participate and work together in making key decisions regarding the implementation is important. Having the implementation team, as a group, complete the questions associated with the Questionnaire is extremely critical to a successful and cost efficient implementation of Tour de Force.

The Questionnaire is designed to help customers compile information about the current processes and systems within their organization, as well as to identify specific goals that the team has during the implementation of Tour de Force. The Questionnaire is used by the MRH Business, Environment, and Application Consultants that are assigned to the project to better understand the priorities and expectations during the implementation process. The Questionnaire is usually completed prior to the Project Kickoff and Planning Meeting.

During the Project Kickoff and Planning Meeting, The MRH Technology Group reviews and discusses the outline of the Questionnaire, as well as answers any questions in regards to the Questionnaire.

Review of Existing IT and Server Architecture

Following the Project Kickoff and Planning Meeting, the MRH Environment Consultant coordinates a time to meet with the Client IT Administrator to thoroughly review the existing IT and server architecture at the client site. The stability of the Tour de Force application is greatly dependent on the stability and robustness of the existing IT and server architecture at the client site. During this milestone, the MRH Environment Consultant identities any potential bottlenecks that exist related to the servers, LAN connectivity, remote connectivity, WAN bandwidth, wireless networks, or other factors that may impact the stability of Tour de Force in the client’s environment.

Scope Review of Customizations

On any project that The MRH Technology Group has quoted customizations to the client, prior to the development team beginning work on the customizations, the MRH Project Manager is responsible for thoroughly reviewing the proposed customizations with the client’s project team to make sure that everyone’s expectations of the customizations are aligned.

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