“Milestone Deliverables”

A Guide to Managing IT Implementation Projects

 “Milestone Deliverables”

A Guide to Managing IT Implementation Projects

Contents

Introduction ..................................................................................... 2
Drive One Leg at a Time: the 14 Milestone Trip ..................................... 3
Why Milestone Deliverables Succeeds Where Other Methodologies Fail ..... 4
A Methodology that Works for Any Implementation in Any Industry ......... 5
How You Can Master the Milestone Deliverables Methodology ................. 6
About the Author .............................................................................. 7

1
Introduction

When Pemeco was founded in 1978, the firm decided to distinguish itself from other
consulting firms by committing itself to flawless project management. We
understood that the only way our firm would stand the test of time was by setting
and meeting high expectations relating to project time, quality and cost.

Our proprietary “Milestone Deliverables” implementation methodology was born out

of this commitment. The methodology has evolved over the last 30-plus years, but
its core remains the same. Equally important: our commitment to the methodology
has never wavered.

As a result, since 1978, we have completed 50 large IT implementation and

countless smaller ones with ZERO failures. This means that all of our projects have
met key metrics relating to on-time delivery, within-budget delivery and client
satisfaction.

The Milestone Deliverables methodology succeeds where other methodologies fail

because it is a cut-to-the-chase approach to implementation. It slices through the
touchy-feely “paralysis by analysis” and endless dialogue of “consultant-speak”.
Instead, it is focused on clearly defined process and tangible results.

Since the late 1970’s, scores of Pemeco’s clients have implemented complex IT
systems. As the projects and companies became progressively more complex, our
team members avoided floundering by focusing on scope definition, rigorous
change control, and tightly monitored phase execution.

A clearly defined project roadmap is central to our Milestone Deliverables

methodology. Each roadmap is drawn using periodic signposts. At every stage of a
project, our team and the clients can look up the signposts to determine whether
they’re on the right track. Also, these signposts help them decide on detours and
corrections with minimal disruption.

The “Milestone Deliverables” methodology evolved from this roadmap analogy. It

provides a framework that structures the myriad tasks into a simple, deliverable-
oriented model.

2
Drive One Leg at a Time: the 14 Milestone Trip

Each project, like a well-organized road-trip, is broken downs into legs, or phases.
This way, the driver can focus on identifiable landmarks instead of on an
imperceptible final destination.

Specifically, the project is broken down into manageable tasks. Project tasks are
accompanied by 14 tangible deliverables, strategically sprinkled throughout the
project’s phases. Completing a deliverable signifies the completion of a particular
milestone. And this completion is often a prerequisite to the start of the next
phase.

The format of these deliverables is not set in stone. In fact, this methodology does
not intend to limit the choice of ERP, CRM, SCM, PLM, project support software,
networking gear, or any other IT technology. Nor does it intend that the sample
reports be used without modification. What is important is faithfulness to the
principle that the project team be managed to produce high-quality, tangible results
in a timely fashion.

Without further ado, the 14 Milestone Deliverables are:

1. Project and Subsidiary Plans to list project objectives and scope

2. Kickoff Presentation to signal the start of implementation execution
3. Core Team Training Courses to teach IT overviews and details
4. Business Scenario Lists to list each department’s processes
5. Blueprint White Papers to document each department’s operations
6. Gaps and Issues Database for tracking and reporting of gaps and issues
7. Change Management Plan to lay out end users’ skills upgrades
8. Walkthrough Presentations of each department’s business processes
9. 80% and 20% Scenario Scripts to detail end pilot user instructions
10.User Training Courses to teach new operating methods and technology
11.User Documentation of all deliverables
12.IT Specifications to detail customizations, interfaces, and special projects
13.Migration Plan to map out tasks for conversion and entry of legacy data
14.Cutover Plan to document the project final weeks’ tasks

3
Why Milestone Deliverables Succeeds Where Other Methodologies Fail

The Milestone Deliverables premise is simple and powerful: If you provide

managers and their teams with an ability to measure the project outputs, you will
be rewarded with an organizational culture that is focused on deliverables and
results.

Each team member benefits from managing by deliverables. Working with their
personalized work package in a simple intuitive framework, they gain instant clarity
on the scope of their assignments and associated deliverables.

And the deliverables themselves are like a good wine – they constantly improve
with age throughout the project’s lifecycle. As the team gathers more information,
and resolves outstanding problems and issues, the deliverables evolve into better
and more complete versions of themselves.

This “Milestone Deliverables” methodology is a process-oriented approach to

managing people, objectives, and tasks. It has evolved continuously over 30-plus
years and assumes that people are more effective – and better motivated – when
working towards smaller, finite goals. Completion of these goals is signified by the
production of tangible “end products”. And with this feedback, managers are
empowered to keep the project on track.

4
A Methodology that Works for Any Implementation in Any Industry

IT systems implementations are extremely complex and touch all aspects of a

business’ operations. The Milestone Deliverables methodology has been used to
implement all kinds of IT projects in a variety of companies around the world,
including:

 A multi-national provider to the worldwide nuclear power market

 A diversified multi-national manufacturing provider to aerospace, ground

defense, railroad, and fire & rescue industries

 A multi-national designer and manufacturer of pressure relief and safety

relief valves, air driven pumps, boosters, power units, and nitrogen product
boosters

 A global leader in the animal agriculture industry, providing goods and

services to the leading commercial food producers worldwide

 A leading provider of voice technologies, systems that manage patient

information, and recording solutions for contact centers, public safety and
correctional facilities

 A medium-sized plastic and fabric manufacturer and distributor

 A multi-national manufacturer and distributor of security and banking

systems

 A manufacturer and distributor of truck bodies

 A multi-national manufacturer and distributor of printer ribbons

 An international manufacturer of computer components

 An international manufacturer and distributor of bathroom accessories

 An international manufacturer and distributor of forestry equipment

 An international manufacturer and distributor of electronic musical

instruments

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How You Can Master the Milestone Deliverables Methodology

You can learn the complete Milestone Deliverables process – and how to customize
it to your organization’s needs – at Pemeco’s two-day seminar “Managing a
Successful IT Project Implementation”.

By participating in this event, you’ll learn how to:

 Drive your project to success where most fail

 Break the implementation project into easily managed tasks … making

it easier to keep your team focused and motivated

 Develop accurate budget projections … and ferret out the hidden costs
that cause most budget overruns

 Develop a realistic project timeline … and keep the project running on

schedule

 Manage “scope creep” and other project changes that distract your team
… without sacrificing your deadlines or budget

 Guarantee your IT application enhances productivity … and that it

works exactly as envisioned

 Help change your company’s culture and the way employees work … so
you get the biggest return on your ERP investment

 Build credibility with top management … so you get the support you
need for a successful IT implementation

 And much more. Full details about this event can be found at
http://www.pemeco.com/seminar

Attend & receive A FREE HALF-DAY IT PROJECT CONSULTATION. The

consultation will help you analyze your organization’s readiness to implement your IT
project, to spot the wrinkles and flaws in your implementation plan, or to get your
implementation project back on track.

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Learn more about the “Milestone Deliverables” Implementation Methodology and
Pemeco’s services: including IT readiness assessments, IT action plans.

Call: (514) 910-5079 Email: pgross@pemeco.com Website: www.pemeco.com

About the Author

Peter Gross. Pemeco’s President, has over 30 years of management consulting and
information processing experience. His cross-sector expertise in IT system
selection, business planning, corporate restructuring, and project management
spans the globe. Peter developed Pemeco’s proprietary “Milestone Deliverables”
implementation methodology. His book, “Milestone Deliverables: The Hands-
On Approach to Implementing IT Projects” sells in more than 40 countries.