What’s the real cost of integration for Tech enabled transformation?
Ask any seasoned C Level Executive, Programme and Delivery Manager, and they will tell you that the common issues they face in transformation delivery include Data, Business Readiness and Integrations…….
On the latter point, we need to delve a bit deeper as the mere mention of integration conjurors up the image of coding, DevOps and lots of complexity……that’s not what we are talking about here!
The real cost of integration is the cost of integrating your business with a new technical solution. The hard reality that your business processes, ways of working and ‘uniqueness’ do not align to the standard processes that are pre-configured in your shiny new ERP Platform.
It’s clearly not advisable on any level to replicate your existing business processes; it defeats the entire purpose of transformation.
However, transformations often stall as businesses struggle to make critical design decisions or flatly refuse to change how they currently operate. This can result in a million spreadsheet workarounds and a user community in open rebellion! At this stage, your business case is usually shot as well!
“Hang on……the procurement process checked this already I hear you scream”
Yes, fair point and one to explore briefly………
Most procurement processes start with a set of requirements or capabilities which tend to be pitched at a more generic level and allows vendors to quickly ‘tick the Yes box’ on their responses. The critical difference is how the solution meets these requirements, and this is where the real cost of integration lies and once the vendor is appointed where the problem starts to crystallise.
What’s the solution
It goes without staying that a robust procurement process and demonstration from suppliers is fundamental for any new solution.
Truly drilling down to what business processes support your USP is key to retaining control of these and thus allowing for all other processes to default to standard, ‘out of the box’ deployment.
“If you are not prepared to change, why are you investing in transformation”?
Understanding the real cost of integrating the standard solution to your business process model should be completed as part of the initial planning and mobilisation sessions and decisions taken early to agree on the scope and importantly what can-not be delivered through the programme. This is also key for managing expectations of both senior stakeholders and users of all levels.
It can often take some pragmatism and bold decision making but is an essential part of delivering a successful programme on time, to the desired level of quality and without exponential cost growth.
How can Actus Verto help?
At Actus Verto we have a proven change delivery capability, with a unique and successful methodology, first-class resources and best practice toolkits to get the job done. We also have extensive experience of blending cloud tech, business processes and people to drive value.
We are specialists in both upfront supplier and solution due diligence and capability mapping your organisation to identify the real differentiators along with the more quirky business processes that should be aligned to standard solution processes.
Our Business Process Model approach is the foundation of managing the real cost of integration, and our innovative methodology also allows for rapid issue escalation, decision making and resolution to keep you on track.
