How to ensure IT Projects Deliver Organisational Benefits

With all IT projects it is imperative that you plan. Plan what you want, plan how you are going to do it and plan out what you want the project to achieve, the benefits. Identifying what benefits you want your IT projects to achieve and deliver from the start will ensure they are realised upon delivery. Too often organisations focus purely on the project’s outcomes, and whilst outcomes are necessary, they are typically functional requirements which may not always deliver an organisational benefit. Benefits must always be considered at the projects outset and engrained into the plan and delivery.

To ensure that you are considering the benefits that you want your IT project to achieve and deliver we recommend adopting an approach that is centred around creating business value and incorporates the input from key users within the business.

Step 1 – Project Briefing:

Spend time going through your software requirements and ensure that you effectively capture a thorough brief and specification. At Weston Analytics we focus on ensuring requirements are correctly captured and documented before proceeding to the build and development stage. During the briefing and specification process we would seek to understand:

  • What key functionality is required?
  • Who the users are?
  • What are the desired outcomes?
  • How do you want to access and use the software?
  • Special requirements?
  • Potential constraints

This process allows for a detailed specification to be created which will be used as the foundation for building the system. Through spending time with key users within the business you ensure that all requirements are effectively captured.

Step 2 – Design:

With the briefing process complete you enter the design stage. During this part of the process your developer will start to put together the blueprint for your requirement. At this stage, our team of highly experienced experts will work on a design for a usable prototype of your desired product or system. Communication and governance is key throughout the design stage, adopting clear approval processes, agreeing milestones and having open channels of communication ensure that the design will deliver the organisation benefits and value established during the briefing stage,

Step 3 – Prototype and Testing:

Once the design work is done, work will commence on an iterative model consisting of these steps:

  • Build
  • Test
  • Refine

During this phase of the project your developer will work with you on a series of prototypes, each one improving on the last, until the build is feature complete and ready for deployment.

It is at this stage that as an organisation you can:

  • Identify any errors in the design
  • Make any adjustments to the specification
  • Agree additional functionality
  • Consult with other stakeholders for feedback
  • Ensure the benefits of the project will be realised

This information is then fed back into the development process, ready for the next design prototype.

Step 4 – Implementation:

With the prototype iteratively improved and the desired product created, the process of implementation begins. It is at this stage that additional implementation criteria will then be considered such as:

  • Training requirements
  • Roll-out sequencing
  • Access and permissions
  • Software requirements

This stage is critical to the final delivery of the project. Ensuring users are trained, have the correct access and software requirements contribute to the successful delivery. Poorly managed project roll outs can impact the usability of the created system, therefore negatively effecting the ability to achieve the desired benefits identified at the project outset.

This simple concept for IT project delivery can help organisations create and develop value and benefits within their organisations.

Established in 2020, Weston Analytics is a technology company that creates and offers bespoke software as a service and business systems. The Weston Analytics portfolio currently includes Fatigue360, a fatigue management solution, Worksite360, a workforce management solution, and Enviro360, a waste management solution.

Contact us at sales@westonanalytics.com