1 Introduction
1.1 Purpose
The aim of the implementation plan is to guide the team in the implementation of the new. Implementation plan provides a systematic approach to implementation of a new project. The system to be implanted is a new new accounting system in a growing manufacturing company with production facilities domestically and internationally.
1.2 System Overview
The new accounting system is an application system that will enable the company to manage the financial record effectively. The system is supposed to capture the accounting information of the company and help in processing transactions.
1.2.1 System Description
The system will use an oracle database system and it will be a stand alone system. Accountants will be the authorized individuals to access into the system and key financial details. The details will be stored in a database which can be retrieved for printing reports and other uses. The internal transactions and expenditures will be automated by the system.
1.2.2 Assumptions and Constraints
The implementation plan assumes that the schedule for the project implementation has been approved. The budget for implementation is also assumed to have been approved and necessary funds availed for the plan to kick off. There is enough resources and skilled labor that will help in the implementation of the project. The resources and labor will not be reallocated to other projects within the organization. The new software and other technological resources needed for the project is available either acquired or will be reused. The constraints which are as a result of the new interface are assumed not to occur during the implementation phase.
2 Management Overview
The management of the plan will be led by the project manager, assisted by the assistant project manager together with the entire implementation team. The major task will be to identify the approach, deployment, installation and implementation of the new accounting system.
2.1 Description of Implementation
Since the new system requires new hardware specifications. The computer systems in the accounting office will be upgraded to meet the requirements. The new system software will be deployed in the systems and configured to meet the requirements of the organizations. The parallel implementation method will be used in the implementation of the new system.
2.2 Major Tasks
This section provides the tasks that will be undertaken in implementing the project. Parallel approach will be used in the implementation of a new system. A parallel approach is where the new accounting system will be run alongside the old accounting system of the company. This method is selected since accounts will be able to refer to the older system if there is any change in terminology. The team will also be able to know if the new system is working according to the expectations sine the end product is supposed to be similar. The risk involved in the new system is reduced since operations will not stop if the new system fails. Direct changeover could have resulted in a situation where if the new system does not work according to the specification then the whole company operations have to be stopped. Training becomes easier where the system users can train themselves using the two systems.
Tasks
1. Overall planning and coordination for implementation- this task will require planning of the entire implementation process and select individuals who will head different sections in the implementation process.
2. Train the personnel - this is the team that will be used in the implementation process. They have to be trained on the new system and the overall project to be undertaken.
3. Prepare guidelines for implementation of the new system – this is standard procedures that will be followed. To ensure a safe and healthy working environment each member of the team will be required to follow the procedures laid down. The guidelines also provide the procedure on how team members communicate to each other.
4. Acquire the technical assistance needed- this may be having assistance in areas where the team is not able or they do not have expertise in that area. They will look the assistance either internally or from external sources.
5. Site survey – this enables the team members to familiarize themselves with the new working environment. It also helps in planning where details have been overlooked on paper.
6. Validate all the required materials for implementation
7. Assign tasks to personnel for implementation
8. Buy special hardware and software – to meet the requirements of the new system.
9. Data convertion- the old system may have a different format of data from the new system hence conversion is necessary.
10. Prepare site facilities for implementation
11. Implement the new accounting system
2.4 Implementation Schedule
References
Andersen, E.S., Grude, K.V., and Hang, T. 1995. Goal Directed Project Management: Effective techniques and strategies (trans. From Norwegian by Roberta Wiig), 2nd edn. London: Kogan Page.
Azzopardi, S. 2009. The Evolution of Project Management. Retrieved May 26, 2009, from www.projectsmart.co.uk
Bower, P. 2009. Risk Management Options. Retrieved January 15, 2009 retrieved from; www.projectsmart.co.uk.
Mathis, M. 2009. Work Breakdown Structure: Purpose, Process and Pitfalls. Retrieved June 18, 2009 from www.projectsmart.co.uk
