It's Not Just About the Product - It's Also About the Process and the People:  Laying the Foundation for Successful Implementations

Today’s read takes a look at pre-implementation.

On average, large IT implementation projects run 45% over budget and 7% over time, while delivering 56% less value than predicted¹. To combat these statistics, keep the implementation process in mind as early as when you are deciding your criteria for a care management system. The success of an implementation hinges on the quality of the implementation team, so the vendor itself needs to be evaluated alongside the features of the platform.

Here are five things to look for in a solution partner that will make a difference in your implementation.

1.  Are they Transactional or Transformational?

Are they installing software or a platform that will grow with you? Do they have an approach that allows you to evolve post initial implementation?

The healthcare landscape is changing rapidly and business needs evolve over time. For this reason, you need a solution partner whose model allows for future growth and extensibility. Without it, a company can become quickly limited by their platform.

2.  Do They Want You to be Independent?

Successful implementation models put an emphasis on knowledge transfer. You don’t want to pay a vendor to do things for you that you can do yourself, like initial configurations and updates. You also don’t want to be at the mercy of their timeframes when it comes to making these changes. A good solution partner will not force you to rely on them so that they can generate more revenue.You will find greater value in the product when you have a solution partner that works with you to create a sound foundation for your current operations and provides you with the tools and empowers you to be self-sufficient post implementation.

3.  Are They Flexible?

Are they able to support both small and large engagements? Look for a solution partner whose implementation methodology is scalable, and you can increase the likelihood of an on-time implementation.

Are you able to choose the features that you want? A solution partner who has an a la carte, modular model understands that not all companies have the same needs. This kind of model won’t leave you with unnecessary features that create noise for your users. It also won’t leave you wanting features that exist in a package with more functionality than you need. Being able to choose what is necessary for your go-live helps to keep your implementation on time and on budget.

4.  How Do They Measure Their Success?

One factor that can cause an implementation to run over time is the vendor’s success metrics. A team that focuses on billable hours has less incentive to finish an implementation on time as opposed to one that focuses on client satisfaction.

5.  Do They Have Good References?

Talk to clients that have used the solution partner. How were they treated? Was their implementation on time and on budget?  

Taking the time to learn who a solution partner is and not just what their product does will pay off greatly. For more information, visit the links below. And stay tuned for our next post to learn how to successfully kick-off an implementation with your chosen vendor.