Approach

Typically, most business owners don't think, "Hey, I need a Systems Analyst!" when they encounter an operational  problem in their business.  But in many cases, that is exactly what they need.

Over the past 20+ years, we have had many opportunities to work with business owners and executives to develop solutions to business problems.  As we have grown in this, we have come to see each problem as an opportunity to not only make operational improvements, but to study the organization itself and help to re-align systems and operations to bring improvement to the overall function of the business.

For example, we were handed a flowchart that showed 25 different decisions that had to be made by a caseworker, to determine whether a client was eligible for certain social services.  We were asked, "Can you write a computer program to do all of this?  It's too complicated for the average caseworker to use successfully."  In this instance, it took many hours studying the job of the caseworker, to determine exactly how they did their job, but a complete "Caseworker's Workbench" was the result -- not just a software program.  Every piece of data they had to manage was at their fingertips, and every form and report they had to produce each month was automated to print out with a single command. Suddenly what had been drudgery became exciting and empowering -- just doing their regular job took on a whole new perspective and meaning.

In another example, we were asked to develop a bidding system for an oilfield services company that had grown so fast that their bank was no longer satisfied with their informal project bidding approach.  We spent time with the owner of the company -- who was also the chief salesman -- to learn all of the various factors required to create a project bid. We then created a spreadsheet that allowed the salesman to plug in just the factors that were variable on that particular project.  All of the static information (which remained consistent from project to project) was programmed in. The result was a bidding tool so effective that it merited a presentation to the president of their bank! And it was credited with helping turn around the financial status of the company.

And it is not just custom software that can be created.  We also implement solutions that call for the skills of a "systems integrator."  This means that we can take existing devices and blend them together into a complete solution. This could include computers, printers, bar-code wands, software, databases (existing or custom-built), networks, the Internet, websites, surveillance cameras, and so forth.  If it is a digital device, we can probably integrate it into your company's operation and create a true working solution -- not just a "band-aid".

So, our approach is to blend classic Systems Analysis with the digital revolution to create business solutions that are strategic, functional, and that stand the test of time.

Project Approach

In the typical scenario, we are brought in to solve a particular problem within an organization, and the scope of the problem is vague or unknown, and the general consensus is "We've never been this way before."

To create a path to the solution in as effective, yet low-risk, manner as possible, we have developed the following "generic" three-phase approach to problem-solving: Preliminary Assessment, Detailed Analysis, and Solution Implementation. Over the years, we have seen this pattern's value in a variety of different settings and project sizes.

Phase 1 - Preliminary Assessment

In the Preliminary Assessment phase, we spend time with the organization's leadership team, to define the following:
  • The (real) Problem Statement
  • The Strategic View of the Organization and It's Needs
  • The Boundaries and Scope of the Problem
  • The General Design of the Solution
In general terms, this phase usually takes 8 to 16 hours and includes one primary meeting with the leadership team.

The outcome (deliverable) from this phase is the Preliminary Assessment Report.

Phase 2 - Detailed Analysis

In the Detailed Analysis phase, we drill down to the details about problem, including:

  • Inventory of all related systems and related components, resources, documentation, etc.
  • Interviews with members of the leadership team
  • Interviews with key staff members (SME's - subject matter experts)
  • Assimilation of all pertinent project data
  • Construction of detailed models (blueprints) of the solution
  • Presentation of proposed solution to the leadership team
  • Facilitation (in a group setting) of refinements to the proposed solution
  • Confirmation of alignment of proposed solution with strategic direction of the organization
  • Negotiation of details of implementation of solution
Depending on the size and scope of the problem, this phase generally takes from two to six weeks.

The deliverable from this phase is the Detailed Analysis Report.  It is made up of three main sections:
  • Detailed Analysis (detailed organizational impact assessment, problem statement, and solution parameters)
  • Preliminary Design (the general blueprint of the solution)
  • Project Plan (the management aspects of the solution implementation, including resources and schedule)

Phase 3 - Solution Implementation

In the Solution Implementation phase, we use the classic "Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC)" approach to implement the solution designed in the previous phase:
  • Detailed Design
  • System Construction or Acquisition
  • Quality Assurance (Testing)
  • Documentation & Training
  • Roll-Out
The actual solution might be a software program, a procedure manual, a large software package purchased from a major vendor, or something else altogether.  It might run on one PC or across an entire factory or network of locations. Regardless, these will be the general steps of the Solution Implementation phase.
 
Depending on the size and scope of the problem, this phase could take from a few months to a year or more, and involve a single analyst or a team of several people.

Project fee payment milestones are built into the project plan, to minimize risk and give the client maximum control over the outcome of the effort.

The deliverable from this phase is the actual system or solution, fully implemented within the operations of the client's organization.

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