We are now at the Testing phase with our Bullhorn implementation, so time to update on the process so far
Bullhorn follow a 6 phase project methodology
[1] Analysis
[2] Planning
[3] Configuration
[4] Data Migration and Build
[5]Testing
[6] Go Live
All seems really simple and you are issued with your implementation consultant, I will call him Hank to protect the innocent and have some fun. I will cover each stage over the next few days.
The Analysis phase kicked off with a whole host of people in Boston on the phone, most of whom, I have not heard from again! The Project Manager/Implementation consultant, the Delivery Manager, the Software Engineer, Business systems analyst (I had forgotten they were there!) a Training coordinator and the link to the UK Manager Sales Engineering.
Had I not been a thick skinned, war torn system implementer this would have been a tough meeting. You could tell you were out of Pre Sales and now the clock was running and everything was budgeted for by the hour. So watch out as its hours not days you are being quoted for.
The first output of this phase is a Business Analysis or Workflow Questionairre, which is a collection of questions that range from the obvious to difficult detail. A good question was
- Is commission information currently tracked in your system? If so, who has access to view and edit that information? Please detail your commission structure/plan.
Now that?s a cracker and I have not in my years come across a CRM/ATS that did this but my hopes were high.
The Second output is a Terminology Mapping document, and this was a difficult stage as Mapping Adapt to Bullhorn is not a like for like match, this document needs thought and allow enough time for it in your planning!
This done we were ready for the Planning Phase!
