T E C H N O L O G Y   A D V I S O R Y   S E R V I C E S

In the year 2000, only 28 percent of all domestic IT projects succeeded, with their success being defined as: completed on time, on budget and with all features and functionality originally specified, according to the widely circulated CHAOS report by the Standish Group. Alternately, this means that 72 percent failed! Organizations typically have one shot at successfully completing an IT project; no one has the kind of capital lying around to repeat a failed project.

Organizations know their own business well, but many come up short in the business of information technology projects. Most are hard-pressed to answer questions like, “Should we build a new system, or find one to adopt and customize?” or “If we decide to use an existing system, where do we look to find one?” or “We know what we think we need, so how much do we budget in time and money?” and “Who can we trust to help guide us through the process?” or “How do I know the vendor I select be working in my best interests as they advise me?”

The good news is that for the most part, the software industry has grown up. Like building a house, in which contractors follow standard steps and perform quality checks along the way, information technology project management has matured. There are excellent frameworks available to help ensure success. And it still requires someone on your team who possesses a clear understanding of the complete process, what the pitfalls are and how to avoid them.

Relevant Strategies’ Porsche Everson can shepherd you through the maze of your IT projects, as an advocate, coach, and mentor. She has accomplished dozens of large-scale information technology projects across the US, in industries as diverse as public health and commercial fishing. She can tell you what works, what doesn’t work, how to negotiate with an IT vendor, how to manage risks, and the best practices necessary to secure project success. Porsche works with clients from conception to implementation, advising, guiding, coaching and teaching, keeping your organizations’ best interests in mind. She can help you clearly define your specific IT needs, recommend IT companies to best serve those needs, help negotiate a contract that protects your interests and minimizes your risks, and help ensure your vendor is providing the best possible product for your investment. She does all this and offers ongoing support to minimize any unnecessary headaches as systems become integrated.