Knowledge

Lessons from a Failed IT Migration Project

Finding the right IT system is important, but preparing the migration to this new tool is equally important:

1. Make sure that the system is more efficient, more elegant and more user-friendly than the previous one. Does it take less clicks than before to get something?
2. Make sure the new tool is fully operational and debugged before the migration. Make a pilot, test it carefully and thoroughly, and make sure that it works when people are invited to use it.
3. Prepare carefully migration of data: address books, files, etc. Make sure that people will not have to enter again the data they have already entered in the previous system. Make sure they have all the information they need (addresses, files, passwords, etc.) fully available from the start.  
4. Organise and prepare carefully a training session and make sure that an helpdesk is not just available but also proactive in the first few days.
5. Measure progress in use of the new system, and take immediate corrective actions if adoption of the new system is not progressing well.

Antoine Henry de Frahan | 22 September 2008 |