Better Requirements, Better Processes, Better Performance

Nobody likes a failed project.  Especially one as big as a cloud migration.  Many people become so focused on crossing the finish line as soon as possible that they lose sight of the details that matter.  If you want your project to succeed, you’ll need a solid foundation of business requirements and well documented processes in place.  This will lead to better performance in the long term, and help your project succeed.  Check out these 3 simple steps to help set you up for a successful cloud migration and happier stakeholders.

Step 1: Better Requirements
What is your goal?  It can get very expensive if you don’t have a clear picture of your end goal.  If you’re figuring things out as you go, it can lead to large costly changes farther down the line.  That is why the first step is defining your goals.  Sometimes requirements can change and that’s alright as long as you know how to effectively manage them.  But in general, better requirements lead to less changes and better results.

Think of requirements as the building blocks of a software implementation or cloud migration.  You’ll need to work with your team to determine your goals, and needs, from the technology.  When you’re holding requirements gathering sessions, make sure you involve the right people so you get the full picture.

Once you’ve met your stakeholders and have held requirements gathering sessions, you’ll need to thoroughly document the results, either in an Excel spreadsheet, or one of the many requirements repository software options available.  This gives you a well-organized list you can use to build test cases, and reference to make sure everyone is on the same page.

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Step 2: Better Processes
​What do our processes look like today?  You need to know what you’re working with so you can figure out where you want to go.  Take an inventory of any processes that are already documented that you can use as a starting point.  Then document any remaining processes as well.  When you’re documenting processes, consider using swim lanes to clearly identify which groups own which process tasks.

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From there you’ll want to perform a gap analysis and determine areas of improvement and what steps might be missing.  Also write out pain points your business is currently experiencing in relation to the current state.  These could be things like having to print out forms, information being e-mailed outside of the system, steps that aren’t really connected to anything or multiple groups being responsible for the same task.

Next you’ll need to brainstorm with your team what you’d like the processes to look like in the future and which areas you can improve upon.  It’s important to involve a technical expert who knows the ins and outs of the cloud platform you’re migrating to.  They’ll be able to determine whether or not the changes you want to make in the future can be supported by the platform you’re migrating to.

Step 3: Better Performance
Finally, leverage your detailed requirements and improved processes to optimize the performance of your system.  You’ll need this information to configure the cloud platform and modules to best meet your organization’s needs.

You’ll also want to take the time to determine metrics so you can track the improved performance of your system and processes.  Refer back to your requirements to get an idea of KPIs you may want to use and look into cloud dashboard and business intelligence (BI) reporting options.  If they’re already integrated into the cloud modules you’re using, it will be far easier to keep tabs on how things are going.

Just remember to start with the basics and you’ll already be on your way to a successful cloud migration.

How can we help?
Whether you need a seasoned business analyst to manage your requirements, technical consultants to document and enhance processes, or an experienced team to guide you through your cloud migration from strategy to launch, Pivotal’s got you covered!  For more information contact us today!

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