Project ORION Implementation Strategy

The PeopleSoft applications are built upon the "best practices" of a number of major organizations and institutions. Each application system, as delivered, is expected to support 70%-80% of the University's current policies and practices. In the course of implementation, a "fit analysis" will determine where the system as delivered and the university's policies or practices are in conflict.

Either of two approaches may resolve these implementation conflicts, and both approaches require consultation and discussion with operational offices, project advisory groups, constituencies, and the administration.

One approach is to review and re-engineer the University's business practices before placing the systems in production. The systems would not be placed into production until the re-engineering efforts were completed, and the University would not have the advantage of any increased functionality before production. Full implementation under this approach would take 36-60 months.

The other approach, rapid implementation, would take approximately 18-24 months. The systems would be put into production as quickly as possible and would allow the university to take advantage of the increased functionality of the systems much sooner. Some current policies or practices might not be supported during the phase-in period, while the advisory groups and constituencies and administration are consulted to evaluate the remaining gaps between expectations and software supports. Decisions to customize the software or revise University practice can be made in light of experience with the new systems. A complete reconciliation of the systems with the policies and practices may take an additional 18-24 months.

Rapid implementation offers the following advantages:

• Reduces costs for implementation consultants;
• Achieves cost savings for Year 2000 conversions of current applications;
• Makes the most effective use of the "best practices" within each application; and
• Places the new functions and processes provided by the PeopleSoft applications into production sooner.

The project management team has reviewed the implementation methodologies of other universities and some of the major consulting firms assisting with PeopleSoft implementations, and has discussed the approaches with IRP, FACACIT, and representatives of the University-wide Policy Advisory Committee and the Faculty Senate Executive Committee.

• Recommendation: The Project Management Team recommends rapid implementation of the PeopleSoft systems.

[Approved by the Provost's Operations Council, 8/12/97]

Copyright © 1997 University of Louisville. All rights reserved.