2 min read
With some basic project management, you can streamline your implementation and set yourself up to hit the ground running. Taking the time to plan helps ensure a timelier, better-coordinated kickoff and contributes to the long-term success of your organization's SOPs. Here are 8 tips we have found will help you maximize success in the least amount of time.
Ensure that the person has the support they need to accomplish the goals of this project. Ideally, this person will be assertive enough to drive activity with your internal stakeholders. There is a balance between planning and doing. Successfully striking this balance can help expedite implementation.
Be realistic with your planning. Start with the end date and work backward. Clarify milestones that lead up to the launch. Consider tasks that can be done concurrently and those that are dependent on each other. Factor in holidays and ask stakeholders for any dates they will be out of the office. Manage the timeline around these dates. Always pad the timeline. If you think a task will take three days, allow for five.
Ideally, all of your stakeholders will agree to work towards the common goal. Having a consensus on the deadline will empower your project manager to push when they need to push.
Take the time to work with your Zavanta implementation team to put together a concrete plan. Be realistic with your expectations from subject matter experts, the number of documents, workflows, etc. By front-loading your planning, you can reduce the amount of time you spend scrambling and ensure that everyone is in sync regarding the deliverables and goals.
After the initial project push - who will be in charge? Appoint one team or individual to take the lead ownership role to manage ongoing work. Our most successful clients have several key power users that take the lead after the launch.
Schedule time with your Zavanta Coach for times when you can use what you have learned immediately after (e.g., if you are going on vacation, wait until you get back and are ready to start working).
While not mandatory for success, focused training classes can expedite the learning curve and quickly get everyone on the same page. The more you learn about Zavanta, the more successful you will be. Start with the basics and then build. Campaigns, workflows, picklists, etc.
8 Steps to a Successful Zavanta Implementation
1. Appoint a project manager.
Ensure that the person has the support they need to accomplish the goals of this project. Ideally, this person will be assertive enough to drive activity with your internal stakeholders. There is a balance between planning and doing. Successfully striking this balance can help expedite implementation.
2. Create a timeline with a launch deadline.
Be realistic with your planning. Start with the end date and work backward. Clarify milestones that lead up to the launch. Consider tasks that can be done concurrently and those that are dependent on each other. Factor in holidays and ask stakeholders for any dates they will be out of the office. Manage the timeline around these dates. Always pad the timeline. If you think a task will take three days, allow for five.
3. Gain consensus on the launch deadline.
Ideally, all of your stakeholders will agree to work towards the common goal. Having a consensus on the deadline will empower your project manager to push when they need to push.
4. Create your plan.
Take the time to work with your Zavanta implementation team to put together a concrete plan. Be realistic with your expectations from subject matter experts, the number of documents, workflows, etc. By front-loading your planning, you can reduce the amount of time you spend scrambling and ensure that everyone is in sync regarding the deliverables and goals.
5. Designate a Zavanta Lead.
After the initial project push - who will be in charge? Appoint one team or individual to take the lead ownership role to manage ongoing work. Our most successful clients have several key power users that take the lead after the launch.
6. Optimize how you will use your coaching time.
Schedule time with your Zavanta Coach for times when you can use what you have learned immediately after (e.g., if you are going on vacation, wait until you get back and are ready to start working).
7. Consider additional training classes.
While not mandatory for success, focused training classes can expedite the learning curve and quickly get everyone on the same page. The more you learn about Zavanta, the more successful you will be. Start with the basics and then build. Campaigns, workflows, picklists, etc.
8. Prioritize Zavanta on your to-do list.
Zavanta is an incredible tool to help you manage and share standard policies and procedures, but it’s up to you to get your content captured so you get the benefits you want. Take it one day at a time. You will be motivated to keep going once you start getting positive feedback. Yes, this is a big endeavor, but we know the results will be worth it.
Additional Resources
