Computers and software systems are designed to do what human tells or set them to do. Therefore, the efficiency and effectiveness of any software solution is only as good as it has been implemented and used by the business. This means two key aspects of business process improvement are software implementation and how the business uses the software. In this blog post, we will discuss both these aspects in pursuit of overall business process improvements.
Implementation
The implementation strategy of a WMS Solution is key to the effectiveness of the warehouse. There are various implementation methodologies that implementation partners and consultants use. Generally the key stages of Implementation Methodology are:
Project Initiation
This is the first step in WMS solution implementation. This is where Project manager from warehouse operations and consultant team setup their team. Setup project plan and schedule.
Discovery and Planning
This is one of the most important phase of WMS Implementation. This is where consultants and warehouse team discuss need and requirements of business and agree on the deliverables. its recommended for Warehouse to document all their processes before this phase so that all aspect of warehouse operations are covered, and consultants could understand it as mush as possible. Few main tasks to be completed in this phase are:
- Discussing and documenting all business requirements.
- Gaps Analysis
- Identification software and modules requires to fulfil business requirement.
- Identify infrastructure requirement.
- Prepare a document that list business requirements and solution, including any customisations.
The outcome on this phase is a business solution document that list business requirements and draft of the solution to be implemented. Once this document is signed by both Lead consultant and Warehouse operation manager, any further change in the scope or solution will go through change request management process.
Deployment
Under this phase of project implementation WMS solution is installed and configured as documented in previous phase. Any customisation discussed in previous phase will be completed and configured as well.
Once WMS application is deployed and ready for next phase, one important task to be completed in this phase is Unit testing. This is done by Consultant to make sure the solution is deployed and working as per the discussions and documentations done in the previous phase.
User Training and UAT
Next phase of Implementation is Training and follow up by User testing. Training covers in detail all functions of WMS application. Once the training is completed System is generally hand over to WMS and users keep testing the application till go live.
This is the time when Project manager from warehouse team will distribute task to his team members and set responsibility. There super users will be solution matter experts (SMEs). Some of the main tasks to be completed by SMEs in this stage are:
- Complete understanding of operational policies and procedures like Receiving, warehousing and distribution operations.
- Testing and making sure deployed solution is as per the business requirements documented earlier.
- Learn and train warehouse staff on new WMS processes and help them to adopt new system.
- Write Test Cases, Perform UAT (user testing) and Support Go Live.
- Go to person for any warehouse related issues and help users to find solution to their issues in the system.
Go-Live
Once all above tasks are completed successfully, Consultant and WMS team can schedule for Go-live. Go live is the stage where warehouse team start using warehouse software. To prepare for the day, warehouse team and consultant should prepare a Go live plan and checklist, clearly stated what needs to be done (Each task), who is doing it (responsibility), and when to do (Schedule).
Closing Phase
Generally consultant provide onsite support for few days or week after Go live day. It’s to provide immediate help and make the users settle down with new processes and application. Once client is settled down Project closer report is signed off by client to mark the successful completing of the project.
