Planning Services include the following.
Business Process Re-engineering Long Range Information Systems Planning Requirements Definition and Conceptual Design Cost Benefit Studies Feasibility Studies Application Integration Design Vendor Evaluation and Selection Information Technology AssessmentA first and critical step before applying the correct Information-
Technology (IT) solution is to ensure the target business activity has been properly re-engineered. Failure to first
re-engineer the Business Process (BP), often results in a less than
optimal IT solution. BPR utilizes work-flow, simulation, and
prototype IT methodologies to accomplish the following steps.
Define, analyze, and access the target Business Process(s). Re-engineer the Business Process(s). Develop Prototype that accurately represents the re-engineered BP/IT solution. Develop an Implementation Plan to provide the full scale BP/IT solution.An essential Planning Service is Long Range Information Systems Planning (LRISP). Unfortunately most Clients have not justified the need for establishing a LRISP function.
R FK Associates, Inc. has assisted Clients establish and performance LRISP. We have developed a specific methodology for establishing, performing, and maintaining the LRISP function.
LRISP includes the following specific steps.
Establish LRISP function. Develop a strategic information technology plan. Define the required information systems architecture. Develop detail project action plans. Develop accounting methodology. Develop annual plan update methodology.It is widely accepted that 35-40% of a Client's operating expense is directly attributable to information technology. As such there is significant opportunity to realize cost benefits by automating those information processing activities that unnecessary burden Business Professionals. RFK Associates, Inc. has developed an approach for reviewing potential areas of cost benefit opportunity.
The approach includes three steps.
Analysis of opportunities. Quantify and prioritize each opportunity. Development of an implementation action plan for each selected opportunity.An information technology feasibility study includes the determination of the likelihood of a particular application from four perspectives.
Technical Experience --- Is the technology utilized in an environment similar to the that of the Client? Cost Experience --- Is the development, operating, and maintenance cost in line with what the Client expects? Schedule Experience --- Is the development and operating schedules reasonable given the Client's size and transaction volumes? Pioneering Experience --- What unforeseen obstacles have other Clients who have implemented similar applications encountered?R FK Associates, Inc. has kept current with regard to industry application innovations. As such, our experience base enables us to predict the likelihood or feasibility of an information technology project.
As information technology is distributed to previously unautomated organizational areas, there becomes a critical need to integrate these new applications with existing central applications. RFK Associates, Inc. has specialized in the design and planning for application integration in compliance with industry standards.
We have standardized our application integration planning service focusing around the following principals.
Utilization of a rule based approach to define application integration requirements at the "data element" level. Review and compliance with industry standards. Utilization of standard industry tables to "drive" the integration.
RFK Associates, Inc. utilizes the following methodologies to ensure Client participation understanding, and acceptance.
Application prototypes including menus, screens, reports, and database structures. Dataflow diagrams describing overall application flow and timing. Requirement checklists cross referenced to the design architecture. Conceptual design architecture.
We have performed numerous Vendor contract negotiations. This assistance is essential for ensuring that technical, support, and pricing issues are properly addressed.
Assistance is also required to communicate technical, support, and pricing issues to the Client's legal council.
Our typical experience is to save a Client 30-40% from the original Vendor bid.
Vendor Evaluation and Selection engagements include the following steps.
Preparation of needs assessment. Preparation of request for proposal. Identification of Vendors. Conduct Vendor bidder conference. Issuance of request for proposals. Evaluation of Vendor proposals. Conduct Vendor proposal conference. Conduct site visits. Select Vendors. Negotiate contract. Develop implementation plan.
Information technology assessment engagements include the following steps.
Evaluate application architecture, mix, and status. Evaluate computer and communications equipment. Evaluate organizational structure and effectiveness. Evaluate computer operations. Evaluate security and recovery plan. Evaluate technology level. Develop short term corrective action plan. Develop long term corrective action plan.