Rule 8: consider delivery systems at the
start
In cases where it is obvious that information
systems of some scope will be necessary to
implement the agreed measures, it is not too
early to begin consideration of the system’s
design criteria from the outset. Many organizations
usually have an incoherent combination
of financial measures produced by the
finance department and a plethora of key
performance indicators (KPI) which are produced
by a single head-office unit.
The delivery system needs to be considered
from the beginning, otherwise expectations
may be raised which are not fulfilled by the
ultimate system. Where relevant, IT departments
should be involved early on in the
project. Furthermore, the delivery system
should be made as simple in design as possible,
otherwise it may not be possible to keep it
updated with current issues.
It is important that measurement is embedded
in something the company is already
doing. Building something totally separate
will be very frustrating and time-consuming.
Furthermore, it is important not to throw
away what is already in place.