Real Life Experience # 5
A consumer products company identified a 7 month implementation schedule
for its 5 facilities across the United States. Project team members were
selected from a cross-section of the employees in each plant. In an effort to
minimize project expenses no consultants were used, and the software vendor had
minimal support requirements. In addition, project team members were devoted
to the project on a part-time basis and required to continue with their
day-to-day work responsibilities. As the project progressed into the height
of their seasonal sales, employees were working long hours on the project and
even longer hours on normal activities. After 4 months, 50% of the project
team had left the company. The project was placed on “Hold” until the sales
season was over, and the implementation date was pushed back 10 months as the
company “started over”.