ROCHESTER, N.Y. -
At least, that's how Bud Klafehn, project manager at ESL FCU here, is approaching the core system selection and implementation process during ESL's three-year project.
"We wanted to make sure we left no stone unturned when we evaluated our needs for a new system, both from a technical and a user perspective," Klafehn explained.
"This is truly a company-wide project, with synergy and input from all business units at the credit union."
That includes upper management, he said. "Support from senior management can't be underestimated. You need to have a sponsor that truly believes in the project and gets others managers to truly believe and commit."
Both technologists and business users collaborated on the Request for Proposal for the new system before sending it out to five core vendors, Klafehn continued. And before any proposals were submitted, the $3-billion CU established an evaluation matrix that would help reviewers keep a balanced eye on all business needs as they read the proposals.
"That lessened the likelihood that anything of significance would fall through the cracks," Klafehn, said.
Asked if this "invite-everyone-to-the-party" approach isn't just a matter of simple common sense, Klafehn responded, "You would think this would be obvious, but sometimes core conversions turn into technology projects. The projects are siloed, and all the appropriate people aren't involved."
As ESL FCU went about selecting a core vendor, each business unit was asked to rate the importance of various data processor functions, such as new account openings and collections, said Klafehn. The functionality ratings were averaged and then weighted against four additional categories, including technology, architecture, security and cost.
Listening to everyone's opinions had its downside, Klafehn said. "Sometimes projects take a little longer-but the end result is closer to what the organization is hoping to achieve."
That may be especially important for a data processing conversion, he added. "You do a conversion only once every 10 to 15 years, so you have to do your due diligence."
Klafehn uses various project plans to keep employees on the same sheet of music. "It's hard for people to stay on course without objectives, action items or due dates."
A mix of technologies help deliver the plans, including project management software such as AEC Software FastTrack and Microsoft Project, as well as Microsoft Visio diagramming software and Microsoft Word.
"We use a high-level timeline for visually-oriented people, a high-level project plan with detailed tasks for senior managers, and for the actual conversion, each team has a 20-page detailed document of tasks," he said.
Klafehn's project management skills were recognized by a recent GonzoBanker Award, sponsored by Cornerstone Advisors.
In fact, Cornerstone was a key player in the core selection process, according to Klafehn.
"Instead of us looking at hundreds and hundreds of vendors, Cornerstone narrowed down the number of vendors that met our particular needs," he explained.
The Scottsdale, Ariz.-based consultancy also completed a technology assessment of ESL's business needs over the course of several months to start off the conversion, and created the five-category rating method.
ESL FCU began the vendor selection process in July 2005 and chose
The Complete Credit Union Solution from Open Solutions, Inc. (OSI), of Glastonbury, Conn., in July 2006. The CU is currently implementing the system with an expected launch date in September 2008.
Klafehn also practices his magic in his dealings with OSI. For example, ESL FCU first got to know the core system and requested enhancements before setting a conversion date, instead of going with OSI's suggestion to set a date upfront. "It's more realistic that way," Klafehn said.
more
Read more about core conversions at cujournal.com and search the following bolded terms in the archive:
* Take This Job And Love It
* Core Conversion Goes Beyond DP
* Technology Divorces
For info on this story:
* www.esl.org
* www.crnrstone.com
* www.aecsoftware.com
* www.microsoft.com
