GROM EMPOWERMENT METHODOLOGY (GEM)

The Grom Empowerment Methodology (GEM) offers a phased, systematic approach to maximize results, minimize risk, drive user adoption, and ensure the success of a project from start to finish.

Phase 1 – Embryonic – sets the stage for the overall project:

  • Develop project assessment and business case
  • Define business requirements, goals, and objectives
  • Create detailed process matrix
  • Identify all impacted areas
  • Document/acquire required resources (software, hardware, human capital, etc.)
  • Begin aligning across various organizations and stakeholders

Phase 2 – Preparation – finalize the project team, budget, strategy, and tools:

  • Complete project plan, charter, policies and procedures, infrastructure, governance structure, and risk mitigation strategy
  • Launch communication and sponsor programs
  • Review hardware/platform status
  • Reinforce project importance and management buy-in (Executive Kickoff session)

Phase 3 – Design – create the processes to support the business requirements:

  • Discuss business goals, communication training, and change plan
  • Review organizational structure and high-level business processes and flows
  • Analyze each business process in detail through individualized workshops
  • Finalize the scope and design of the future business process
  • Map and generate business processes
  • Define the enterprise IT strategy
  • Begin planning for reports, interfaces, conversions, enhancements, and forms

Phase 4 – Build – make the processes a reality:

  • Review business processes with the project team and other key stakeholders
  • Begin specs/development of reports, interfaces, conversions, enhancements, and forms

Phase 5 – Test – evolve the model into an integrated, documented solution:

  • Divide each core business process into cycles of related business process flows
  • Coordinate with the development of reports, user procedures, testing scenarios, and security profiles
  • Provide milestones for the project team as well as checkpoints for testing
  • Refine specific business scenarios and exception conditions will
  • Develop and test reports, interfaces, conversions, enhancements, and forms
  • Execute communication, training, and change plans

Phase 6 – Final Preparation – complete final system testing and end-user training:

  • Test conversion procedures and programs, and interface programs
  • Conduct volume and stress testing, and final user acceptance testing
  • Perform end-user training
  • Approve system and company readiness to “Go-Live”

Phase 7 – Go-Live – cutover from the old system to the new:

  • Initiate new system use in a “production” environment
  • Review and refine system to ensure the business environment is fully supported
  • Verify the accuracy of business transactions and data
  • Interview the user community for feedback

Phase 8 – Support & Continuous Improvement Program (CIP) – drive ongoing process improvements:

  • Roll out system to additional levels
  • Proliferate access to data for decision-making
  • Conduct ongoing regular business improvements

 

Each phase is guided by six (6) core threads designed to address specific requirements and mitigate risks – including Business Readiness, Communication, Management of Change, Sponsor Support, Education, Training, & Development, and Continuous Improvement.