Turning Around A Struggling Software Upgrade Project By Establishing Best Practices

How Pepper Foster helped a large utility turn around a critical software upgrade project and ensure dependent projects could be successful by refocusing the team, establishing best practices, and implementing a comprehensive runbook department-wide.

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Business Outcomes

As a result of engaging Pepper Foster, the client successfully:

  • Addressed the underlying issues and constraints causing the schedule delays 
  • Upgraded to a modern, supported system
  • Implemented new comprehensive runbook documentation department wide
  • Ensured dependent projects adapted their schedules and budgets and were able to be successful

Challenges – Problem Statement

The client was experiencing a number of challenges with a critical software upgrade project including: 

  • Schedule Delays: Schedule delays were impacting not only this project but also downstream and dependent projects
  • Resource Constraints: Resource constraints were creating resources changes and delays
  • Leadership Transition: The project manager was transitioning off the project

The client engaged Pepper Foster to identify the root causes of delays, refocus the team, establish a realistic completion date, and ensure the successful completion of the project.

Solution Approach

Pepper Foster used a collaborative approach that included:

  • Comprehensive Gap Analysis: Assessed project scope, schedule, budget, and resources against goals & expectations 
  • Project Re-set: Realigned all project elements with expectations including a refreshed schedule, accurate budget, clear resource planning
  • Improved Processes: Developed and implemented a new comprehensive runbook and improved processes including effective meeting management, team collaboration, risk and issue management and communication

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