Regardless of the nature of your IT project, you want it to not only be of great quality, but to be delivered on time, and this will require the employment of a capable vendor. However, if it turns out that your vendor of choice, who is currently working on a project is not working up to standards, then a project transition plan from one vendor to another may be needed.
Doing this, especially if your project is still proceeding, may seem like an impossibility. However, it is in fact possible, so long as the right preparations are made and measures taken according to the SECL Group. Let’s take a look at how you can pull this off, and if it is necessary to do so.
Why changes occur
Before actually jumping from your current service provider to another in the middle of proceedings, it’s best to do some self-analysis to figure out whether or not it’s necessary. Some of the most notable reasons you would consider going through with a project transition plan from one vendor to another are:
- Overshooting budgets, which occur when the provider in question cannot meet your financial requirements
- Scaling problems, which occur when vendors lack the infrastructure to allow your operation to grow
- Lack of communication between you and the vendors, which is detrimental, as it prevents you from keeping tabs of progress or getting help post build
- If unnecessary delays occur, which may hinder your operation, as deadlines won’t be hit
- A lacking innovative nature, which is particularly detrimental when you consider the constantly evolving IT industry may leave your product in the dust
It is because of the above reasons that many will think of any kind of outsourcing as risky, and thus try to do everything in-house. However, for an operation or project that’s trying to be cost-efficient, this path may not be the one to take, which is why the switch may be necessary.
The prepping phase
So, how does a good project transition plan from one vendor to another look like? Well, in short, it’s a multi-step process in which a thorough analysis of your situation and the surrounding options take place before a move towards the appropriate action. This process is as follows:
- Self-analysis: this a proper look at a few key things, such as the vendor they’re currently trying to leave, as well as a look at your project’s scale, as done by them;
- Exit strategy creation: this step basically outlines everything that is needed for the smoothest transition possible and will require input from all interested parties, such as IT teams, who plan out the entire move by helping underline the challenges, as well as lay out all the requirements;
- Sifting through the options and selection: the IT services industry is worth over $540 billion, on outsourcing alone, so replacements are numerous and require careful sifting to find the right fit;
- Prepping for the move: here, the right data movement strategies, good system integration, quality testing and training of both the new IT teams have to be well-trained to best fit the new project and your own workers for smooth transition are ensured.
The actual move
With all the preparation out of the way, the next natural phase is the move. Assuming that all the above is complete and you have an alternative set, the following would be the completion of the project transition plan from one vendor to another:
Stage 1: Documentation movement
This stage sees all necessary documentation sent from the old service provider to the new one. Among the things that would be considered as such are the project plans and necessities.
Stage 2: Project discernment
What follows is an analysis of the project’s state. By this, what needs to be looked at includes its budget, timeline and potential issues that may arise. Said issues include sorting through contracts still held between you and the old vendor and secure data migration.
Stage 3: Information movement
This stage sees collaboration between people and the new service providers, and sees the former pass on all necessary information to the latter. This information, which includes design specifications, documentation and other necessities is important because it helps the new team avoid any disruptions.
Stage 4: Communication assurance
As all things are migrating from one team to another, there will need to be clear and effective communication between you and the chosen provider. This will allow for key things to occur, one of which is the provision of regular updates concerning the project, and in doing so, ensure that everyone is in sync.
Stage 5: The process’ completion
As soon as the communication is established and there is assurance that all the parts of the process, particularly the knowledge and data shifting, have been done in a secure manner, the transition can be considered a success. The task is now handed over to the new IT team, who is hopefully better than your last.
Testing and validation
You need to remember that your team has to perform extensive testing to guarantee that the project operates properly following the move. This involves ensuring that all systems, procedures and connections are functioning properly. You can also engage end users in testing to find and resolve any user-related issues or bags.
Final thoughts
If there is one takeaway from this piece, it’s that going through with a project transition plan from one vendor to another is quite the extensive endeavor. A lot of detailed planning is needed to ensure that things run smoothly, especially as it pertains to having the new IT team be well-adjusted enough to continue and improve upon the work.
That said, before the official prep begins, you have to know whether or not the process is warranted. If your current aids are of decent quality, you may want to stick with them. It will be even more difficult if there isn’t a good reason or justification for making the change.