Implementation

Question 1

Adoption vs. learning perspectives?

Answer 1

Adoption perspectives

• Stability is normal
• Change is infrequent and planned
• On a management level: use the same in many years, and at some point of time management choose to change
• Managers deliberately and rationally implement technologies that fit the context

• Static view of the world:
- Learning is neglected – wise managers can predict the use and usefulness of technology

Source of change:
- technology – technology determines outcomes (technological imperative)

Learning perspectives
• Change is normal
• Change is continuous; both planned and emergent (i.e. unanticipated) change

Source of change:
• Human agency - different organizations may use the same technology in very different ways

Question 2

The three transition Strategies? What are their pros and cons?

Answer 2

Big Bang = Go-live of all modules at the same time + shut down the old system
+ fast transition, people forced to use the system
- as there is a steep learning curve, there can be many mistakes, difficult to make adjustments

Phased = Sequential implementation by modules and/or sites
+ allows for feedback and learning between each iteration
- multiple units using different systems

Parallel = old and new system at the same time
+ slower transition, more time to learning and make corrections
- expensive

Question 3

What is the TAM model, and what are the components?

Answer 3

Technology Acceptance Model

Perceived Ease of use
Perceived Usefulness

Intention to use

Use

Question 4

What are the limitations of TAM if used to explain enterprise software implementations?

Answer 4

• Individual-level theory (Limited to social/behavioral factors), missing link to strategy, transitions and other issues at the organizational level of analysis (which is important for enterprise systems)
• Doesn’t talk about resistance
• TAM is about voluntary use vs. enterprise software is about mandatory use

Question 5

Explain why Business cases are useful?

Answer 5

• Does an investment (e.g. a project? pay off?)
• Managers often rely on business cases to decide upon IT investments
• Help visualize how IT and business changes will result in benefits

Question 6

What is Ward’s six-stage approach to developing a robust business case?

Answer 6

1. Identify the business drivers (the current issues facing the organization=
   Identify the investment objectives (What does the proposed investment seek to achieve for the organization?)
2. Benefits of the investment objective (benefits that will arise if the objectives are met)
3. Structuring the benefits expected from meeting the investment objectives
4. Classify each expected benefit according to:
   - do new things
   - do things better
   - stop doing things
5. Determine the Explicit Value of each Benefit
6. Identify costs and risks

Question 7

Data migration vs data integration, and what are their benefits?

Answer 7

ES Migration
• When an existing application is replaced, there will be a critical need to migrate data (master, transactional, and reference) to the new application
• Move data from one place to another

Why do we need to migrate systems?

1. Ensure we do not lose data
2. Technology change to be faster and more relevant
3. To comply with GDPR laws
4. Business needs

ES Integration 
• Promise seamless integration of all information flowing through a company
-	Financial and accounting information
-	Human resource information
-	Supply chain information 
-	Customer information

Benefits:
• Tightly link different business processes who used to operate independently
• Provide accurate information about the different parts of the operation in real time

Question 8

What is the Enterprise service bus?

Answer 8

A way to integrate data:
• A way to make CRM and ERP work together  have an interface
• Makes sure that the right data from the CRM and ERP are used