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Success Story - Current State Assessment |
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Client:
Pharmaceutical Contract Research
Organization |
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Project:
Assessment of Current IT Environment |
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Situation: |
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Executive
management, internal and external customers of this rapidly-growing,
for-profit Contract Research Organization (CRO) were all critical of the
capabilities of the existing application systems. An evaluation of all
aspects of the IT function was requested. |
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Approach |
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We performed a complete
assessment of IT. The assessment began with interviews of senior
management and key customers in order to understand business goals,
direction and plans. In parallel, all existing IT applications were
identified. Standard survey instruments were sent to users and
technicians of the systems to understand satisfaction, strengths and
weaknesses. IT managers and staff were interviewed to determine skills
and experience. These, too, were documented with standard survey
forms. A management controls workshop was conducted with IT management
to assess policies, procedures and controls used to ensure effectiveness and
efficiency of the function. |
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Results |
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Tremendous variation in
customer satisfaction with existing applications was discovered.
Results were presented on a 2 x 2 matrix cross-referencing user satisfaction
versus technical strength of each. Applications in the lower-left
quadrant where both user satisfaction and technical strength were low were
ranked as the highest candidates for replacement. Those in the
upper-right quadrant were considered winners and were to be maintained.
It was also discovered that procedures
and controls used by IT were, for the most part, adequate for the level of
maturity of the department. Some exceptions involving strategic
planning, accounting and vendor management were identified as candidates to
be strengthened. |
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To see details about the services
provided in this engagement, click on the button below: |
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Assessing IT Strengths and Weaknesses |
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