The success of your Process Manager installation lies in the planning. By planning carefully, you can make sure Process Manager helps your staff work efficiently and effectively. The planning step is the most important part of the implementation, resulting in:
■ A smooth startup
■ Correct security access to sensitive data
■ Appropriate processes for each prospect and situation
■ Useful communications and reporting
The planning process
Use the following strategy to plan your Process Manager implementation:
1. Identify the general types of projects your organization encounters and what is unique about each type.
2. Determine the specific roles and responsibilities required for each project type.
3. Build action plans that embody the best practices of your organization, including communications and reporting needs.
Tips for implementation planning
■ Focus on building relationships, not on data entry.
■ Clearly identify your prospect/donor types and the different methods your organization will use to build relationships with each group.
■ Draw a map of the players involved. Note the communications and reporting needs of each player.
■ Consider how you will process a “won” opportunity. Build the handoff into your plan and be sure the transactions that are generated (orders, events, donations) will be handled correctly.
■ Establish naming conventions to help organize projects, documents, and reports. A unique prefix for each department might be appropriate for your organization.