An HR Project & Process Mind Set for HR (Reddington et al)

As described HR Organisations can lack the experience, knowledge and expertise to deliver HR solutions and portal technology to the business, with the appropriate level of change management required. This situation is not really surprising as the multitude of technology choices, as pointed out in the introduction, can be extremely confusing. Also the technology that requires such skills is only relatively recent. A critical point to make is that the training of the HR profession is perhaps not keeping up as much as it should in this area. HR Organisations often fail in project delivery because they  can be difficult to hold to deadlines, have a poor understanding of the business case, lack a project methodology to deliver and have resource commitment issues (especially at certain times of the year).

In what can be termed the Project Mindset and Process Mindset (Reddington) HR have to become experts if not knowledge leaders in an organisation. The project mind set is essentially the ability to deliver projects to the HR organisation as well as the rest of the business, recognising the need to address project management issues such as time, cost, scope, resource and change etc. Whilst the business may have the assistance of an outside consulting organisation it is critical that the requirement for project management skills is not underestimated and the level of commitment that the organisation has to make to a project recognised, particularly in terms of resources. Outside consulting services cannot implement without the engagement of the client in the project process and hope to achieve a successful outcome.

The process mindset really comes from recognition that if HR decides to implement e-HR technology it will have a greater effect on the rest of the business. Therefore the ability to achieve sponsorship for the vision, management of project stakeholders, recognising that there are many levers in an organisation and mechanisms to bring about change, is required.  A practical and pragmatic approach to implementation often brings about the most successful outcome. Methods of project implementation can become wrapped up in 'management speak'  but are often really recommendations of applying common sense philosophies of delivery, such as ensuring great project communication, through understanding and sign off of scope, excellent ongoing training and education.

The HR organisation has much to benefit from in terms of organisational reputation, cost effectiveness and service delivery by understanding better the technology available to them. And the project and process mechanisms for delivery and long term benefits.

What next? SAP?  That's where we, Bluefin Solutions, can help

Bluefin Solutions is an SAP Partner, we therefore advocate strongly  the use of the worlds leading HR and Payroll product, SAP. SAP has to date  been implemented in over 8000 organisations across the world. So as a partner whilst we will  not look to influence your product choice, we  will however be very able to provide advisory and programme/project delivery  consulting services. To engage with you  early on, to assist with your vision for HR, the  business case for the chosen solutions, help establish programme and project priorities, define your intended projects (timescale, scope, resources, change) and in overall  terms endeavour  to keep the technical and business aspects of the programme and project in balance. This will ensure project expectations are met, benefits are achieved and long term value is added to the HR organisation and the organisation as a whole.