Saturday 30 September 2017

Two Tribes

If you do the Twitter thing, follow me at @HousingITguy
or LinkedIn here https://uk.linkedin.com/in/tonysmiththathousingitguy


I work with a vast variety of socialhousing organisations, small (a few hundred) to managing ten’s of thousand’s of properties. Some are LSVT, ALMO’s, or doing general needs housing, while many manage a mixture of those and also care, support and other areas, such as nurseries.

It’s fair to say we are a pretty tightly regulated and complex sector, although outside looking in, it might look otherwise.

The urge to form groups is something within the sector that continues and will not go away. I have worked with many groups who once joined together have got me involved, inevitably to look at how systems and digital solutions, can be combined. Why would you not?

Groups with good matching component organisations, all general needs, or all care and support perhaps, may regard that as an easy gig when merging to a single set of systems. From a pure ICT viewpoint, I can assure you, it’s been done before many times and that’s not the issue. Where the challenge comes, is if the same objective organisationally is achieved in two parts of the group, very differently with similar results.

This last week I was talking with a great contact, at a site where I have had a lot of involvement in systems and their business change journey. The conversation moved to this particular point. Anyone who reads my blog, knows how super motivated clients and (sometimes) innovative suppliers, catch my attention and really inspire me.

Here’s the situation we were talking about, a very familiar one to many, around arrears management. It’s a work stream with lots of pressure currently on it, from Universal Credit, bedroom tax and other quarters. But what do you do in a group, if composite parts achieve the set and requisite KPIs, but in very different ways. For example, one part of a group might have a crack elite arrears team, a bit like the arrears episode SAS. Another might have more of a free form scheme based resource, that organically tackles arrears. Even worse, what if they all achieve a low % arrears from GAD (Gross Annual Debit).  

I am often asked, “which approach is right”? I mean, with strong and persuasive managers, team leaders or directors, it could be like two tribes going to war.

Command and control OR more local autonomy?

That’s a tricky one for me, as where both manage to satisfy the KPI, either could be ‘right’. The challenge is, do we select one of the existing models, or find a third way. This option is the most problematic for the transformation team, as everyone needs to rethink the process.

Achieving the cultural change required is, I believe more challenging that the ICT and systems change. I bet many readers would agree. To bridge the cultural divide takes a healthy dollop of the fluffy comms medicine. This gets the corporate message across and keeps us all on the straight and narrow. I respect comms folk as they are a necessary evil, and they generally successfully oil those cultural organisational wheels for us.

Ignore the cultural change and impact and ultimately, our fancy ICT solutions and transformations will fail. Honest. I speak from experience guv. That’s why I try to make my clients aware of the importance of the cultural change element and do my best, where engaged to guide them through it. The final direction must always be decided by them, because they will be left living with it, for many years to come.

Related Post: What sort of arrears management satisfies its promises? 


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I would be pleased to connect with you on LinkedIn - http://uk.linkedin.com/in/tonysmiththathousingitguy Message me with any issues or queries, you would like to be explored in this blog. We generally receive a couple of suggestions each month.

Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Two TribesFrankie Goes To Hollywood - Two Tribes.
(c) Tony Smith, Acutance Consulting www.acutanceconsulting.co.uk 07854-655009


Access a quick list of our Social Housing ICT blog posts here

Could we help you or your organisation? Our contact details are here , get in touch we will be pleased to chat about your problems and help with your organisation issues.

File Under: 360,1stTouch,4Js. , 07854655009 ,365Agile," """" ",,#UKHousing,#HousingDAY, #HomesForBritain,#InternetOfTenants, #Shout,1st Touch,3squared,Accuserv,Acutence,Aareon,Academy,ActiveH,AirWatch,Alignment,ALMO,Anite,Apex,ArchHouse,Archouse,asbestos, Asprey e-state pro,ActiveHousing,Asset Management,Aurora,Average IT Costs,App,Associates,ACL,Abritas,AMS,AX,aspireview,Agile365, BO,BPR,Browser Applications,Business Objects,Business Planning, Business Process Review,Business social networking, Blockwise, Block wise,BI,BancTec,BluTek,Bluebox, Castle,CBL,Cedar Open Accounts,Cx,Change,Cheaper Housing IT,Chics, CHR,Citrix,Civica,Clearview,CMS , CCS IT Keystone CCSIT,Civica Genero,Contractor Systems,CORE,CorVu,Cost Reductions,Covalent,CRM,Crystal Reports,CTI,CTX,Customer Relationship Management,Cashflow, COA,Coactiva,Codeman,Comino,Competitive Dialogue process,complex IT procurements,Component Accounting, Community Reward Services, Consilium, Consolidation, Consultancy,Consultant,Contact Manager,Context,CIH,Chartered Institute Of Housing,Cadcorp,Cerrus Saturn,convergeOne,CACI,CPL, CRS Director, Deeplake,Development Systems,Accuserve,Document Management,Documotive,datasystems , Microsoft dynamics GP 2013, DynamicAI, Dynamic AI, ECMK,EDRMS,England, English,EnterpriseBI,ERP Systems,ERP,Elmhurst,Estatecraft,EDM,ESRI,Exponential-e, Finance, Financial Systems, Financials, Factorwise,Facebook ,Footprint,Fusion, Getting best from,gotonysmith, Grasp,Grip,GeoSolveIT,GIS,GGP,Genero,GCloud,G-Cloud,HouSys,Housing software,HFI (Housing Financials interface),HG,Housemark survey,Housing Blueprint,Housemark, HRA,housingtITguy,Housing Support Pro,HousingSupportPro,Housing Options,Hometeam, Housing Group,hotpixuk, HousingIT,hotpix,Hardware,Hitex,Housing Contact Company,housing predictive analytics, Impact Response,iPayPro,implementations,iRobot,In House,InHouse,In4,InMotion, InMotion2016, InMotion2015, InMotion2016 , Exhibition, conference,Housing Management Consultant,Housing Management Consultants, Infoflow,Information Technology,Informix,inHouse,in-house workforce,Information@Work components, Innovation,Inside Housing,Internet Portal,Internetalia,Information Management Server,IMS, Invu,Ireland,Irish,Inphase , IT Budget,IT Training,iWorld, Innovation Group Apex,ITIL, In4Systems Promaster,IT,Insight, iSupport,iSupportPro, Keylogic,Keystone,Kirona,Kypera,Keypera Hometeam,Keyfax,Ledgers,Linkedin,Locality,Liquid Voice,MD ,Mr Void , MrVoid, Measuring Change,Mebus,Miracle,MISCS,mDesign,mobile functionality,mobile platform,Monopoly board images and pictures, Montal,MS Dynamics,MS Dynamics CRM2011,Miracle Software,MDM,Management,CRM2013,Reporting,MI,M3,MIS,MIS-AMS,Mobysoft, Northgate Codeman,Neighbourhoods and Communities,NPS,NPS Housing,NPS CRM,NPS Job Manager Mobile, Northgate,Notice,NROSH,NINTEX,NINTEX workflow,Natural Forms,Nintexworkflow,NPS ASSIST, OA,OGC Buying Solutions,Ohms,OJEU Limits,OmFax,Omniledger,Open source software,open tender,OpenHousing,Opti-time,Oracle,Orchard,Optitime DRS,Outsource and outsourcing,OpenContractor,ORS,OneServe, PIMMS Data Systems, Paloma,performance management systems,PfH, Pick,PIMMS,pimms4communities, Planned maintenance,People Value,Plus, Peoplevalue, PM,Progress,Promaster,Proval,Pyramid,PRINCE2,prince,Pamwin,PlanForm, Propoints, Pro-Points,predictive analytics for housing, QL,QLX,Quiss,Qlikview, QueryView,Queryview reporting,Registered Providers,Registered Social Landlord,Rent Increase Freezes,Repairfinder,Reporting,Reports,ROCC,RobotAutomation,Rave Technologies (India) PVT Limited, Rocket,RPs,RSL,Reality,ReAct,reidmark,RM865, Saffron,SAP,Scots, "Social Housing IT",Social Housing ICT, Scottish,Scenario, Scotland,SDM,sector,TonySmithHou,Safron,Server Virtualisation,servicing, Servitor,Sharepoint, Simdel,Simdell,SimPro,Sim Pro,Slash and Burn,Social Media,Software,SQL Open Housing,SQL Reporting Services,SQL reporting services,SQL Server,Star rating,Stores and Stock,Strategic Asset Management,Sunguard ,Surveys,Sx3,System alignment,Symatrix Human Capital Management, TonySmithHousing, Systemwise,SM,Sequoa,Serros,SP,Scout,score,Swordfish,Serengeti,SOTI,southview,Sunguard,Service Charges,Spotlight Service, Spotlightservice, SunAccounts, Social Housing Software Applications, Template,Task,Terminal Services, tonys , tonysm , tonysmi , tonysmith, tonysmitht, gotonysmith, tableau Business Dashboards, tonysmithth, tonysmiththa, tonysmiththat, tonysmiththath, tonysmiththatho, tonysmiththathou, tonysmiththathous, tonysmiththathousi, tonysmiththathousin, tonysmiththathousing,Tony Smith That,Tony Smith That Housing IT Guy,TonySmith that housing IT, guy,tonysmiththathousing, tonysmiththathousinguy,tony smith housing guy,sharepoint, share point, SHBVN, Three Star,Today,Total repairs,Tribal,Twitter,U2, tonysmith , tonysmiththat , thathousing , thathousingIT , thathousingITguy, TED,Tagish Casework,TP Tracker,Telecetera,Tagra,Trace, Totalmobile, Total Mobile, UniClass Enterprise,Unidata,Universal Housing,Universalcredit, universal credit, universal credits,UC,Universe,Unrest, UK, United Kingdom ,Ukhousing,UK Housing, Van Stock,Voice and data,Vantage Sentinel,verse one,verseone,vWork,Version One,Visualmetrics,Voluntas, Wales,Welsh,Windows Server,Workflow and tasking,Wheatley,Works Connect,worksConnect, Xmbrace,XML ,XenApp,Xen App ..

Friday 22 September 2017

Moscow Underground

If you do the Twitter thing, follow me at @HousingITguy
or LinkedIn here https://uk.linkedin.com/in/tonysmiththathousingitguy


We are in strange times and a new phrase has entered our lexicon ‘Fake News’. This is a type of yellow journalism, or propaganda that consists of deliberate misinformation or hoaxes spread via traditional print and broadcast news media or online social media. It intends to mislead to gain financially or politically.

We watch the Donald perform and claim real facts are fake news, as they do not match his opinion. It’s the ‘I think, therefore I am right’ proposition. Me and you however though, we would never be fooled by such clear rubbish. Would we?

On Twitter, Facebook or even Google, how can we trust what we see served up? On Twitter and Facebook we are in an echo chamber of a kind. When I tweet about SocialHousing, which I do a lot, most of which probably share some of my experience and opinions. I have met a lot of my followers, or have worked for a year or more with many. You (dear reader) might have met me propping up a bar or enjoying a cake at some junket or other!

LBC investigates David Jones Locker
But what of a lot of those tweeters, looking to influence us, who we have never met and never will? One account I have come across more than once in discussions, was Brexiteer David Jones (@DavidJo52951945). Seemingly an angry chap from Southampton/Isle of Wight, pro-prexit, anti-EU, anti-immigrant, and a bit anti-Ukraine in the Crimea. That should have rang some alarm bells for me I guess.

I found it interesting reading some of the research carried out by @conspirator0, who has an interesting twitter stream, often covering such subjects.

This Twitter account had over 100k followers, 136k tweets, so quite clearly must have been quite influential. The spooky thing is that this account only seems to tweet between 8am & 8pm, but on Moscow time. It is just like it might be his (or their) job, doesn’t it?

Clocking on/off, the Moscow time 8-8propaganda tweeting pattern
 Clearly this is a human, not bot managed account. It certainly can be imagined how this account and several others, have been influenced towards Brexit, break up of the UK or the suitability of a Trump for the president.

Often I engage with followers and others on Twitter, who are opposed to some of my opinions. Luckily we live in a relatively free society and I will defend anyone’s right to express their opinion. Better they were in the open, than hidden behind closed doors.

I have noticed many articles cited in ‘alternative’ sources lately, have you?  

Here is one from a website, called the ‘Brutalist Press’, which was suggested in response to (an incorrect) suggestion that GDPR was an EU spying plot: https://brutalist.press/posts/3516/european-union-calls-for-massive-internet-censorship GDPR is many irritating things but not this.

The first question I asked, is who on earth are the ‘Brutalist Press’. Strangely, a ‘WhoIs’ lookup, shows it is a Russian website owner.


The Brutalist Press WhoIs entry - Pointing back to Russia again

So it does make you wonder who we are following, listening to, believing, and retweeting, to spread lots of this fake news and mis-information. It could be the Ruskies behind it all.

Read more on @DavidJo52951945 from TheAustralian
Watch James O Brian of LBC's take on fake twitter accounts

Related Post: Don't let the fake twitter bots get you down 


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I would be pleased to connect with you on LinkedIn - http://uk.linkedin.com/in/tonysmiththathousingitguy Message me with any issues or queries, you would like to be explored in this blog. We generally receive a couple of suggestions each month.

Simple Minds - Moscow UndergroundSimple Minds - Moscow Underground.
(c) Tony Smith, Acutance Consulting www.acutanceconsulting.co.uk 07854-655009


Access a quick list of our Social Housing ICT blog posts here

Could we help you or your organisation? Our contact details are here , get in touch we will be pleased to chat about your problems and help with your organisation issues.

File Under: 360,1stTouch,4Js. , 07854655009 ,365Agile," """" ",,#UKHousing,#HousingDAY, #HomesForBritain,#InternetOfTenants, #Shout,1st Touch,3squared,Accuserv,Acutence,Aareon,Academy,ActiveH,AirWatch,Alignment,ALMO,Anite,Apex,ArchHouse,Archouse,asbestos, Asprey e-state pro,ActiveHousing,Asset Management,Aurora,Average IT Costs,App,Associates,ACL,Abritas,AMS,AX,aspireview,Agile365, BO,BPR,Browser Applications,Business Objects,Business Planning, Business Process Review,Business social networking, Blockwise, Block wise,BI,BancTec,BluTek,Bluebox, Castle,CBL,Cedar Open Accounts,Cx,Change,Cheaper Housing IT,Chics, CHR,Citrix,Civica,Clearview,CMS , CCS IT Keystone CCSIT,Civica Genero,Contractor Systems,CORE,CorVu,Cost Reductions,Covalent,CRM,Crystal Reports,CTI,CTX,Customer Relationship Management,Cashflow, COA,Coactiva,Codeman,Comino,Competitive Dialogue process,complex IT procurements,Component Accounting, Community Reward Services, Consilium, Consolidation, Consultancy,Consultant,Contact Manager,Context,CIH,Chartered Institute Of Housing,Cadcorp,Cerrus Saturn,convergeOne,CACI,CPL, CRS Director, Deeplake,Development Systems,Accuserve,Document Management,Documotive,datasystems , Microsoft dynamics GP 2013, DynamicAI, Dynamic AI, ECMK,EDRMS,England, English,EnterpriseBI,ERP Systems,ERP,Elmhurst,Estatecraft,EDM,ESRI,Exponential-e, Finance, Financial Systems, Financials, Factorwise,Facebook ,Footprint,Fusion, Getting best from,gotonysmith, Grasp,Grip,GeoSolveIT,GIS,GGP,Genero,GCloud,G-Cloud,HouSys,Housing software,HFI (Housing Financials interface),HG,Housemark survey,Housing Blueprint,Housemark, HRA,housingtITguy,Housing Support Pro,HousingSupportPro,Housing Options,Hometeam, Housing Group,hotpixuk, HousingIT,hotpix,Hardware,Hitex,Housing Contact Company,housing predictive analytics, Impact Response,iPayPro,implementations,iRobot,In House,InHouse,In4,InMotion, InMotion2016, InMotion2015, InMotion2016 , Exhibition, conference,Housing Management Consultant,Housing Management Consultants, Infoflow,Information Technology,Informix,inHouse,in-house workforce,Information@Work components, Innovation,Inside Housing,Internet Portal,Internetalia,Information Management Server,IMS, Invu,Ireland,Irish,Inphase , IT Budget,IT Training,iWorld, Innovation Group Apex,ITIL, In4Systems Promaster,IT,Insight, iSupport,iSupportPro, Keylogic,Keystone,Kirona,Kypera,Keypera Hometeam,Keyfax,Ledgers,Linkedin,Locality,Liquid Voice,MD ,Mr Void , MrVoid, Measuring Change,Mebus,Miracle,MISCS,mDesign,mobile functionality,mobile platform,Monopoly board images and pictures, Montal,MS Dynamics,MS Dynamics CRM2011,Miracle Software,MDM,Management,CRM2013,Reporting,MI,M3,MIS,MIS-AMS,Mobysoft, Northgate Codeman,Neighbourhoods and Communities,NPS,NPS Housing,NPS CRM,NPS Job Manager Mobile, Northgate,Notice,NROSH,NINTEX,NINTEX workflow,Natural Forms,Nintexworkflow,NPS ASSIST, OA,OGC Buying Solutions,Ohms,OJEU Limits,OmFax,Omniledger,Open source software,open tender,OpenHousing,Opti-time,Oracle,Orchard,Optitime DRS,Outsource and outsourcing,OpenContractor,ORS,OneServe, PIMMS Data Systems, Paloma,performance management systems,PfH, Pick,PIMMS,pimms4communities, Planned maintenance,People Value,Plus, Peoplevalue, PM,Progress,Promaster,Proval,Pyramid,PRINCE2,prince,Pamwin,PlanForm, Propoints, Pro-Points,predictive analytics for housing, QL,QLX,Quiss,Qlikview, QueryView,Queryview reporting,Registered Providers,Registered Social Landlord,Rent Increase Freezes,Repairfinder,Reporting,Reports,ROCC,RobotAutomation,Rave Technologies (India) PVT Limited, Rocket,RPs,RSL,Reality,ReAct,reidmark,RM865, Saffron,SAP,Scots, "Social Housing IT",Social Housing ICT, Scottish,Scenario, Scotland,SDM,sector,TonySmithHou,Safron,Server Virtualisation,servicing, Servitor,Sharepoint, Simdel,Simdell,SimPro,Sim Pro,Slash and Burn,Social Media,Software,SQL Open Housing,SQL Reporting Services,SQL reporting services,SQL Server,Star rating,Stores and Stock,Strategic Asset Management,Sunguard ,Surveys,Sx3,System alignment,Symatrix Human Capital Management, TonySmithHousing, Systemwise,SM,Sequoa,Serros,SP,Scout,score,Swordfish,Serengeti,SOTI,southview,Sunguard,Service Charges,Spotlight Service, Spotlightservice, SunAccounts, Social Housing Software Applications, Template,Task,Terminal Services, tonys , tonysm , tonysmi , tonysmith, tonysmitht, gotonysmith, tableau Business Dashboards, tonysmithth, tonysmiththa, tonysmiththat, tonysmiththath, tonysmiththatho, tonysmiththathou, tonysmiththathous, tonysmiththathousi, tonysmiththathousin, tonysmiththathousing,Tony Smith That,Tony Smith That Housing IT Guy,TonySmith that housing IT, guy,tonysmiththathousing, tonysmiththathousinguy,tony smith housing guy,sharepoint, share point, SHBVN, Three Star,Today,Total repairs,Tribal,Twitter,U2, tonysmith , tonysmiththat , thathousing , thathousingIT , thathousingITguy, TED,Tagish Casework,TP Tracker,Telecetera,Tagra,Trace, Totalmobile, Total Mobile, UniClass Enterprise,Unidata,Universal Housing,Universalcredit, universal credit, universal credits,UC,Universe,Unrest, UK, United Kingdom ,Ukhousing,UK Housing, Van Stock,Voice and data,Vantage Sentinel,verse one,verseone,vWork,Version One,Visualmetrics,Voluntas, Wales,Welsh,Windows Server,Workflow and tasking,Wheatley,Works Connect,worksConnect, Xmbrace,XML ,XenApp,Xen App ..

Wednesday 13 September 2017

Peace Of Mind

If you do the Twitter thing, follow me at @HousingITguy
or LinkedIn here https://uk.linkedin.com/in/tonysmiththathousingitguy


As anyone who has worked with me knows, I have always done a lot of work around components, socialhousing compliance and cyclical processes.

I remember quite a while ago, coming across some surveyors who seemed stranger than most, in that they seemed to complete a lot of internal surveys, always towards the end of the day.

Fascinating though that was, it indicated that they were not getting into some of the properties at all. The answer was simply to add a little bar code in every door jamb, which had to be photographed as the first question on the mobile survey. For such a small initiative, it increased accuracy in the survey team and made a massive difference to performance too.

It’s a pity there is always a need to constantly follow up contractors or staff, to ensure procedures are being followed. No more crucial, is the area of Landlord Gas Servicing, which as we know can result in CEOs being consigned to the clink, an addition to unlimited fines.

Last week while doing some work at a council housing team in Somerset, I saw a brilliantly updated version of the idea above, providing gas compliance peace of mind.

GasTag is a new mobile app that evidences that the right certified Gas Safe engineer is in the right asset, servicing the right equipment, at the date they were meant to. It is quite a leap from the original basic bar code, although starts with a QR code RFD tag, which identifies all appliances that are found in the target property or communal facility, in the annual LGSR service schedule.

An integral GasTag app, allows the gas engineer to be linked to their certification, before attempting to carry out any work.

Every summer, ‘er indoors & I always organise a service on the Worcester-Bosch. Strangely, until it was pointed out to me, I realised that I had never asked, for our local gas engineers Gas Safe registration number. Clearly, I should be paying much closer attention(!).

With the GasTag app, invalid or expired certification, means no servicing, taking away this issue completely. As seen recently on BBC’s Rogue Traders, this is a big problem, with GasSafe Register estimating that over a million dodgy gas jobs apparently carried out in the UK by un-certified engineers.

The GasTag app allows the qualified Gas Engineer or DLO operative to complete the necessary LGSR form, being guided through each step, based on all the gas appliances in the property. Each is scanned or detected via its QR or RFC tag, as the service progresses. This documents each appliance make, model, serial etc in the secure Gas Tag Cloud. Where tenants have added a second gas fire, cooker or other appliance, this can be added and tagged on the fly, including image & details, including warranty if applicable.

As you would expect, the easy to use mobile app geotags and date stamps the LGSR, so there is no opportunity for fraud or mistakes. No access is a common problem and this is catered for too. A no-access card can be put in the letterbox, photo taken of it hanging out the front door, all geotagged and date/time stamped.

A PDF of the LGSR (Landlords Gas Safety Record) is then available to be emailed to the resident and also able to be accessed by the landlord for adding into EDRMS/Document Management system.

While too many RSL’s seem to still insecurely record and monitor gas service compliance on Excel spreadsheets, GasTag provides a handy portal.


I can see that auditors, as well as socialhousing performance and quality bods, will really love this. It’s certainly having an impact where I encountered it at Taunton Deane Borough Council for compliance, where it’s been working in the field for some time.

If you have sleepless nights about the state of your gas compliance and are like me going to the NHF Conference in Birmingham next week, check them out on stand 47.

Do say hi too, if you spot me down there. Register free now for the event at http://www.eventdata.co.uk/Forms/Default.aspx?FormRef=Hou97Visitor

Read more about GasTag at http://gastag.co.uk  or contact them on 03302 290277

    

Attend NHF

Visit

Register


Related Post: Why time is the key for efficient gas servicing 


_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/

I would be pleased to connect with you on LinkedIn - http://uk.linkedin.com/in/tonysmiththathousingitguy Message me with any issues or queries, you would like to be explored in this blog. We generally receive a couple of suggestions each month.

Boston – Peace Of MindBoston – Peace Of Mind.
(c) Tony Smith, Acutance Consulting www.acutanceconsulting.co.uk 07854-655009


Access a quick list of our Social Housing ICT blog posts here

Could we help you or your organisation? Our contact details are here , get in touch we will be pleased to chat about your problems and help with your organisation issues.

File Under: 360,1stTouch,4Js. , 07854655009 ,365Agile," """" ",,#UKHousing,#HousingDAY, #HomesForBritain,#InternetOfTenants, #Shout,1st Touch,3squared,Accuserv,Acutence,Aareon,Academy,ActiveH,AirWatch,Alignment,ALMO,Anite,Apex,ArchHouse,Archouse,asbestos, Asprey e-state pro,ActiveHousing,Asset Management,Aurora,Average IT Costs,App,Associates,ACL,Abritas,AMS,AX,aspireview,Agile365, BO,BPR,Browser Applications,Business Objects,Business Planning, Business Process Review,Business social networking, Blockwise, Block wise,BI,BancTec,BluTek,Bluebox, Castle,CBL,Cedar Open Accounts,Cx,Change,Cheaper Housing IT,Chics, CHR,Citrix,Civica,Clearview,CMS , CCS IT Keystone CCSIT,Civica Genero,Contractor Systems,CORE,CorVu,Cost Reductions,Covalent,CRM,Crystal Reports,CTI,CTX,Customer Relationship Management,Cashflow, COA,Coactiva,Codeman,Comino,Competitive Dialogue process,complex IT procurements,Component Accounting, Community Reward Services, Consilium, Consolidation, Consultancy,Consultant,Contact Manager,Context,CIH,Chartered Institute Of Housing,Cadcorp,Cerrus Saturn,convergeOne,CACI,CPL, CRS Director, Deeplake,Development Systems,Accuserve,Document Management,Documotive,datasystems , Microsoft dynamics GP 2013, DynamicAI, Dynamic AI, ECMK,EDRMS,England, English,EnterpriseBI,ERP Systems,ERP,Elmhurst,Estatecraft,EDM,ESRI,Exponential-e, Finance, Financial Systems, Financials, Factorwise,Facebook ,Footprint,Fusion, Getting best from,gotonysmith, Grasp,Grip,GeoSolveIT,GIS,GGP,Genero,GCloud,G-Cloud,HouSys,Housing software,HFI (Housing Financials interface),HG,Housemark survey,Housing Blueprint,Housemark, HRA,housingtITguy,Housing Support Pro,HousingSupportPro,Housing Options,Hometeam, Housing Group,hotpixuk, HousingIT,hotpix,Hardware,Hitex,Housing Contact Company,housing predictive analytics, Impact Response,iPayPro,implementations,iRobot,In House,InHouse,In4,InMotion, InMotion2016, InMotion2015, InMotion2016 , Exhibition, conference,Housing Management Consultant,Housing Management Consultants, Infoflow,Information Technology,Informix,inHouse,in-house workforce,Information@Work components, Innovation,Inside Housing,Internet Portal,Internetalia,Information Management Server,IMS, Invu,Ireland,Irish,Inphase , IT Budget,IT Training,iWorld, Innovation Group Apex,ITIL, In4Systems Promaster,IT,Insight, iSupport,iSupportPro, Keylogic,Keystone,Kirona,Kypera,Keypera Hometeam,Keyfax,Ledgers,Linkedin,Locality,Liquid Voice,MD ,Mr Void , MrVoid, Measuring Change,Mebus,Miracle,MISCS,mDesign,mobile functionality,mobile platform,Monopoly board images and pictures, Montal,MS Dynamics,MS Dynamics CRM2011,Miracle Software,MDM,Management,CRM2013,Reporting,MI,M3,MIS,MIS-AMS,Mobysoft, Northgate Codeman,Neighbourhoods and Communities,NPS,NPS Housing,NPS CRM,NPS Job Manager Mobile, Northgate,Notice,NROSH,NINTEX,NINTEX workflow,Natural Forms,Nintexworkflow,NPS ASSIST, OA,OGC Buying Solutions,Ohms,OJEU Limits,OmFax,Omniledger,Open source software,open tender,OpenHousing,Opti-time,Oracle,Orchard,Optitime DRS,Outsource and outsourcing,OpenContractor,ORS,OneServe, PIMMS Data Systems, Paloma,performance management systems,PfH, Pick,PIMMS,pimms4communities, Planned maintenance,People Value,Plus, Peoplevalue, PM,Progress,Promaster,Proval,Pyramid,PRINCE2,prince,Pamwin,PlanForm, Propoints, Pro-Points,predictive analytics for housing, QL,QLX,Quiss,Qlikview, QueryView,Queryview reporting,Registered Providers,Registered Social Landlord,Rent Increase Freezes,Repairfinder,Reporting,Reports,ROCC,RobotAutomation,Rave Technologies (India) PVT Limited, Rocket,RPs,RSL,Reality,ReAct,reidmark,RM865, Saffron,SAP,Scots, "Social Housing IT",Social Housing ICT, Scottish,Scenario, Scotland,SDM,sector,TonySmithHou,Safron,Server Virtualisation,servicing, Servitor,Sharepoint, Simdel,Simdell,SimPro,Sim Pro,Slash and Burn,Social Media,Software,SQL Open Housing,SQL Reporting Services,SQL reporting services,SQL Server,Star rating,Stores and Stock,Strategic Asset 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Saturday 9 September 2017

Enough Time

If you do the Twitter thing, follow me at @HousingITguy
or LinkedIn here https://uk.linkedin.com/in/tonysmiththathousingitguy



Time flies
Time crawls
Like an insect
Up and down the walls….



I am sure other scholars of the Post-Punk era, will be able to tell me where those lines come from.

Seriously though, are there many situations, where we find we have ‘enough time’ to do projects well? All projects are of course a compromise, regarding what can be realistically delivered, in the target timescale.

I have worked as implementer on dozens of projects and well as kick-starter and critical friend on others, more recently. The latter is becoming increasingly common and some tell me essential, to ensure projects deliver what they set out to, nothing is missed and they are done to time.

In my case, these have included replacement of housing management systems, implementation of Contractor, mobile working and self-service digital projects, as well as finance and transactional systems. From a time management viewpoint there are a number of gotchas, which often pop up.

In most of these projects, a number of days & a cost has been tendered. The client expectation is that the solution will be brought in, for around this cost/timescale, notwithstanding some change control, during the project. 

Its easy early in a project for suppliers to be a little blasé about how project days are used. Often heard is “Don’t worry, we have plenty of project days”. This phrase always makes me smile, because clearly the supplier in their bid, put in the minimum number of days, in order to do the job. I.E. keeping their costs down, to help win maximum points they could, on ‘Price’. So don’t be fooled by this.

Make every day on site count. Set objectives agreed before the day and before the supplier/implementer leaves, have them sign off objectives complete and yours and their assessment of the day. If they spent half the day onto their helpdesk, trying to iron out issues, that was not your problem and you should probably only pay half a day for that one. Alternatively, if your network was down until 12:30 and the implementer could not start their work, that clearly was the clients fault. Some canny suppliers do this, in my book, all clients should be considering it.

Documenting progress in this way and referencing it in a summary fashion at project board meetings, makes it way easier to see how time is being spent on the project.

All projects are like roller coasters with ups and downs. That’s their nature unfortunately. Getting within three months of the target go-live, that is when the microscope needs to be on the time remaining and what is left to do. By this point, we should have pretty much all deliverables and be ready to start proper UAT, after some reasonable system testing has proved the rough ‘end-to-end’ is there. If not, then this is the time, if we have not done so already, we need your supplier to step up their pace. Otherwise, they are potentially jeopardising go live.

Reasonable suppliers with some persuasion, will step up at this point, in my experience. If it is inevitable we are going to need more time for go-live, it is essential that all tasks required are known and a reasonable revised date set. I always work from the idea that what we ask for, cannot be moveable. I.E. if we say we need another 3 months, client & supplier need to be sure, come hell or hurricane Harvey, we can’t possibly be back in 2 months time, asking for more.

On a final point too, if any deliverables are pushed into phase 2, or a later one. Ensure existing quoted project days are agreed by supplier to satisfy it. This might be where your logs of how existing project time was spent comes in, to help you keep your project costs under control.       

If you have a project that you feel might need some assistance, feel free to DM or contact me for an informal chat.

Related Post: Are sales under-selling software benefits? 


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I would be pleased to connect with you on LinkedIn - http://uk.linkedin.com/in/tonysmiththathousingitguy Message me with any issues or queries, you would like to be explored in this blog. We generally receive a couple of suggestions each month.

Stranglers – Enough TimeStranglers – Enough Time.
(c) Tony Smith, Acutance Consulting www.acutanceconsulting.co.uk 07854-655009


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