lodestar solutions' technical implementation methodology

Lodestar Implementation Methodology Solution

Behind every successful Business Analytics implementation there is a combination of critical factors such as the right technology, the implementation methodology solution, integration services and training. The failure of one of these factors impacts the implementation and success of the project.

Based on our extensive experience, expertise and industry best practices, we have developed Lodestar Implementation Methodology Solution (LIMS) which enables us to offer unparalleled service leveraged on the excellence of our consultants. Our proven methodology allows clients to realize rapid and measurable results. Clients will be educated on our process so that additional implementation phases can leverage internal resources.

The Lodestar Implementation Methodology Solution process is divided in 7 stages and ensures that:

• Deliverables are well-defined, documented and signed off
• Technical pre-requisites are documented and communicated
• Delivery process is understood and agreed upon by all key participants
• Solution is designed and tested to meet client specifications
• Progress is documented and communicated to key participants and sponsors
• Changes are managed and controlled
• Issues are logged, tracked, and acted upon
• The deployment of the solution is controlled and risk-free
• Production is fully supported
• Knowledge is shared and reused

PHASE 1 EVALUATION
Evaluation Phase – Understanding Business Requirements
Our Sales Engineers and Professional Services Project Managers work together to understand the prospective client’s business needs and develop a solution to meet those needs

PHASE 2 ANALYSIS
Analysis Phase – Defining Solution and Services Deliverables
Lodestar Project Managers and Consultants work with client resources to define a common, documented understanding of the solution and services to be delivered.

PHASE 3 DESIGN
Design Phase – Creating a Detailed Roadmap for Building the Solution
This phase focuses on the design to be built to meeting the business’ needs. A rigorous technical specification will be defined including framework, and cube to be build, integration with subsystems.

PHASE 4 BUILD
Build Phase – Creating the Solution
This phase focuses on an iterative development methodology designed to ensure that solution is built according to the rigorous technical specifications defined in the previous phases of the project. The key activities of this phase include coding, integration, and documentation.

PHASE 5 TEST
Test Phase -Testing the Solution
This phase focuses on testing the solution built in the earlier phase to insure it is build to meet the business needs.

PHASE 6 DEPLOY
Train and Deploy Phase – Preparing the Client and Implementing Solution
This phase depends on the cut-over plan developed in the previous phase.

PHASE 7 SUPPORT & GROW
Ensuring the Solution Continues to Meet the Client’s Ongoing Needs
This phase guarantees the on-going support of the implemented solution and allows the client to expand their use of the IBM Cognos system to meet changing business needs.

*Timelines will vary by project.