Project Delivery Process D481

D481 - Resolve Outstanding Policy Issues

DEFINITION

Identify outstanding detailed policy / procedure issues.  Agree recommendations, e.g. modify the requirements, design, software or procedures, or elevate issue to senior management for policy decision.

SUMMARY

Ensure all issues related to business policies and processes resulting from prototype sessions are addressed.  Escalate issues to senior sponsor and beyond if necessary.  Ensure all concerned parties understand and accept the outcome.

PATH PLANNING GUIDANCE

This process is optional.  It is normal practice following iterative prototyping sessions.

DEPENDENCIES

Prerequisites (Finish-Finish):

• Set up, execute and manage prototyping workshops (D392)
• Design/prototype by topic (D400/D450)
• Consolidate prototyping results (D471)

Dependent procedures (Finish-Finish):

• Custom development processes (D6xx)
• Development of  finalised package customisation, procedures and organisational solution (D7xx)

RECEIVABLES

• Issues List
• Prototype Procedures
• Prototype Session Results
• Prototype Results Summary

DELIVERABLES

• Policy Decisions

TOOLS

• Issue/Resolution Log

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TASKS

Resolve Policy Issues

The purpose of this task is to obtain core team resolution of business policy issues that arose out of the package prototyping process but which could not be resolved within the framework of that process.  The resulting review notes might include:

• Overview of proceedings
• Decisions
• Approvals
• Immediate action items.

All policy issues raised from the prototype session should be included in the review.  The log record should be in sufficient detail to ensure complete and accurate understanding of decisions.  There should be a clear definition of outstanding policy issues provided to the core team for resolution. The project manager should ensure that those outstanding policy issues are resolved before continuing.

In some cases, issues may need to be escalated to the project’s sponsor and beyond.  There have been cases of  minor design points leading to unresolvable disagreements that required a decision from the chief executive.

All concerned parties should be aware of the discussions and result.  Where there has been dissension, it is important that the final decision is clear, documented and its authority is accepted by all parties.