FW: [Prodev] Migration pace

[Richard M. Jost]

Georgia,

In response to your question, I don't think that I have ever had a project completed in the timeline
that I envisioned when setting up the original project specifications. I agree that it is imperative
to set up a timeline for yourself and the rest of the project team so that everyone can see that
there is actually an end planned for each project (always a good sign!) but you need to remain
flexible to change it. There are too many variables that will come up during the course of a project
that will either add or subtract time from your timeline (some from outside sources, like vendors,
or some internal, like staff vacations, illnesses, equipment failure) that you have to be open to
adjustment. I like to review the progress of a project on a weekly basis to make sure that it is
still on track, including the budget expenditures, timeline and staffing. And of course, you know
that when the vendor says that you can count on them for a firm delivery or installation date, you
just  might want to have a back-up plan for that day!

Richard

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Richard M. Jost
Assistant Librarian for Technical Services
University of Washington
Gallagher Law Library
1100 NE Campus Parkway, Condon Hall
Seattle, WA  98105
206.685.8152 (voice).......206.685.2165 (fax)
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

-----Original Message-----
From: prodev-admin@aallnet.org [mailto:prodev-admin@aallnet.org]On
Behalf Of Georgia K. Briscoe
Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2001 8:37 AM
To: prodev@aallnet.org
Subject: RE: [Prodev] Migration pace


I agree with Andrea's excellent advice to keep moving in small baby steps,
especially if you are a small library.  It's easy to be overwhelmed with
all the work involved in migrating systems, even if you have a good and
reasonably-sized staff.   In my case, I have big feet and tend to take
fast, large steps....and, my staff don't mind telling me to slow down!

One of the key ingredients in any project is flexibility.  Developing a
timeline, even if it is only in your head, is always good practice.
However, being able to roll with the punches is a must.   For instance, if
you find problems when your records are run through cleanup and authority
control, it's best to take the time to do whatever is necessary for a clean
load.

I've found it frustrating to get vendors to meet my timelines. Have your
projects stayed on time or has flexibility been required?
Georgia

At 12:16 PM 11/7/01 -0500, you wrote:
>Amen to the small library-one person doing it all as expeditiously as
>possible-at least in my small law firm library, you may consult-make sure
>items are in budget, keep reference librarians informed in quick swallowable
>segments, but implementation has meant roll up your sleeves and do it. One
>of the difficulties I see in implementation is the doing it-the committee
>approach to implementation when you don't have the staff to support that can
>mean no implementation.  My advice is to take baby steps but move, don't let
>the size of the whole job overwhelm you.
>
>Andrea Bender
>Technical Services Librarian
>Williams & Connolly LLP
>202-434-5319
>abender@wc.com
>
>

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Georgia Briscoe, Associate Director and Head of Technical Services
University of Colorado Law Library, Fleming Law Building, Rm 190,
   CB 402, 2405 Kittredge Loop Drive, Boulder, CO 80309
Phone: 303 492 7312  Fax: 303 492 2707  E-mail: briscoe@colorado.edu





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