joel banezdirector of college software| westmont collegeSanta Barbara, Ca, United States
Our vendor has informed us that their business analyst leading our salesforce implementation of their product is being replaced and is taking a less direct role due to personal reasons. She's established a good rapport with our internal team. Is there any thing to be gained by inquiring more details about the personal reasons? How do we best assess our vendor's assurance that this change won't impact the overall timeline. Saving Changes...
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Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
I was "sitting of both sides of the desk" (as a vendor and as a client), First of all, you are the client and you have to demmand to your vendor this type of thing will not happend. No matter the better process your vendor has in place this type of things ever have an impact. Mainly when the busines analyst role iis changed. On the other side, what you can say is a kickly risk assessment with your team to be aware about things that can negativelly impact the project. And the last thing you can do is be sure that all your vendor say about the new business analyst is real. Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Make sure you are aware and confident of the following:
1- The new BA is qualified and up to the tasks
2- Get to know the reasons behind replacing the previous BA as it might be personal and comoany related. It is important to know why so you can avoid the same in the future.
3- As th4 client, you need to be clear and refer to the contractual obligations and rights if anything falls out of place. Saving Changes...
John TiesoAuthor, Lecturer in Business Management| The Catholic University of America, Busch School of Business & EconomicsArlington, Va, United States
It is reasonable to expect that these kinds of situation might occur, but infrequently. Due diligence before award should uncover situations where they have resorted to 'bait and switch' -- substituting a less expensive or lower level person after contract award--as opposed to a real circumstance.
Personally, I would insist on interviewing the proposed replacement before they report for the contract, and assure myself they are fully qualified, and have been read into the project sufficiently to get going quickly.
from the overall team, vendor and customer, perspective, I would have a complete team meeting as soon as the person comes on board and have a briefing on who does what to bring them up-to-date. Additionally, I would make it clear in task orders that substitutions come with a period of 'probation' to ensure that they do work in with the team. Saving Changes...
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
You don't have a lot of leeway in finding out the reason. If they say "personal reasons", you have to respect the vendor and individual's privacy.
I find it interesting that Joel mentions that the analyst is taking a "less direct role". I take it the person is still on the project but not likely client-facing anymore. If that's the case, your vendor will still be able to leverage the original analyst for information and mentoring. Saving Changes...
joel banezdirector of college software| westmont collegeSanta Barbara, Ca, United States
Thank you Sergio, Rami, and John. Assessing the new BA's creds did come into play and his first meeting with the team impressed us. Our vendor did us good and pulled out their other ace to replace the ace we lost.
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Feb 24, 2016 10:05 PM
Replying to joel banez
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Thank you Sergio, Rami, and John. Assessing the new BA's creds did come into play and his first meeting with the team impressed us. Our vendor did us good and pulled out their other ace to replace the ace we lost.
All the feedback was most appreciated.
You're Welcome ... Good Luck Joel Saving Changes...
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