Finishing a project in IT does not mean the same thing as ending the project management timeline. A Post Implementation Review (PIR) is conducted after completing the project and is one of the most important aspects of the project life-cycle because it ensures that the organization benefits from the project’s outcome. The objective of system enhancements and software upgrades is not an end in itself but rather to address the specific business needs. It is for this reason a PIR is crucial to a successful project. A PIR evaluates whether project objectives were met, how effectively the project was run, lessons for the future, and the actions required to maximize the benefits from the project outputs. This, no doubt, is the real measure of success.

In 2020, for example, Nolij was tasked by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) to do an independent PIR of their mission-critical Integrated Management Administrative Resource Tool (iMART) and their Production, Supply, and Distribution (PSD) systems after enhancements had been made. In collaboration with two FAS stakeholder groups, a team of senior business analysts from Nolij analyzed months of data to determine whether critical FAS business processes were being supported and help decision-makers improve investment decisions. The primary benefit of iMART to FAS is its unique ability to manage and integrate USDA’s strategic planning with human resources, logistics, and financial activities associated with overseas operations. The PSD system underpins the critical analysis and market intelligence that is foundational to the FAS mission of expanding U.S. agricultural exports through trade policy initiatives, marketing activities, and trade capacity projects. The PSD is the primary data system for global agricultural production, trade, consumption, and stocks.

Nolij analyzed months of data from PSD and iMART and provided recommendations on IT architecture, project management, customer acceptance, business process support and boosting high-performance in the workforce. Additionally, the concluding report included:

1. Evaluation of return on investment (ROI) to date; an objective cost versus anticipated savings appraisal
2. Assessment of enterprise architecture, IT infrastructure and system functionality by measuring performance, security risks and mitigation strategies
3. Determining impact to stakeholders by evaluating business process support and FAS investment decision-making processes for IT projects

Working on the PIR for USDA was a wonderful collaborative opportunity for the Nolij business analyst team as demonstrated by the praise received from the FAS PSD project manager: “Thanks for the high-quality effort and results!” For Nolij, helping customers reach their business goals defines our success.

Learn more about Nolij Consulting and how we can advance your business goals at Nolijconsulting.com.