Interesting presentation.  With today's flash and "pretty" technology it would seem that it is all too easy to upgrade the company software without going through a structured process.  Define what the company requires from the software, invest the resources and maintain the development and training make sense.  I have seen companies hurtle into the new, latest software spending large sums of money but without working out if it is want they want or need and if it's the right one for the right price.

Too often, when we are doing a system upgade / implementation, we forget to focus on the steps identified in this clip.  In reality, these are logical, widely known and simple to follow (implementation is often harder).

By default in my organisation I have become a Product Champion.  By doing so, as part of the training that I provide, I aim to implement best practice across the cost centres that are within my remit.

As product champion I need to reassess the current needs of the business as a whole. A recent acquisition remains on its previous IT system which makes reporting and control within the group less than adequate. I need to plan for how we bring that business into the group structure.

As we approach software selection to replace our legacy, poorly supported and developed systems I am reminded of just how much of a "Product Champion" I have, by default, become. I am concerned that, as I am only a few years away from retirement, I should not allow myself to become the "Product Champion" for the new systems once chosen.  I am also reminded of the importance of properly setting our objectives and managing the process of change, which should in this case incorporate the management of my own succession.