University of Sunderland COMM80 Risk Assessment of Systems ChangeUnit 14 The RAMESES Method. COMM80: Risk Assessment of Systems Change Unit 14

University of Sunderland COMM80 Risk Assessment of Systems ChangeUnit 14 Objectives of Session Coverage To understand the systems change perspective considered. To learn about the Concept of “Risk” in the method. To gain an understanding of the RAMESES method.

University of Sunderland COMM80 Risk Assessment of Systems ChangeUnit 14 What is RAMESES ? An approach that can be used by SMEs to assess risk of systems change. Why is it needed? –Do IT systems always to live up to expectation? –Do IT systems always fit how the business operates? Systems Specification is hard. Two aspects of change: Business process and IT systems.

University of Sunderland COMM80 Risk Assessment of Systems ChangeUnit 14 Background to RAMESES Development via liaison with SMEs –studied them and their problems/successes in deploying new IT systems. Usage –tested and refined in a range of (mostly manufacturing) SMEs.

University of Sunderland COMM80 Risk Assessment of Systems ChangeUnit 14 Concept of “Risk” Risk is not viewed as a percentage or number –Risk of systems change can only be assessed by profiling: the differences between views of business activity the gaps between perceived and actual IT usage.

University of Sunderland COMM80 Risk Assessment of Systems ChangeUnit 14 RAMESES Framework

University of Sunderland COMM80 Risk Assessment of Systems ChangeUnit 14 Components of RAMESES Data collection (auditing) System specification Analysis (comparisons, gaps) Risk assessment (gauges)

University of Sunderland COMM80 Risk Assessment of Systems ChangeUnit 14 Data Collection (Auditing) l DC1-1: Identify Business Activities l DC1-2: Mark IT Usage on the Business Activity Model l DC1-3: Undertake IT Audit l DC1-4: Map Proposed IT System onto the Business Activity Model l DC2-1: Scope the Extent of the Detailed Data Collection l DC2-2: Identify Staff within the Business Processes l DC2-3: Task Trail the Business Processes within the Boundary l DC2-4: Audit Staff IT Profile l DC2-5: Audit Staff IT-Satisfaction

University of Sunderland COMM80 Risk Assessment of Systems ChangeUnit 14 System Specification l SS-1: Identify Technical Systems Specification for Required System. l SS-2: Develop List of New IT System Features: l Infrastructure l Business/Sector Specific l Support Services l SS-3: Define Range of Potential Actions for Identified Changes

University of Sunderland COMM80 Risk Assessment of Systems ChangeUnit 14 IT Analysis: Focused on Business Process

University of Sunderland COMM80 Risk Assessment of Systems ChangeUnit 14 IT Analysis: Focused on Proposed System

University of Sunderland COMM80 Risk Assessment of Systems ChangeUnit 14 Business Activity Map (IT Usage Marked)

University of Sunderland COMM80 Risk Assessment of Systems ChangeUnit 14 Business Activity Map (Proposed IT Marked)

University of Sunderland COMM80 Risk Assessment of Systems ChangeUnit 14 Risk Gauges RG1: Change Consensus – purpose: to assess agreement among the Senior Management team (SMT). RG2: Change Context –purpose: to assess the SMT’s perception of the context of the proposed changes. –purpose: to assess the SMT’s perception of past company experience.

University of Sunderland COMM80 Risk Assessment of Systems ChangeUnit 14 RG1: Change Consensus Identified change: Implementation of new ERP system to replace packages currently used with an integrated solution Justification of need for change: Our system is out of date and difficult to maintain and We know we are not operating at best efficiency and wish to investigate further. Consensus among SMT: Strongly Agree: 2, Agree: 1, No view: 1, Disagree: 0

University of Sunderland COMM80 Risk Assessment of Systems ChangeUnit 14 RG2 Change Context Considers –Project Timescale –Project Scope –Nature of Project –Cost of Project

University of Sunderland COMM80 Risk Assessment of Systems ChangeUnit 14 RG 2: Change Consensus

University of Sunderland COMM80 Risk Assessment of Systems ChangeUnit 14 RG2: SMT Consensus on Experience

University of Sunderland COMM80 Risk Assessment of Systems ChangeUnit 14 Impact of RAMESES Information gathered when needed –stored for future reference Comparative analyses using defined data sets for specific purposes. Simple diagrams are used to show: –business processes –IT used within business processes –impact of new IT on business processes.

University of Sunderland COMM80 Risk Assessment of Systems ChangeUnit 14 Usage of the Toolset Internal assessment - gains from SMEs' knowledge of their business. –Data collected via simple workpacks, these can be used in isolation or within the method. –Business activities can be mapped to required level of granularity. –Senior management consensus can be tested.