The Critical Factors for Information Technology an ERP Investment Success

Random Selection of Articles by Dr James Robertson

Prd 007 Characteristics of the JAR&A StratSnap Strategic SnapShot Critical Issues Process

Mzn 008 The coming demise of ERP in business - what decision makers need to take cognizance of

TxM 054 Section 6.4 Further information on the use of software to develop and manage Taxonomies and Precision Configuration

TxM 061 Section 7.5 Preparatory steps for a SEPT project

Civ 002 The essence of sustainable wealth creation

TxM 004 Section 1.2 Typical needs

SNw 020 Unlocking ERP Value

CIO 006 Beyond Technology

TxM 011 Section 1.9 Why Taxonomy coding is important

Random Selection of Articles by Dr James Robertson

SNw 008 Is I.T. "Rocket Science"? -- REALLY?

Prd 030 What qualifies James Robertson to make these claims for the proposed JAR&A Financial Analytical Engine Suite?

Civ 001 Creating wealth in the new South Africa - an engineering approach

Cnf 093 Adopting a focused approach to strategic business improvement

A strategic design focused approach to strategic business improvement using a critical issues approach that addresses the weaknesses of conventional methods and brings engineering rigour to the field of strategic business improvement

SNw 052 Robust Procurement: Part 3 - Exec Engagement, Bid Compliance, Adjudication and other matters

A discussion of the importance of executive engagement, bid compliance evaluation, a structured approach to bid adjudication and other matters

TxM 039 Section 4.4 The CEO MUST be the custodian of ERP (Reprint from one of my newsletters)

Mzn 009 7 steps to FIX your ERP

TxM 080 Section 10: Conclusion

Cnf 079 Diamonds in the dust -- Crafting your future landscape

A layman's overview of why Information Technology projects are so difficult and what is required to achieve successful results

CIO 001 A Legacy of Failure

Dr James A Robertson PrEng

Business Systems NOT delivering?

Call the Business Systems Specialist

Dr. James Robinson

Dr James A Robertson -- has been involved in the effective application of Business Information Systems, including but NOT limited to ERP, since 1987 and in the profitable and effective use of computers in Business since 1981.

Drawing on a diversity of experience, including formal military training in Quick Attack techniques at the Regimental Commander level, Dr Robertson has developed highly effective methods of investigating any sub-optimal Business Information Systems situation -- be it an established system or a stalled project or any other source of Executive frustration -- quickly and concisely diagnosing the root cause of the problem and prescribing concise practical actions that Business Executives can effectively act on see the Pulse Measurement page and also the Sample Reports page for redacted real reports.

He has also developed highly effective methods of strategically enriching systems to unlock the full potential of existing investments, see the Precision Configuration page and couples this to architecting small pieces of clever software that harness the full potential of your investment, see the Software page.

If you are having problems with your systems, your project or your IT Department, call The Business Systems Specialist
James@James-A-Robertson-and-Associates.com

Business System Failure is RIFE -- we offer insight into why this happens AND WHAT is required to prevent it.

Failure is at epidemic levels with massive damage done to client companies -- if you are NOT aware of the extent of the problem please visit the About Failure page for a catalog of major failures running to billions of Pounds and Dollars.

All evidence indicates that the established players do NOT know how to deliver stable, reliable high value solutions that WORK.

There HAS to be a better way!

This website provides information relating to that way with a large collection of white papers, presentations, standards documents, etc that you can use to start bringing the situation under control

We also offer high level advisory services with regard to the application of the principles advocated on this website

We offer an ENGINEERING APPROACH to addressing these issues

By Engineering I mean the formal, structured, highly disciplined, highly systematic, highly practical approach that consistently delivers results in ALL areas of human endeavor where formally trained and certified engineers are the ONLY practitioners permitted to operate -- think large buildings, factories, motor vehicles, aircraft -- highly complex systems that work at a level that we take it for granted that they WILL work and where failure is all but unthinkable and, when it happens, attracts immediate public attention and rigorous investigation directed at ensuring that such failures are prevented in the future -- in fact, everything that the management consulting industry that implements complex software systems is NOT

This approach is discussed further on the Engineering Approach page.

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Random Selection of Articles by Dr James Robertson

CIO 006 Beyond Technology

Civ 002 The essence of sustainable wealth creation

Mzn 009 7 steps to FIX your ERP

SNw 011 What IS Excellence?

TxM 049 Section 5.4 Suggested basis of attribution of overheads and production costs in a cubic business model environment

Cnf 046 Insourcing -- Restructuring the IT Department for Better Business Focus and Increased Effectiveness --Armscor Case Study

Case study of a strategic planning project undertaken to develop a customer service focused IT Strategy for the Armaments Corporation of South Africa, the project used strategic marketing concepts to research business user, business requirements and concerns and convert these into a strategic action plan that was measurable and actionable thereby strengthening the position of the IT Department as a partner with the business

Mzn 004 The JAR&A Pulse Measurement – what it means to your business

Cnf 081 Insights of Knowledge Management in a Global Recession

A discussion of the importance of Precision Configuration as a vital component of unlocking the full value of business information system investments as part of a Knowledge Management culture

Std 012 Procurement: 04 Procurement Timeline and Diary

The procurement timeline is a relatively simple Gantt Chart -- I lay it out in Excel, it is quick and serves the purpose, see the sample attached

The goal of the timeline is to set out the overall timing of the procurement process in sufficient detail that all parties are fully aware of the sequence of events that is planned so that they can schedule accordingly

TxM 011 Section 1.9 Why Taxonomy coding is important

Book -- The Critical Factors for Information Technology Investment Success

In 2003 I undertook an in-depth analysis of all the information and experience that I had gathered with regard to the factors giving rise to Business Information System failure including ERP and general IT and classified this information into a number of categories including "The Factors Causing Failure" and "The Critical Factors for Success" based on this I developed a two day Course "The Critical Factors for Information Technology Investment Success" which is still offered today.

Based on this I wrote the book of the same name, which is available in electronic form here for download: