Resourcing can be a tedious and fragmented task, but with Silverbucket, it becomes efficient and rewarding. Outdated Excel spreadsheets and overworked employees can be a thing of the past. According to Reija Stenroos, Marketing Manager at Silverbucket, the tool ensures projects stay on schedule and productivity improves. However, no matter how good the software is, paying attention to the implementation phase is crucial. This article will provide you with insights on how Silverbucket can help in resource management, but most importantly, it will guide you on what to consider when implementing any resource planning tool.
Assigning the Right Talent to the Right Tasks
Projects go through busy and quiet periods, so your organization needs to be transparent and flexible in order to make best use of its resources. You don’t want people waiting idle for the next stage of a project, nor do you want to overburden your employees. With Silverbucket, managing this balance becomes much easier, says Stenroos.
Marketing Manager at Silverbucket
Silverbucket also assists in allocating the right experts to each project by combining timetables and skill maps. This valuable information can even be used in the recruitment process to ensure new hires meet the actual needs. Customers of Silverbucket often emphasize the ability to forecast their resourcing situation as one of the biggest benefits of using the software. By comparing realized hours to planned hours and tracking financial information alongside resourcing, firms can optimize resource utilization and make informed decisions based on real-time data, as mentioned by Stenroos.
Silverbucket benefits all companies with more than 30 employees involved in billable project work. Solution is very useful for companies with multiple sites as it provides an overview of the situation across different locations. It helps balance the workload across sites and ensures that resources are used effectively.
Key Considerations for Implementing a Resource Management Tool
After selecting a resource planning tool that aligns with your organization’s needs and objectives, it’s time to focus on the implementation phase to ensure a seamless transition and maximize the benefits of your chosen tool. First step is to identify the specific resource management requirements of your organization. Determine what are the goals, objectives, and desired outcomes for implementing the tool. It can be related for example increasing utilization rate or job satisfaction.
- Develop an Implementation Strategy: Before diving into the implementation process, develop a comprehensive strategy that outlines key milestones, timelines, and responsibilities. Define the scope of the implementation, identify potential challenges, and establish clear goals for the transition. By setting a solid foundation, you can effectively guide the implementation process and manage expectations. For larger organizations the implementation naturally takes longer than for the smaller one. For smaller organizations, implementing Silverbucket typically takes around one month, while larger organizations may require a few months.
- Set up an Implementation Team: Form an implementation team that includes individuals with a deep understanding of the resource planning tool, as well as representatives from relevant departments or teams. This team will be responsible for overseeing the implementation, coordinating activities, and providing support to end-users. Assign specific roles and responsibilities to ensure a smooth workflow.
- Data Migration and Integration: If you are transitioning from an existing system, plan and execute the migration of data to the new resource planning tool. Ensure data accuracy, integrity, and compatibility during the transfer process. If the tool integrates with other systems or software used in your organization, establish the necessary connections and ensure smooth data flow between systems. Sometimes it is always a good idea to start to use it as a standalone product and in a next phase plan the integrations.
- Customization and Configuration: Every organization has unique requirements. Configure settings, workflows, and user permissions based on your organization’s structure and processes. This customization will help maximize the tool’s effectiveness and ensure it adapts seamlessly to your business environment.
- Pilot Testing: Before rolling out the resource planning tool organization-wide, consider conducting a pilot phase with a smaller group or specific projects. This allows you to identify any potential issues, gather feedback, and make necessary adjustments before the full implementation. Pilot testing provides valuable insights and ensures a smoother transition for the entire organization.
- Training and User Adoption: Most important part of the implementation is the training and user adaptation, so it is important to invest in comprehensive training programs to familiarize your users with the resource planning tool. Conduct training sessions, workshops, or webinars to educate users on the tool’s features, functionalities, and best practices. Provide hands-on training and offer support materials such as user guides or FAQs. Encourage user adoption by emphasizing the benefits and potential improvements it brings to their daily work.
- Continuous Support and Improvement: Once the resource planning tool is implemented, establish a support system to address user questions, issues, or suggestions. Provide channels for users to submit feedback and regularly communicate updates and improvements. Continuously monitor and evaluate the tool’s performance, gather user feedback, and implement refinements to enhance its effectiveness over time.
The implementation phase of a resource planning tool plays a crucial role in realizing its full potential within your organization. By carefully planning and executing the implementation strategy, providing comprehensive training, and gathering user feedback, you can ensure a successful transition and maximize the benefits of the resource planning tool. Embrace this phase as an opportunity to optimize resource allocation, streamline project management, and drive efficiency across your organization.
Getting started with Silverbucket
As mentioned earlier, it takes 1-4 months to implement Silverbucket. If there are needs for integrations, it might take a bit longer. Stenroos mentions, Silverbucket does not require a significant amount of adaptation. Our customers are often surprised by how easy it is to start using Silverbucket. However, it is still important to highlight the importance of a well-planned implementation to maximize the benefits of Silverbucket.
Silverbucket customers typically initiate their Silverbucket journey with a free trial. We are fully dedicated to providing assistance throughout the process and ensuring a smooth beginning. Our team will provide comprehensive training to facilitate a seamless start and ensure you have the necessary support along the way.
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