Digital Tools Selection Guidance

Choose what's best for your organization.

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We help companies to assess and select the best digital tools for their enterprise, and then work with them to ensure their successful implementation.

Digital Tools Selection Guidance

RMS | CPQ | PDM | PLM | MES | CAD | BI | VENDORS | SERVICE | DATA LAKES

At IpX, we specialize in ensuring your business processes are efficient and effective. Good data stems from solid processes, and nobody wants bad data delivered faster. Our comprehensive digital tool guidance services are designed to help you navigate the complexities of process automation, business requirements, tool evaluation and implementation.

The IpX Digital Tool Selection Methodology

The IpX Methodology draws its influence by focusing on end-to-end process optimization. We leverage numerous Six Sigma tools, guided by a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt, we conduct interviews, analyze data, develop strategies, and implement solutions to achieve the state business objectives. By combining Six Sigma and IpX CM2 methodologies, we can identify solutions within weeks—an achievement that is often unattainable for organizations working independently.

Listen to the Voice of the Business

Develop an Interview Guide and Interview Stakeholders. Develop themes and relationships from the interviewee’s responses (KJ Analysis).

Voice

Listening to the Voice of the Business involves creating a structured interview guide to gather insights from key stakeholders, ensuring their perspectives and needs are thoroughly understood. By analyzing the responses using KJ Analysis*, you can identify common themes and relationships, which will help in aligning business strategies with stakeholder expectations and driving effective change management.

*The "KJ" in KJ Analysis stands for Kawakita Jiro, the Japanese anthropologist who developed the method. He created this approach to help teams organize complex information and ideas, particularly in situations where traditional methods of analysis were not effective. Hence, the KJ Method or KJ Analysis is named after him as a tribute to his contribution.

Document the As-Is Process

Understand the As-Is process from the end user.

As-Is Process

In today’s fast-paced business environment, having robust business processes is crucial. You cannot automate various ways of working effectively without first establishing clear, standardized processes. Our team works with you to define and document these processes, ensuring a solid foundation for any automation efforts.

Conduct CM2 Gap Analysis & Provide Guidance

Conduct a gap analysis of the As-Is state against CM2 Core Business Processes and Requirements. Prioritize opportunities and create a roadmap.

Analysis

Evaluating the current state of processes against CM2 Core Business Processes and Requirements to identify discrepancies and areas for improvement identifies gaps that require attention. By prioritizing these opportunities, you can develop a strategic roadmap that guides the organization towards achieving CM2 compliance and operational excellence.

Document the To-Be Process

Define and agree to the To-Be process.

To-Be Process

Clearly defining the future state of processes, ensuring they align with organizational goals and CM2 standards lays the groundwork for needed changes. It’s crucial to gain consensus and agreement from all stakeholders on these defined processes to ensure smooth implementation and adherence.

Define the Requirements

Develop and agree to tool specific requirements using an “I want, So that, Acceptance criteria” format.

Requirements

Once your business processes are well-defined, the next step is to write detailed requirements based on these processes. Clear and precise requirements are essential to prevent scope creep and to obtain accurate quotes from vendors. Our experts assist you in crafting these requirements, ensuring they are comprehensive and aligned with your business goals. Requirements gathering is not brainstorming in Word!

Review and Select Vendor & SI

Perform demonstrations of the tools and System Integrators based on your requirements and To-Be Process.

Select

With well-defined requirements in hand, we help you evaluate and select the right tools based on your requirements. Our team conducts quantitative evaluations against your requirements, ensuring that the tools you choose will meet your needs and support your business processes effectively.

Negotiate

Perform negotiations with vendors and system integrators using IpX’s cross-industry knowledge.

Negotiate

Our experts are here to support you through the negotiation phase, ensuring you get the best possible terms. Once the tools are selected, we assist with the implementation, ensuring it aligns with the established requirements. Our goal is to make the transition as smooth as possible, minimizing disruptions to your operations.

Organizational Change Management and Training

Organizational change management and proper training are critical for the successful adoption of new tools. Effective change management ensures that all stakeholders are aligned with the new processes and understand the benefits, reducing resistance and fostering a culture of acceptance. Proper training equips your team with the necessary skills to utilize the tools efficiently, maximizing their potential and ensuring a smooth transition. This combination not only enhances productivity but also ensures that the investment in new tools yields the desired outcomes, supporting the overall business objectives and maintaining data integrity.

Ensuring Data Usability and Single Sources of Truth

Engaging an expert in source of truth and metadata management ensures that your data is accurate, consistent, and reliable from the outset. These professionals help establish a single source of truth, eliminating discrepancies and ensuring that all stakeholders are working with the same data. 

Proper metadata management provides valuable context, making data more understandable and actionable. This leads to better decision-making, as the data is not only accurate but also meaningful and easy to interpret. Ultimately, this expertise enhances data quality and integrity, supporting more effective business operations and strategic planning.

Sustaining and Improving Processes and Tools

Our support doesn’t end with implementation. We provide ongoing support to help you sustain and continually improve your processes and tools. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that your business remains agile and competitive in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

The Benefits of Using a 3rd-Party Process Expert 

IpX experts offer an objective perspective, free from internal biases, which can lead to more innovative and effective solutions. They bring specialized knowledge and experience, ensuring high-quality outcomes that might be challenging to achieve internally. Additionally, third-party experts can save time and resources by efficiently managing projects, allowing your team to focus on their core responsibilities. This approach not only enhances the overall quality of the work but also ensures that your organization remains agile and competitive in a rapidly changing business environment.

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How We Engage: Easy as 1, 2, 3...

IpX can support your initiatives at any stage with flexible service options, including Hourly Staff Augmentation, Time & Materials, or Firm Fixed Price. Here's what we do:

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