System and method for assessing a procurement and accounts payable system

[0002] U.S. patent applications Ser. No. 09/444,254, entitled “System and Method for Project Preparing a Procurement and Accounts Payable Process”, Ser. No. 09/444,255, entitled “System and Method for Project Designing and Developing a Procurement and Accounts Payable Process”, Ser. No. 09/444,253, entitled “System and Method for Deploying a Procurement and Accounts Payable Process”, and Ser. No. 09/444,256, entitled “System and Method for Ongoing Supporting a Procurement and Accounts Payable Process” filed concurrently herewith, are assigned to the same assignee hereof and contain subject matter related, in certain respect, to the subject matter of the present application. The above-identified patent applications are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] 1. Technical Field of the Invention

[0004] This invention pertains to the implementation of a procurement and accounts payable system or application. More particularly, it relates to a system and method for assessing, preparing, designing and developing, deploying, and supporting a general procurement and accounts payable system using electronic requisitions.

[0005] 2. Background Art

[0006] A services company may be very good at implementing information technology (IT) solutions. However, as customer engagements increase, the ability of company to execute numerous engagements on time and within budget with quality becomes more difficult.

[0007] Today there exist many different software packages that perform project management and classes that teach methodologies for implementing solutions that involve information technology and services. However, there is no process that combines these activities along with an evaluation of a client's general procurement (GP) and accounts payable (AP) system, or application, into one package while providing detailed implementation instructions along with templates for completing the major deliverables required over the course of the project. Templates, may be used herein as an equivalent term for page, form, or document as used in connection with Lotus Notes. In Lotus Notes, a page is a database design element that displays information; a form, like a page, displays information and also can be used to collect information; and documents are the elements that store information in the database. A user is presented a form including fields for entering information. When the user fills out the information and saves it, the information is saved in the data base as a document. When a user opens the document, the document uses the form as a template to provide the structure for displaying the data or information. Fields store data of various types, including text, dialog list, rich text, and so forth.

[0008] Scalability of engagements is a known problem, the most common solution to which is to increase the number of persons involved. Experience has shown that this increase results in customer dissatisfaction due to inadequate gathering of requirements, poorly trained implementation teams, missed schedules, increased costs, and lower quality.

[0009] It is characteristic of general procurement and accounts payable systems that no two are identical, and may differ even within wholly owned subsidiaries of a single corporation.

[0010] Consequently, there is a need in the art for a system and method for evaluating a potential client system and for adapting a general procurement and accounts payable system to the requirements of each of many potential clients. Further, there is a need for a system and method for. evaluating a potential client system and for adapting a general procurement and accounts payable system to the requirements of each of many potential clients which can be licensed to third party providers together with a system and method for monitoring and assuring the quality of services provided by those service providers.

[0011] There is a need in the art for an integrated system for assessing, preparing, designing and developing, deploying, and supporting a procurement and accounts payable system using electronic requisitions.

[0012] During project assessment, typically potential customers are contacted and evaluated by a marketing team that then recommends a product solution from their menu. There is no integration of Technical Team Leaders and Transition Management as key components of the installation. There is also limited to no flexibility to customize the product for the customer.

[0013] There is a large body of work on project planning in industry. While they are all more or less adequate, they do not provide the comprehensive integration of the client and supplier teams, Transition Management, and Quality required to accomplish a particular customer's goals.

[0014] Like project planning, project design and development processes are well known in industry. They usually consist of a project manager or team leader that manages the implementation of a project plan and interfaces with the client.

[0015] Deployment or implementation of a project is, again, a very standard operation. As the project plan steps are completed, they are usually held in queue until all necessary activities reach a point where the solution can be “turned on”.

[0016] All projects have close out functions that wrap up the end of the project. However, they do not provide for continuing support across the multitude of functions that have been used to provide the customer with a solution.

[0017] It is an objective of the invention to provide a system and method for evaluating a client's general procurement and accounts payable (GP/AP) system.

[0018] It is an object of the invention to provide an optimized solution for out-sourcing procurement of goods and services.

[0019] It is an object of the invention to provide a system and method for training service providers.

[0020] It is an object of the invention to provide a system and method for managing service providers to assure quality of service.

[0021] It is an object of the invention to provide a system and method for managing a project.

[0022] It is an object of the invention to provide an optimized general procurement and accounts payable system characterized by lower costs, a paperless process, and more comprehensive service with a shorter cycle time.

[0023] A system for assessing a general procurement and accounts payable application of a customer of an enterprise includes a server; a storage device connected to the server; a plurality of team terminals; and a communication link interconnecting the server and terminals. The server is operable for (1) maintaining a database of templates on the storage device describing procedures for assessing the application, and (2) serving the templates to a members of cross functional team operating the terminals for coordinating, recording and tracking team activities with respect to the application.

[0024] A method for assessing a general procurement and accounts payable application includes maintaining a database of templates describing procedures for assessing the general procurement and accounts payable application and operating a plurality of web-enabled user terminals to access via a server the database of templates for coordinating tasks by a plurality of enterprise teams implementing the procedures.

[0025] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program product configured to be operable to perform the method of the invention for assessing a general procurement and accounts payable application.

[0026] Other features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a high level block diagram of a general procurement and accounts payable development and implementation system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating team relationships within the general procurement and accounts payable (GP/AP) development and implementation system of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0029] FIGS. 3A through 3M, arranged as shown in FIG. 3, are a flow diagram of the assessment, preparation, development, deployment and support phases of the method of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0030] FIG. 4 represents a terminal display of a playbook summary view.

[0031] FIG. 5 illustrates a terminal display of the template presented by the server at a user terminal of FIG. 1 in response to selection by a user of “create a summary task” from the playbook summary view.

[0032] FIG. 6 illustrates a terminal display of the template presented by the server at a user terminal of FIG. 1 in response to selection by a user of “create a detailed task” from the playbook summary view.

[0033] FIGS. 5 and 6 also illustrate fields collected in the database and selectively displayed at user terminals of FIG. 1 for each summary and detail task, respectively, of a GP/AP system for a particular customer or project.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 1, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, intranet communication facilities interconnect a plurality of team member terminals 64, zero or more service provider terminals 66, and client (also referred to as customer) terminals 68, and a server 62, preferably a Lotus Notes server.

[0035] Server 62 references and maintains playbook database 70. Database (also referred to as the playbook, or playbook database) 70 is provided for implementing procurement and accounts payable systems. This playbook 70 defines implementation steps and templates for creating the many required deliverables and project management functions. These functions include start and end dates, effort, duration, and so forth. This playbook also provides the steps and templates for training service providers 66 and serves as the repository for completed templates and as a source for auditing the performance of the service providers. As used herein, unless otherwise apparent from the context, system and applications are used to refer to hardware, software, procedures, instructional materials, and so forth, for implementing a general procurement and accounts payable process.

[0036] Also attached to intranet 60 are requisition and catalog (Req/Cat) servers 80. Server 80 functions as a front end server to accounting system server 82, and is connected to a file of vendor catalogs and contracts 72, to a client (customer) host system 74, and through a firewall to SAP servers 82. SAP server 82 is an accounting driver for the procurement and accounts payable (A/P) system of the customer. SAP servers 82 are connected to supplier systems 84, to a customer data warehouse 78, and to customer ledger and accounts payable systems 86, 88.

[0037] During the operational phase of a completed and functioning system, a customer (aka end user, or client) 98 enters requisitions via the intranet to server 80. Server 80 accesses client host system 74 for pricing, reports, etc., and vendor catalogs and contracts 72 to gather information needed by SAP servers 82 to generate purchase orders or requests for quotes (RFQs) to supplier 84, to update data warehouse 78, client ledger 86, and client accounts payable 88 systems. Warehouse 78 stores client data maintained by the supplier of the Req/Cat and general procurement system, which supplier may be the primary enterprise (a primary services organization, such as the IBM Corporation) with control of the design and implementation of the system, or a contractor of the enterprise qualified as a third party service provider.

[0038] In operation, during presales, assessment, preparation, development, deployment and support stages, team members 64, access database 70 via intranet 60 and server 62 to create a playbook including a detailed description of an accounts payable and Req/Cat system for a particular customer (aka client). This description is then used to personalize Req/Cat servers 80 and SAP servers 82 for the customer installation. During operation, a user 98 accesses Req/Cat server 80 via intranet 60 to enter a requisition or to query the status of previously entered requisition. When entering a requisition, Req/Cat responds to end user 98 with a form to complete. Req/Cat 80 accesses SAP server 82 through the firewall with the requisition or request for status. SAP server 82, responsive to a requisition, issues a purchase order or request for quote to supplier 84, and updates accounts payable 88 and ledger 86, as required through the normal procurement and accounting process implemented on behalf of the customer.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 2, various departments and individuals representing team members 64 include business office 120, architecture 122, education and training 124, project manager 126, Req/Cat development 128, business process design 112, electronic data interchange (EDI) 114, application development 116, information technology 130, business controls 132, procurement process 134, transition management 136, SAP development 138, marketing 118, general procurement operations 98, and support management 96. Each of these departments and individuals perform various rolls and functions during the life of the project from assessment through deployment and use, as will be more fully described hereafter in connection with FIG. 3.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 3, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, assessment 101, preparation 102, development 103, deployment 104 and support 105 stages are executed to design, implement, and use a general procurement and accounts payable (GP/AP) system for a customer. Through these stages 101-105, procedures and methods are provided for seamlessly integrating all aspects of a total GP/AP system, including creating an electronic purchase requisition for goods and services with flexible approval functions, through invoicing and payment.

[0041] Further in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided a web enabled delivery system.

[0042] Further in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided a system and method for auditing service provider activities without being on site.

[0043] High level summary tasks implemented by playbook 70 database include business controls, information technology, SAP, communication, process, testing, configuration, project management, transition management, education and training, requisition and catalog (Req/Cat). Each of these summary tasks, as well as the drill-down (aka subsidiary) tasks implementing the details of each, may be accessed by team members 64 and service provider 66swithin the playbook database 70.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 4, the playbook summary view 400 is illustrated. View 400 includes a title bar 402; pull down menu tabs file 404, edit 406, view 408, create 410, actions 412, window 414, help 416; create a summary task selection button 420, create a detailed task button 422, a folders and views section 424, and a task title display and selection area 426 which also includes a by column 436 and a status column 438 with an entry for each task displayed in area 426. With by category button 430 and all tasks button 432 selected, all tasks 434 is highlighted and display 426 presents a listing of tasks organized by category.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 5, the summary task template 440 presented to the user upon selection of create a summary task 420 is illustrated. As will be described hereafter, there are two flavors of template 440, one for major operations, and one for major steps within each major operation. Referring to FIG. 6, the detail task template 520 presented to the user upon selection of create a detailed task 422 is illustrated.

[0046] Selection of create summary task 420 presents a first summary task template 440 that used to design and describe a high level summary task for one of the playbook operations. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there are thirteen such high level summary tasks, including assessment, business controls, configuration, education, image, information technology (I/T), marketing, process, project management, requisition and catalog (req/cat), SAP, testing, and transition management. The summary and detail tasks within these high level summary tasks are further organized into five major processing segments: assessment 101, project preparation 102, project design and development 103, deployment 104, and ongoing support 105. A high level summary task provides a summary of the inputs to the task, and of the output (deliverables) after all detailed tasks are completed. There two levels, or templates for summary tasks: one for major operations, the second for major steps within each operation.

[0047] Activation of create a detail task 422 presents to the user a third template 520 which is used to summarize the detailed tasks for each major step of a summary task.

[0048] The first and second templates 440 are almost identical. They include the fields set forth in Tables 1 and 2. Third template 520 contents are summarized in Table 3.

[0049] Table 2 sets forth the template 440 fields which may vary between templates, including those for major operations and major steps within an operation.

[0050] Database 70 at server 62 includes all summary and detail tasks templates which have been completed in a set for a particular customer. An initial set of the tasks listed in Table 4 is provided for each customer, but during project implementation phases 101-105, these are configured or personalized to the customer.

[0051] While many summary and detailed tasks of Table 4 do not appear in the flow chart of FIGS. 3A-3M, those selected illustrate a flow from start to finish across the five major stages—and form a representative, if not critical, path through them. As shown in FIGS. 3, and 3A-3M, the transitions between stages 100-105 are, in some instances, blurred and a particular task may be allocated to either or both of two of these stages.

[0052] In each stage, the key to success is the integration through the use of the templates of the groups (FIG. 2) and activities (Table 4, both summary tasks and detail tasks.) Also, an important aspect of the invention is the method provided across the five stages (FIG. 3) for effecting a transition from a legacy process, including hardware, software, work procedures and human resources, to a new process.

[0053] Table 4 is a chart of summary and detail tasks, pursuant to a particular embodiment of the invention, available for presentation in display area 426 of playbook summary view 400 upon selection of button 432. Selection by a user in display area 426 of a task designated with two or three alpha-numeric reference numerals P1, P11, P12, . . . , results in display of a template 440 personalized to the summary task, and selection of a task designated with four or more alpha-numeric reference numerals P111, P112, . . . , result in display of a template 520 personalized to the detail task. A user with appropriate authority may then view, correct, update, approve or otherwise modify the displayed task. The names of the detail tasks set forth broadly the functions or method steps performed in implementing the superior summary task. In Table 4, each summary task is identified in the first column by the stage 100-105 to which it pertains, in the second column by a task identifier P11, P12, . . . , and, for selected tasks, in the third column by the process step (150, . . . , 354 in FIGS. 3A-3M) to which it pertains. In general (with very few exceptions), a detail task pertains to the same stage 100-105 as its summary task.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 3 in connection with FIG. 2, project assessment phase 101 follows pre-sales phase 100, during which marketing makes its initial contact with the prospective client, or customer.

[0055] After initial contact from marketing 118, the main thrust of Assessment Project 101 is to provide an integrated, cross-functional customer solution to the client. An assessment team is led by the Business Office 120, but requires input and participation from the project leaders of Architecture 122, Transformation Management 136, Business Process 112, EDI 114, and Application Development 116.

[0056] Assessment 101 begins with a complete review of the client's current general procurement and accounts payable processes. This includes debriefing the initial marketing team 118, instructing the project leaders 126, and accumulating all other relevant data available about the client's processes, tools, and organizational structures. The Assessment Team then defines an integrated customer solution that covers technical, educational, and Human Resource issues.

[0057] The delivery of the Workshop is intended to present an overview of the customer solution, initiate discussions on process analysis and strategic implementation, and confirmation of the solution fit. Specific goals of a workshop phase within assessment stage 101 include the following:

[0058] (1) Prepare and deliver a presentation to the customer defining the service offering, including any essential documentation on the offering, and a demonstration of the end-user tool(s), as applicable.

[0059] (2) Collect area specific information and customer requirements on network process sourcing, procurement, accounts payable, and finance; and EDI, I/T, and transition management.

[0060] (3) Identify high level gaps in each such area.

[0061] (4) Identify additional high level requirements for new process support, and for conversion requirements, including requirements for commodity structure, account structure, vendor, and contracts.

[0062] (5) Identify interface requirements, including requirements for HR, cost center, catalogs, ledger, information warehouse.

[0063] (6) Validate accounting for project, appropriation, contract, job, tax reporting, currency, and check reconciliation.

[0064] (7) Identify requirements for network, EDI, testing, and application development including new reports, new interfaces, and new features.

[0065] (8) Assemble a high-level gap analysis.

[0066] (9) Create a high-level Customer Scope Document.

[0067] (10) Confirm the recommended solution.

[0068] At the completion of the workshop phase, the assessment team 106 convenes to develop and cost the final customer solution and proposal. At this time, the members of assessment team 106 assemble, understand, and validate the collected data; review standard proposal options with assumptions and identify items that apply to this client; create a draft of the proposal including scope, risk, schedule, and resources; review the draft with team and other project members to obtain sizing and costing information for each area; compile costing information to add to the proposal; and perform QA review of the system integration, application development, managed operations (including service delivery center (SDC), application IT, and Process Operations) proposals, and of the overall proposal.

[0069] The resulting proposal is delivered or presented to the client. Final Assessment activities include follow up query responses and, should the proposal be declined, a loss analysis. This loss analysis feeds back into assessment process 101 to improve its overall effectiveness and efficiency.

[0070] Referring to Table 4, summary tasks pertaining to assessment stage 101 are listed, together with included detail tasks. For each task, a template 440 or 520 is maintained in data base 70, and accessed by team 108 members and others through summary view 400 to track progress (including viewing, updating, sharing, and approving) during this assessment stage 101.

[0071] Referring further to FIG. 3, project preparation stage 102 sets up the project, initializes detail planning, and models the plan for making the transition from the client's legacy system and process to the new system and process (or, offering).

[0072] A critical element of this stage is to ensure resources are assigned to transition management 136, both from the project implementation team 126 as well as from the client. During this stage the transition activities required for a smooth migration from the old client process and system to the new service offering are modeled. The result is a detailed transition management plan that is specifically designed for the client. Stage 102 tasks and deliverables include the following:

[0073] (1) Perform analysis on the client HR environment, including organization structure and relationships, labor relations, management, administration, and end user roles and responsibilities, and the general HR environment.

[0074] (2) Develop and approve the detailed transition management and communication plan.

[0075] (3) Update the client specific transition management strategy.

[0076] (4) Define the quality assurance (QA) process required to assure that a project conforms to documented standards and meets documented requirements. The purpose of this task is to confirm the quality assurance standards between Enterprise and the client, and identifies the tasks that are to be audited by the Enterprise Technical Center.

[0077] The QA review is a beneficial process for the project as it timely recognizes potential risk areas and reduces the possibility of project delays while achieving faster implementation, attaining low cost and increasing the customer's level of confidence. Deliverables of the QA review task include the following:

[0078] (1) Confirm and refine quality assurance standards with the customer.

[0079] (2) Confirm that technical requirements can be met.

[0080] (3) Confirm that business and financial measurements can be met.

[0081] (4) Confirm that the proposal is complete and the required processes have been followed.

[0082] (5) Establish QA schedule for the project.

[0083] Integration of all critical Enterprise and client team members provides the glue to assure a smooth project. By completing the detailed tasks within project preparation stage 102, the recommended implementation standards, procedures and strategies for the project are shared with the technical and business functional members of the project team as well as with the customer. All team members have input in this process, and understand the basic procedures, once they have been agreed to. These procedures, documented in summary and detail task templates listed in Table 4, include the following:

[0084] Configuration Standards

[0085] CR/PTR Process

[0086] Testing Strategy

[0087] Production Support and Operations Strategy

[0088] SAP System Management Strategy

[0089] Req/Cat System Management Strategy

[0090] Network Computing Strategy

[0091] Vendor Conversion Strategy

[0092] Referring further to FIGS. 3, project design and development phase 103 provides and documents in a database of templates referred to as a Playbook, the business controls, transformation management, and SAP and Req/Cat customization required for an integrated approach to a complete customer solution.

[0093] During this stage 103, business controls 132 provides a comprehensive process that identifies key control points and establishes detailed procedures to assure a quality installation. The deliverables include documentation, separation of duties, sensitive programs, logical access control, logging (audit trail), change control for tables, change control for programs, system testing, input controls, processing controls, error handling controls, output controls, balancing and reconciliation, vital records and disaster recovery, records management, reports, local area network (LAN), and country specifics, as described below:

[0094] (1) Documentation: an assessment of the quality and completeness of existing program documentation and a determination of the degree to which programs could be efficiently reconstructed if they were destroyed.

[0095] (2) Separation of duties: the duties of the programmer, computer operations, and user groups are reviewed to ensure that separation of duties problems do not exist. No one individual can control activities within a process (or any event in a string of events) in a way that permits errors of omission, or commission of fraud, theft, etc., to go undetected.

[0096] (3) Sensitive programs: controls must be in place to prevent unauthorized modification and/or use of the application.

[0097] (4) Logical access control: while programs are generally controlled by a site procedure, application data has a formal access control mechanism.

[0098] (5) Logging (audit trail): a logging mechanism is established to ensure the audit trail is correct.

[0099] (6) Change control (tables): a change control system is put in place to evaluate, justify and control changes to tables.

[0100] (7) Change control (programs): a change control system is put in place to evaluate, justify and control changes to programs.

[0101] (8) System Testing: system testing procedures are effectively planned and carried out to ensure that controls are successfully tested and documented.

[0102] (9) Input controls: to insure accuracy and completeness of information entering an application.

[0103] (10) Processing controls: controls are applied for entry of data into the computer application system that ensure accuracy and completeness of data during computer processing.

[0104] (11) Error handling controls: controls for error handling and reprocessing of transactions.

[0105] (12) Output controls: output controls ensure the integrity of the output data from conclusion of computer processing to delivery to the user.

[0106] (13) Balancing and reconciliation: verifies that procedures to reconcile output to input are effective.

[0107] (14) Vital records and disaster recovery: disaster recovery is designed to provide for the continuity or rapid system restoration of a business process immediately following a natural or man-made emergency or disaster.

[0108] (15) Records management: verify that information is managed with sound business practices and controls.

[0109] (16) Reports: verify that reports are distributed properly.

[0110] (17) Local Area Network (LAN): Refer to ITCS 201, “Security Standards for Local Area Networks and Distributed Computing.”

[0111] (18) Country specifics: verifies that any questions particular to this specific country are completed.

[0112] Req/Cat is a requisition and catalog product designed, developed, and maintained by Enterprise for use in systems such as those developed in this stage 103.

[0113] SAP is an financial and accounting package which an enterprise or company may license for its own use and for its customers. SAP configurators that customize package programs to fit the needs of the client are provided for use during design and development stage 103. All other installations of SAP are “off the shelf”, with the client changing its internal structures to fit SAP requirements.

[0114] Transition management is the most overlooked part of any implementation process. It is critical to address the corporate culture and personality at the earliest contact. Strategic and tactical plans may then be developed that guide the implementation through “Go Live” and for an agreed period thereafter. The purpose of transition management steps of the design and development stage 103 is to provide guidance to the development team members as they work with the client to institute policy changes that might be introduced as part of the implementation of the new process and system. Necessary changes to the legacy system are identified and a plan developed to announce and introduce changes in policy. Policy change includes key business rules that are part of the management system for purchasing and procurement. They may be associated with approval levels or procedural changes in the new system. The target is not the day to day operation but management decision and support systems that might be affected. The areas addressed include:

[0115] Measurements (old and new)

[0116] Management system

[0117] Approval levels

[0118] Supplier contacts and contracts

[0119] Reward systems

[0120] Incentive Plans

[0121] Security

[0122] Employee and user changes

[0123] All of these areas require strategic and tactical planning that includes the following steps:

[0124] (1) Identify the current (legacy) system or process and compare it to the new process or system to be implemented to identify gaps.

[0125] (2) Develop specific recommendations for gaps between the legacy and the new system or process, identifying the level of sensitivity and whether or not action is required as part of the transition.

[0126] (3) Determine the announcement and transition (or, cut over) date for each action identified.

[0127] (4) Design a communications plan to build the message and media for communicating the changes to affected parties.

[0128] (5) Design a process transition plan to ensure the elements of change are integrated into the overall plan for the process.

[0129] (6) Determine how the policies must be modified according to new standards and procedures

[0130] (7) Determine what new policies and procedures will be implemented as part of the process and system.

[0131] Finally, integration of the above design and development stage 103 process steps along with the technical teams involved allow the delivery of a cross-functional solution under one unified and managed plan.

[0132] Referring again to FIG. 3, project deployment phase 104 uses the Playbook to improve deployment of (1) quality, or application systems control and auditability (ASCA), (2) transition management, and (3) integrated project management systems and procedures.

[0133] 1. Quality (ASCA)

[0134] A business controls team provides dedicated resources throughout the life cycle of the project. During the project development stage 103, this team has planned and executed an ASCA self-assessment that has covered an extensive list of technical, business, financial, and client issues. In this deployment stage 104, its members are responsible for managing an independent audit that will cover the same areas. The independent auditors then issue an acceptance position that is required before the client can “Go Live” with the new system and process. Deployment stage 104 activities include:

[0135] (1) Create the project plan for ASCA Review preparation activities.

[0136] (2) Determine which Enterprise organization will conduct the ASCA and business controls review.

[0137] (3) Prepare all ASCA documentation required for the review.

[0138] (4) Prepare all sub-process overviews and descriptions of process flow.

[0139] (5) Ensure the test plan includes those elements of the ASCA checks required to ensure business controls, separation of duties, and authorization matrices, data integrity and security.

[0140] (6) Create, update and complete all required documents of understanding (DOU's) & service level agreements (SLA's).

[0141] (7) Ensure the separation of duties matrix (SOD) is current at time of final review.

[0142] (8) Review all testing and obtain test approvals.

[0143] (9) Ensure all approvals have been obtained and signed approval forms available for ASCA Review. These include approvals for process ownership, ASCA requirements, self-assessment and system cutover.

[0144] 2. Integrated Project Management

[0145] During this deployment stage 104, project manager 126 has the task to validate and confirm that all checklists and status are acceptable prior to Go-live. This includes the readiness of all aspects of the project, and once satisfied, a review is conducted and the customer's formal sign-off for Go-live is obtained. Status transition management and client readiness assessment and confirmation activities include verification that:

[0146] (1) No critical open issues exist in any area.

[0147] (2) All relevant aspects of readiness have been included in the status check.

[0148] (3) Network and computing performance testing is complete.

[0149] (4) System test is complete.

[0150] (5) User acceptance test is complete.

[0151] (6) System management production environment Go-live checklist is complete.

[0152] (7) Any needed CR's and PTR's have been generated.

[0153] (8) Production support is in place.

[0154] (9) Supplier readiness is reviewed and accepted.

[0155] (10) Service provider readiness is confirmed.

[0156] (11) Enterprise GP readiness is confirmed.

[0157] (12) Review of the compiled check information is completed.

[0158] (13) Customer sign-off on the Go-Live decision is obtained.

[0159] 3. Transition Management

[0160] A transition management team prepares for the deployment, or “Go Live” of the client solution. During this deployment stage 104 in the project, virtually all technical problems are resolved and systems configured. The client is now ready to deploy and the human factors must be aggressively managed to assure a smooth transition from the legacy systems to the improved client solution. Transition management activities within deployment stage 104 ensure that organization, measurements, management, support, and labor relations functions are developed, explained, reviewed, understood, in place or on schedule, as appropriate.

[0161] (1) Organization: organizational changes for Go-Live, updated communications plans, feedback mechanism for persons displaced by changes in organization, and the new organization.

[0162] (2) Measurements: changes in measurement system, plan to cut over to the new measurements, and communications explaining the new measurements, including how they are derived, how they are used and their importance to the business.

[0163] (3) Management: changes in management or management responsibilities, communications explaining the changes in management structure, and why it is important to the clients' organization, the management chain and path for escalation of issues, normal business reports and their use.

[0164] (4) Support: support structure for both client and technical support.

[0165] (5) Labor Relations: activities associated with the loss of a job role, plan to notify the affected people, communication plan for providing information to remaining employees on the reasons for the changes and for fostering support for the new process.

[0166] Integration of the cross-functional teams to accomplish the deployment of the customer solution is facilitated by use of the system and data base structure of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0167] Referring further to FIG. 3, project support stage 105 enables project teams, all of which have continuing responsibilities with the client after “Go Live”, to provide the required ongoing support. As with all other stages, integration of the teams through the use of the systems and methods provided by the invention, including transition management systems and methods, is greatly facilitated. It is a characteristic of the preferred embodiment that each of these areas has specific predetermined plans, actions and responsibilities, and these are audited and tracked through a GP/AP development and deployment system.

[0168] During support stage 105, transition management 136 delivers an approved detailed questionnaire with quality questions in a logical format that allows end-users to express their opinion and provide information that meets the survey objective. Support stage 105 includes a plan for communicating the survey results to the participants and taking action in response to the survey results. This stage also incorporates a continuing education plan for training new employees as well as continually updating the material so that reflects the latest version of the application.

[0169] The survey in stage 105 is structured to determine the end users' perception of the new system, system ease of use, response time from both the system and CSC (Customer Service Center), and customer knowledge level of processes and product. Results of the survey are compiled and presented to the client and Enterprise Management Teams along with action plans, time tables, expected results for approval, and implementation. A Lessons Learned document is reviewed with the project team and appropriate adjustments made for future engagements.

[0170] Project Manager 126 provides a quality function task after “Go Live”. This task aims at checking the implementation of the EPS Offering to determine if anything needs special attention or focus. It is also the formal sign-off on the final delivery of the implementation by the customer. Its deliverables include:

[0171] (1) Customer accepts delivery of the EPS general procurement offering implementation and signs off.

[0172] (2) Action list on issues and CR/PTR's, if applicable.

[0173] (3) Formal transition of operational responsibility to operations 98 and support management 96.

[0174] (4) Preliminary business benefits evaluation.

[0175] The Req/Cat and SAP technical teams 128, 138 provide ongoing reviews and improvements to the client's process through the CR and PTR processes. These are formalized, documented processes with management controls to attain cost, schedule, and customer objectives.

[0176] As part of the new business process, support center 94 is established to provide long term assistance in any area of the application solution. This includes communication of feedback, real time application assistance, and special requests for problems concerning data.

[0177] It is the planned integration of these multi-functional teams that provides an innovative solution to the customer.

[0178] Referring to FIG. 3A, a series of steps illustrating an exemplary critical path through assessment stage 101 will be described. Qualify potential client step 170, which actually pertains to pre-sales stage 100, is based on use of the detail task template P711, selected portions of which are set forth in Table 5. In step 172, using detail task template PD11, a customer transition assessment is performed. In step 174, using detail task template P111, a customer business assessment is performed. In step 176, using detail task template P117, the workshop approach is formulated. In step 178, using summary task template P12, the recommended service offering is introduced to the customer. In step 180, using summary task template P91, project planning is initiated and the project manager assigned.

[0179] While these steps 170-180 represent a path through the assessment stage 101, other summary and detail tasks designated in Table 4 as pertaining to stage 101 are typically included in the initial set of templates for this customer, and are also used as they are determined to be applicable. Selected fields of the template P711 for stage 100 step 170 are represented in the detail task template of Table 5. Some field entries are dynamic and changeable during the course of assessment stage 101. The templates are also editable for a particular project, and do not necessarily continue during use to conform to the original format.

[0180] Referring to step 170, once a potential client is identified, this client must be qualified for an offering(s) before continuing further. Information is gathered from the client or other sources about the client to determine if they are generally a match for one of the offerings. Telephone conferences or meetings may be held to gather/confirm this information and to confirm that the potential client wishes to progress towards an engagement. In step 170, the marketing team accesses template P711 in the course of qualifying a prospective customer for the assessment stage. Template 170 provides, either directly or by way of links, other documents, instructions, flow charts, and checklists for guiding and documenting the work of the marketing team through the steps for doing so. Those steps are performed by multiple people within the team and are as follows:

[0181] 1. Offering interest is communicated to BPM Opportunity Manager by Sales/Client.

[0182] 2. Client information is gathered (from sources; client phone calls, etc.) by BPM Opportunity Manager.

[0183] Marketing Materials—Offering Information

[0184] Client Qualification Questions/Tool

[0185] Pre Assessment Data Collection

[0186] Pre Assessment Questions

[0187] Pre Assessment Spend, Tax, and Budgets

[0188] 3. Opportunity Manager completes initial qualification form.

[0189] 4. Opportunity Manager forwards ‘qualified’ client interest to S&P Marketing Rep.

[0190] 5. S&P Marketing Rep makes client contact to pursue assessment SOW, capture assessment scope details.

[0191] 6. S&P Marketing Rep confirms client interest and forwards client assessment scope information to process, IT, and consulting reps.

[0192] The deliverables resulting from step 170 include the following:

[0193] Qualified client

[0194] Client background information

[0195] Marketing Materials—Offering Information

[0196] Client Qualification Questions/Tool

[0197] Pre Assessment Data Collection

[0198] Pre Assessment Questions

[0199] Pre Assessment Spend, Tax, and Budgets

[0200] Initial Qualification Form

[0201] Request for Assessment SOW (provides Assessment scope)

[0202] An attachment including either a blank template or an example from a previous offering is linked to template P711 for each of the above deliverables for use by members of the team executing this step 170.

[0203] Referring to step 172, a transition management team accesses template PD11 in the course of performing a customer transition assessment, the objective of which is to obtain understanding of the prospective client's business and HR operation and infrastructure. A transition management questionnaire is linked from template PD11 and is used to target specific areas to provide insights to the client's operation in the following key areas:

[0204] Business Organization/Structure

[0205] Business Processes

[0206] Measurements

[0207] Management Systems

[0208] HR Considerations.

[0209] Template PD11, a sample of which is provided in Table 6, provides, either directly or by way of links to other documents, instructions, flow charts, sample questionnaires, report models and checklists for guiding, coordinating and documenting the work of the transition management team through the steps for doing so.

[0210] The Initial Client Questionnaire presents a spread sheet to be completed which asks for the following for each of several categories of expenditures: total spent, total spent via purchase order, total spent via blanket purchase order, total spent with core suppliers, total number of invoices, number of manual invoices, number of automated invoices (EDI), total number of suppliers, number of invoices paid via electronic funds transfer (EFT). The categories include marketing and advertising, information technology, third party maintenance, telecom equipment, facilities, human resources, business resources, with each of these including several more detailed line items.

[0211] Also, a link is provided to a human resources questionnaire to be completed. A sample questionnaire is set forth in Table 7.

[0212] In step 174, the assessment team accesses template P111 in the course of performing a customer business assessment, the objective of which is to assess the client's commodity profile, pricing and process flow and allow the service provider or Enterprise to determine the best course of action relative to the structure of the offering and better understand the client's buying profile and inputs and outputs. Template P111 provides, either directly or by way of links to other documents, instructions, flow charts, sample questionnaires, report models and checklists for guiding, coordinating and documenting the work of the assessment team through the steps for doing so. Table 8 illustrates selected fields from template P111 Perform Customer Business Assessment.

[0213] In step 176, the assessment team and project manager access template P117 in the course of formulating a workshop approach, the objective of which is to provide guidance in developing the business case associated with this engagement and assist with the preparation of different business options based on the results of the assessment. Template P117 provides, either directly or by way of links to other documents, instructions, flow charts, sample questionnaires, report models and checklists for guiding, coordinating and documenting the work of the assessment team through the steps for doing so. These steps include (1) assembling a Customer Business Assessment Information and review, (2) determining the most appropriate offering to be developed for the client, (3) confirming business processes high level fit to recommended offering, (4) validating and documenting business reasons for investing in workshop, (5) reviewing with project management for critique and approval to proceed, and (6) validating Recommended Service Offering during workshop. The deliverable is a business CAS standard documentation template.

[0214] In step 178, the assessment team, accesses summary template P12 in the course of introducing a recommended service offering to the customer. The tasks described in this segment guide the service provider to present the final offering to the prospective client and guide the development of the business case for the project office and team. Template 178 and its subsidiary detailed templates provide, either directly or by way of links to other documents, instructions, flow charts, sample questionnaires, report models and checklists for guiding, coordinating and documenting the work of the assessment team through the steps for briefing the customer on the suggested offering, identifying and confirming client gaps to the standard offering, providing a high level customer scope document, completing the business case document, and drafting a document of understanding (DOU). Guidelines for the approver of this step, as for others, include the following: (1) Is the process documented as it is currently being performed? (2) Are the SAP actions and steps documented correctly? (3) Is the document complete? (4) Has the standard process been communicated or is there a plan to communicate it? (5) Are the metrics identified from the customer's point of view? (6) Are users trained or is there a plan to train them?

[0215] In step 180, which may positioned as a final step in the assessment stage or as an initial step in the project preparation stage, the project office accesses template P91 and its subsidiary detailed templates in the course of initiating project planning, including assigning a project manager. After the Engagement Assessment stage has been concluded, actual detailed planning for the realization of the project can be initiated. Based on the findings in the Assessment, the scope and general size and effort required for implementing the EPS offering for the customer is known, and can be broken down into a manageable project and resource plan including budgets. Once the plan has been developed and the resource requirements are known, the project team member qualifications can be determined both from the Customer and the service provider organizations. Once the team members have been identified and the project plan mapped out in detail and the project infrastructure has been validated, the project is introduced to the assembled project team prior to conducting the official kick-off meeting for the project. Summary task template P91 and its subsidiary detailed task templates provide, either directly or by way of links to other documents, instructions, flow charts, sample questionnaires, report models and checklists for guiding, coordinating and documenting the work of the project manager and assessment team through the steps for doing so, including (1) confirming the project scope and implementation strategy, (2) confirming project organization and assigning resources to roles, (3) preparing and validating project plan and procedures, (4) establishing project team working environment, and (5) orienting the project team. A check list is provided listing the deliverables and their status for tracking of these steps, including a realistic project plan and budget is signed off by the customer based on the assessment, the project team members are identified and committed based on requirements for qualifications, the project infrastructure, all inclusive, is agreed upon and established, and the project is communicated and bought into by project team members from both the service provider and the customer.

[0216] It is an advantage of the invention that there is provided a system and method for evaluating a client's general procurement and accounts payable (GP/AP) system.

[0217] It is an advantage of the invention that there is provided an optimized solution for out-sourcing procurement of goods and services.

[0218] It is an advantage of the invention that there is provided a system and method for training service providers.

[0219] It is an advantage of the invention that there is provided a system and method for managing service providers to assure quality of service.

[0220] It is an advantage of the invention that there is provided a system and method for managing a project.

[0221] It is an advantage of the invention that there is provided an optimized general procurement and accounts payable system characterized by lower costs, a paperless process, and more comprehensive service with a shorter cycle time.

[0222] It will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, it is within the scope of the invention to provide a computer program product or program element, or a program storage or memory device such as a solid or fluid transmission medium, magnetic or optical wire, tape or disc, or the like, for storing'signals readable by a machine, for controlling the operation of a computer according to the method of the invention and/or to structure its components in accordance with the system of the invention.

[0223] Further, each step of the method may be executed on any general computer, such as an IBM System 390, AS/400, PC or the like and pursuant to one or more, or a part of one or more, program elements, modules or objects generated from any programming language, such as C++, Java, P1/1, Fortran or the like. And still further, each said step, or a file or object or the like implementing each said step, may be executed by special purpose hardware or a circuit module designed for that purpose.

[0224] Accordingly, the scope of protection of this invention is limited only by the following claims and their equivalents.