Case Studies

The following is a list of case studies of project I have recently completed. These case studies are selected to show some of the diverse information technology projects we have been involved in and how these projects have had direct results on the bottom line. Each of our case studies have four sections:

Business Challenge - A short description of the organization and the business challenge the organization was facing.
Approach - How did our strategic technology perspective allow us to approach the problem in a different way?
Project Details - What were the details of the project. What was our role in the overall project?
Results - How did the organization benefit from our work?

Case Study #1: State Agencies Attempting to Integrate Information Systems.

Business Challenge	Approach
A new state agency was attempting to integrate information from many different computer systems. Many of the state agencies were using proprietary systems and required large licensing fees. One agency was starting to use a radical new open architecture that used J2EE and XML as an integration broker.	In many cases the use of proprietary vendor specific systems is appropriate when the vendor offers exceptional tools and value. But in this case the only way to ensure interoperability between heterogeneous systems was to approach the project as a classic Enterprise Application Integration project and promote the use of open XML based protocols.
Project Details	Results
My role in this project was to assist at building adapter specifications to different computer systems. I worked with designers and developers to build and test these systems. I created functional specification and assisted gathering detailed business requirements. I also made sure the entire team understood the incredible potential of the system they were building.	XML and Web Services based system adapters have now been created that allow a single web user interface to quickly search multiple systems. This allowed users to save time when searching multiple databases as well as increase the quality of the results of these searches. Agencies are also starting to exchange workflow documents using XML. This has the potential to save the state of Minnesota millions of taxpayer dollars.

Case Study #2: Health Care Clinic Needed New Practice Management System

Business Challenge	Approach
A 15 physician clinic was interested in purchasing a new practice management system. Their existing system met many of the core functions of the business but lacked critical integration pieces and suffered from a character-based interface that was not intuitive.	When selecting a new software system that is the nerve center of a practice it is critical to look at many aspects of the system. Not only did we analyze the technologies used in the new systems we also made sure we objectively documented the core business processes and had fair representation of all aspects of the practice on the selection team.
Project Details	Results
We worked with a software selection team to define requirements for a new computer system. We interviewed specialists in different areas of the business including patient scheduling, front office, charge entry, claims processing and back office functions. such as collections.	The clinic selected a new practice management system and in now in the process of implementing the system. People on the selection team felt that the process was fair and objective. Vendors also felt as though they were treated fairly.

Case Study #3: Association Needs an Integrated Technology Strategy

Business Challenge	Approach
A Twin Cities association was facing dropping membership and declining revenues. Their IT staff was small but very competent. They wanted to find new ways to add value to their business value to their customers.	We use a standard technology strategy development process. We gathered internal information, looked at outside factors, built a common list of themes and started to define IT projects that would support the business objectives of the organization.
Project Details	Results
We first interviewed many of the key staff members to find the staffs strengths and weaknesses. We then looked at how external factors were changing the role of the membership in their organizations. We built consensus that many of the objectives of the IT department would produce results that would benefit the members.	The technology presentation was made to the board of directors and a clear IT direction and priorities were established. In this case many of the IT projects were already on track. The board just needed have an objective outsider analyze the projects and assist at aligning the projects to the mission of the association.