After Action Review Themes: October - December 2024

This is the monthly update on the themes that came out of our After Action Review sessions in October, November, and December. See below for key themes and opportunities, lessons learned, best practices, recommendations for immediate impact, and actions for long-term improvement.

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What Sessions Did We Facilitate These Past Few Months?

General Project Approach

• Even if the client owns certain aspects of the project (ISVs, data migration, reporting, etc.), teams found that following up early and often throughout the project can help mitigate last-minute challenges, particularly when there are dependencies.

  • If possible, build in time for a Data Migration "event," where the Stoneridge team can lead the client through what needs to happen for their data and give them the opportunity to ask questions, particularly if the client is supposed to have more ownership over Data Migration as per the SOW.

• Multiple projects called out the importance of QA and how it contributes to the success of the project. Projects that went live this month said that having more bandwidth in QA than usual and having strong leadership in this area pays off if the client is willing to invest in it.

• When working with the client and teaching them a new process in the system, using something that they already know to help familiarize them with the new system can help us in being strategic about how we encourage the client to stay engaged and increase sense of ownership. For example:

  • As an example, one project thought creatively to find ways to connect with the client regarding ADO training. The client was already familiar with Excel, so the team utilized Excel as a point of reference to teach the client how to use the new tool. Utilizing client data in training as much as possible is also very helpful to make the information feel more applicable to them.

ADO Standardization & Other Available Resources

• Maximizing ADO’s abilities to track requirements, change orders, risks, and issues provides a number of efficiencies for both the Stoneridge and client teams. The recently released ADO processes and adherence to them is critical here, especially for how we train and talk to the client about utilizing the tool. Team members can look forward to the incorporation of these newly aligned processes in ongoing and/or upcoming engagements. (See “ADO Process Materials (for Projects)” in the Proven Process Fundamentals section in the Playbook.)  

• Tool Highlight: The Base RASCI Workbook is a tool to help define roles and responsibilities within the team throughout the project and at critical milestones / phase stage gates. Best Practice would be to revisit this workbook as a team to talk through planned approach for each Phase at a high level to ensure continued alignment as the project progresses. (This is also available in the Proven Process Fundamentals section in the Playbook.)