Project Management
The latest project management methodology used to implement the Oracle EBS is Oracle Unified Methodology (OUM).
Oracle Unified Methodology (OUM)
  • Inception: Before even starting the project, first find out is the Oracle EBS is cost effective. It is always better to go with the standard business practice close to Oracle EBS. After finalizing the current business process, work on the gap analysis. The gap may be eliminated either by altering the business process or changing the application by customization or extension to suite. The basic requirement includes the Organization structure, GL Code Combination structure, Manufacturing Organizations, and the respective Master Organization. If new implementation, then defining project team, conducting workshops to do the gap analysis, user training is also part of the inception.
  • Elaboration: Elaboration includes Business Use Case, Project Strategy, Finalizing the hardware requirement, test plan, defining coding standards, performance management, and project schedule.
  • Construction: The design, development, preliminary testing, and deployment of the extensions, customizations, and integration are the first part of the construction. This also includes performance analysis, hardware testing including backup and recovery of the system. During the construction period, it is important to finalize the refresh cycles of the instance, and maintain the data security in the gold instance.
  • Transition: User Acceptance Test, Performance Test, user training, and Go Live are the main stages of the transition.
  • Production: System Performance, Issue Maintenance, Change Management, Application Support, Patching and Upgrades are the part of this stage of the final stage of Oracle EBS
    • Resource Management
    The first resource is the internal resource available to spare the time for the project. The next level of resource is the new recruitment willing to learn, and work as a team player. As always for small implementations or short term positions use the consulting services.

    Other than few places where the Citizenship is required to work in a project, for all the development, and support work off-shore resources are the best possible solution. The only restriction is to have the clear requirements defined. Otherwise the development may become ineffective.

    Off-shore team Management
    To maintain the offshore team, the requirements should be clearly defined. If the CEMLI process is followed correctly, then the development effort will be very effective. There should be at least one dedicated offshore coordinator, since the working hours are different. With respect to the location of the offshore team, the time difference is the key factor for discussions, question and answers, and conferences.
    Health Check and Auditing
    It is always better to have different pair of eyes to validate the project status. Health check and auditing in the project helps in foreseeing the issue, and plan for the right resource. The first stage of the health check is recommended after the requirement is finalized, to make sure all the gap analysis and business requirements are covered. The second stage of the health check is recommended after the development is completed, and before the User Acceptance Test. If required, then the third health check may be required during the dry run and after new implementation.
    Oracle Support SR Liaison Service
    Resolving an issue with Oracle Support is an art. As soon as the issue is reproduced in the internal Oracle instance, the Oracle Support will be able to provide the estimated duration for the solution or the work around. Working off hours, support severity one issue, providing the supporting details to reproduce the issue needs a dedicated resource.