Project Management

Get the result you want the first time by tapping into our expert technology resources

• Gain peace of mind that our experts will look out for potential problems and keep you informed every step of the way

• Free up your internal resources to focus on non-tech growth

How We Handle Special Projects 

From time to time, prospective or current clients contact Now IT Works with special projects in mind. These projects go beyond ordinary IT management. For example, they might include moving a business location, reconfiguring software applications, transitioning from in-house to cloud-based operations, creating remote or hybrid workspaces, etc. 

When undertaking these types of projects, NIW follows high-level project management (PM) protocols. These include determining the structure and timeline of the project, as well as a communications plan. 

Our communications process means that you will not have invested resources (time, money, and energy) in vain. 

Structure and Timeline

When a client contacts us about a specific project such as moving a small manufacturing firm to a new location–we begin by asking a lot of questions and using the answers to develop a plan. 

• What needs to be done? What are your objectives? 

• Why is this project necessary? 

• Who among your team and Now IT Works will be involved? 

• Where will the work take place? 

• When will the project be completed? What are the milestones?  

Let’s run through a common example–of a client who asked to have their current email system transferred to MS Outlook. The project could involve these steps:

• Determine how many mailboxes (accounts) need to be moved, their size, where they are stored now, etc. 
• Decide how the MS Outlook license will be handled and whether the client will be responsible for that.
• Identify client’s team members that need to be directly involved in this project–and their specific role/tasks. 
• Determine where the email data will live after the transition and whether backup (in addition to what MS already provides) should be added. 
• Install any additional cybersecurity measures. 
• Establish a timeline for the project
  • when behind-the-scenes preparation will be completed
  • when client’s team will be notified about the project
  • when each milestone will occur
  • identify nodes at which the project will be evaluated to see if any changes are needed
  • when the transition will occur
  • when the transition will be tested
  • when the old email network will be deleted
  • when the result of the project will be evaluated
• Determine required training for client’s team–and how training will be delivered. 

When the structure of the project has been discussed and agreed to, NIW will send a project proposal to the client with the above outlined. At that time, the client will have an opportunity to suggest amendments. 

Communications

Two level of communication are integral to the management of the project. 

Internal and external. 

Once we agree on the project, Now IT Works sets up an internal meeting and an external meeting with the client (scope, timeline, training, implementation, evaluation, communication). 

Internally, we set up a ticket so that you’ll be notified at every critical stage of the project. Any changes in the project will be noted and approved through this communications channel. 

Progress reports can also be sent to the team (nature of the project, when it will occur, how it will affect them, reminders about scheduled work, progress reports). 

Finally, we end with an opportunity for the client and their team to voice any concerns. After that we will evaluate the project and your overall experience. 

We may also build in a questionnaire or a success story to fully understand the benefit of the project and how the process could have been improved.