Cadence Group has a long history of helping clients easily obtain and manage information tailored to specific needs — using its professional Consulting services. Cadence Group’s information professionals understand the best practices for and hold expertise in records management, knowledge management, library science, research, information architecture and content management.

At Cadence Group, we do not resell or endorse any software products. Rather, we sift through an ever-growing pool of information resources and software solutions, identifying the most reliable sources and tools. This enables us to provide objective and current information management (IM) consulting solutions tailored to fit your needs.

IM Consulting Methodology
Consulting services are available in all Cadence Group practice areas. We help you define your IM needs, develop plans and recommendations, create tailored solutions, implement new processes and procedures, and train your users.

For all consulting assignments, Cadence Group uses a structured, five-phase consulting methodology consisting of Define, Plan, Assess, Create and Implement. Our consultative approach begins with initial contact and continues through project definition, delivery and closure. This base methodology is used during all Cadence Group efforts and is adjusted for each unique engagement during the initial needs identification and scope discovery.

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Figure 1: Fundamental Consulting Methodology

Define: (Pre-startup) Includes defining business needs, opportunity and scope of the project. This phase covers initial discovery, project definition and planning. Once agreement has been reached regarding the project scope and cost estimate, this phase culminates with the signing of a Statement of Work.

Plan: (Post-startup) Includes developing the detailed requirements, project plan, resource requirements and timeline. The Plan phase often overlaps the Define phase and concludes when planning and orientation are completed.  Risk analysis and detailed problem definition are performed during this phase. During this phase, we also:

	Finalize a Project Charter that describes the objectives, goals and scope of the project, the deliverables and critical milestones.  The charter also outlines a communication plan for how decisions will be made.  The proposal serves as the draft Project Charter.
	Fully develop a Project Plan.
	Identify and obtain contact information for information    stakeholders of this project.
	Facilitate a project kickoff meeting.

Assess: Includes documenting existing and desired environments, analyzing the gap between the two and developing recommendations.

The objective of this third phase is to develop recommendations for the creation of the solution.  The Assess phase activities include a materials review and interviews with key stakeholders in the process.  We analyze and summarize information collected to create deliverables.  Our focus is to successfully address the business requirements as defined in the Statement of Work.

Upon completion of this data capture, we use our analysis to create a Recommendations document addressing the deliverables as defined in the proposed solution description.

Create: Includes developing the solution, performing comprehensive testing and executing a pilot program.

During the Create phase, all aspects of the solution are developed, tested, and piloted. This phase concludes when the solution has been finalized and is ready to implement.  Once this occurs, the solution should only be changed within the context of a new project that has been identified through structured review and feedback. The Create phase deliverable is the Pilot Solution.

Implement: Includes publishing documentation, completing training and rolling out the solution in phases.

During the Implement phase the documentation is finalized, the first wave of training is completed, and a phased rollout is performed. Review and modification to the rollout process is part of the phase. Making changes to the actual solution is not. Changing the solution would require a new project at this point. The Implement phase deliverables are:

	Solution documentation and training materials
	Rollout plan and solution implementa

Supporting processes: Includes supporting processes used throughout the overall engagement process. These are not inherent to the development of the solution but ensure its success. These processes are:

	Status reporting of the project
	Review and quality control of the solution
	Change management – project requirements, goals, scope & so on

Benefits of Using Cadence Group
Cadence Group objectively considers the broad implications of IM decisions, lessening disruptions to the work flow in other departments. In our recommendations, we look for ways to apply best practices to increase operating efficiencies, reduce risks, control costs, and leverage your technology investments – across the enterprise.

To discuss your information management consulting needs, please contact Cadence Group at 404-874-0544, ext. 113 or by e-mail at
info@cadence-group.com.

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