aPriori’s Rapid Deployment Methodology
Unlike many software system implementations, aPriori implementations can be measured in weeks, not months or years. Additionally, at the beginning of the project, the aPriori Cost Management Platform is installed (a process that typically takes a few hours), allowing a customer to immediately begin using the system and driving benefits. Out of the box the software includes the aPriori Baseline Virtual Production Environments (VPEs) that allow a customer to get familiar with the system and access directional decision support, while the organization builds custom VPEs. VPEs include the data and configuration selections representative of a supported process or processes.
The duration of a project is dependent on the scale of an implementation, which is driven by the number of users, the scope, and the number of VPEs to be built. A typical initial implementation takes about twelve weeks and has three key phases:
- Phase 1 – Project Mobilization, System Installation and Training
- Phase 2 – VPE Construction
- Phase 3 – Rollout and User Support
Phase 1 – Project Mobilization, System Installation and Training
We begin each project by engaging with the customer to define a statement of work that outlines scope and objectives, aPriori and customer resources, deliverables, timeline, key assumptions and critical success factors. Once the project is defined, our first activities include working with IT to install aPriori; conducting a project kick-off that is co-led with the customer project lead and executive sponsor; and delivering training and beginning the data gathering process.
The project kickoff is a key step in the process as it provides an opportunity for the customer executive sponsor to confirm within his/her organization why they chose aPriori and the opportunity for using aPriori and to set a priority and tone for resource participation and commitment.
Phase 2 – VPE Construction
The second phase of the project includes gathering data to support the development of a VPE and the activities to build, test and deliver a VPE. These activities begin at the project kickoff and typically take about eight weeks.
During data gathering, an aPriori business consultant (BC) works with the customer project lead and finance and manufacturing representatives to collect the key pieces of data that are required inputs for modeling a customer’s specific manufacturing environment. The BC uses data gathering templates and a methodology that has been designed to help streamline the process and minimize the client resource effort. Once collected, aPriori validates the data and constructs the VPE. These data elements include:
- Facility data (processes, defaults, period overhead)
- Material data (material list, rates, compositions, densities)
- Machine data (machine list, labor and work center rates, machine speeds and feeds, and routings and routing rules)
- Cost logic
- Test / calibration parts (production quantities, production material, production times, historical costs and CAD models)
After the initial model is built, aPriori and the customer begin testing to validate that the system is producing reasonable and reliable outputs. Finally once validated, the VPE is deployed in the customer’s production environment and is certified as ready for use.
Phase 3 – Rollout and User Support
During the implementation process, aPriori works closely with customers to develop an on-going maintenance plan to keep system data up to date, provides best practices and customer support to drive user adoption, and tracks results to validate the project’s success. By week eight of an implementation, a customer has the aPriori system and one or two of their facility VPEs running in production. We partner with our customers to ensure users are successfully using the system, incorporating it into their responsibilities and generating value. During this time, we’ll typically have bi-weekly user calls and provide periodic on-site support. To date, all of our customers are referenceable and have generated cost reductions that have delivered an ROI that paid for the project and beyond. Project extensions and additional license sales are common next steps when an implementation is complete.
Ongoing maintenance typically occurs quarterly and usually focues on updating material and machine data and rate information. Customers are self sufficient, engaging aPriori on a periodic basis for changes to process or cost logic. We advise our clients that an annual VPE health checkup is a worthwhile activity as system use can often surface the opportunity to tune the model or update a customer’s cost methodology.