Monday
Charlie and I meet to decide how to handle our social care
project. Already the longest-running IT implementation in Bogcaster
City Council’s history, the project manager has recently suggested
it will take another five years and £2m to complete.
The original business case, written so long ago that no one can
find a copy, fortunately, said it would cost £200,000 and be
finished in time for the millennium.
There is some doubt now about which millennium was being referred
to. Anyway, the thing is becoming an embarrassment. “It works,”
protested Charlie.
“Not as well as it did several years ago when we first finished it
and before they started asking for amendments as an excuse for not
using it, but it does work. The problem is it is supposed to be
used by social workers. Most of them struggle to use an ATM. Show
them a keyboard with more than 10 keys on it and they just go
ga-ga.”
Tuesday
After a sleepless night spent worrying about our unfinished
white elephant, it suddenly came to me this morning over
breakfast.
Arriving at the office, I called in Charlie straight away and told
him. “Problem solved – it is finished.” I said. “But it is not,
they say they cannot use most of the functionality and the
universal client record is just not...” “I know, I know. But all we
have to do is say that it is finished. Done. A great success. Met
all the objectives.” “We cannot...” “Look, if the NHS, one of the
pillars of our society, can do it then so can we. I will get Mavis
to draft a press release.”
Wednesday
The CEO congratulated me on the success of the social care project
at the management board meeting this morning. “Well done. Thank God
that is over” sighed the director of social work, smiling rather
wanly. “We could not have done it without the co-operation and
enthusiasm of your people,” I responded.
Thursday
Mavis reports that a woman from the Association of Directors of
Social Work has phoned. They want me to give a presentation at
their conference about “implementing successful change management”.
I delegated the honour to Charlie.
Friday
I have just realised that I forgot to attend the GC Explode
conference yesterday. I was booked for lunch too. Someone will have
eaten my dried-up chicken drumstick, strangely coloured rice salad
and plastic bowl of three limp profiteroles with
chocolate-flavoured sauce. And Earls Court is so attractive in
June.
What an omission. I hope that Carmel Sloosedon does not get to hear
about it.
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