The administrator should plan the CRP, set process and documentation standards ensure that functional leaders publish meeting announcements, release comprehensive meeting minutes, keep adequate records of meetings/decisions and refer unresolvable issues to the steering committee. This person should also monitor the process to ensure that it’s being followed as prescribed.

Maintain system parameters - defaults, settings for things such as netting methods, costing methods, exception reporting rules, posting rules, default charge accounts, etc.

Ensure that databases are maintained:

• CRP databases, used for structured business testing of various likely scenarios.
• “Play” databases for free form/ad hoc experimentation.
• Training database, used for formal and informal instruction.
• MIS should maintain live (production) databases for the various organizations employing the software after implementation.

Required maintenance of CRP databases includes such things as maintaining parameters per instructions of project management. For example, the administrator may be instructed by a functional leader to change a parameter, such as default inventory posting account number. Before that is done, it’s advisable to review the impact with the team and take appropriate steps before/after implementing it. It might be necessary to inform the other team members of the impact of this change. Changes tested in the CRP may be subsequently moved to other databases after the team has indicated that is the direction to go. For best results, MIS should probably perform this after evaluating the impact and consulting with the team, which should have already consulted with key systems users.

The administrator may also be asked to maintain archives of CRP databases and to roll back/restore various versions at various times. MIS should give the administrator a free hand and the proper tools/utilities to accomplish it efficiently and quickly.

D. Equipment/facilities

The establishment of proper facilities can enhance results, reduce costs and time required to successfully complete the CRP. A project headquarters area should provide adequate space for teams to assemble, perform wall flow charting activities, conduct classroom training and simulation testing. Figure 2 depicts a facility employed for a medium sized company implementing an integrated MRPII/financial system.

An adequate number of terminals/workstations and both line and slave printers should be made available in close proximity to each other and to the room facilities (the slave printers are needed to document screen contents at critical test points). This permits more effective interaction of the group performing its tasks. Equipment can later be recycled for production purposes, unless a small ongoing CRP test bed is maintained.