Software Application Enhancement Management Services

Your core business involves exploration, drilling, production and deal-making, not developing oil and gas software. Therefore, reliance on packaged application software is prudent. Unfortunately, the ability to use the software “out of the box” is not always a reality. Software configuration and setup often satisfies only 80% of a company’s business needs. In order to fully support all functions, program modifications that build out key company differentiation and reporting requirements may be needed. E.A.G. Services has a proven methodology to lead you through the application enhancement lifecycle, from requirements definition through testing and training. We provide these services as part of our desire to help you achieve a complete solution.

E.A.G. Services approach addresses your needs from a total ownership perspective. Our methodology is tailored to the project requirements and includes the following traditional major phases often seen with custom development projects:

1. Requirements Gathering
2. Solution Design
3. Solution Development
4. Solution Testing
5. Solution Training
6. Solution Transition

The timing implications of application enhancements are often unique from traditional (develop from scratch) custom development projects since they must be coordinated with implementation timelines and upgrade release dates. As a result, we always align the custom solution development timeline with the packaged application implementation effort to provide timely delivery of the solution.

The Requirements Gathering phase includes an analysis of the application’s capabilities, structures and processes to identify the gaps that must be resolved during the custom development effort. Key stakeholders are identified and engaged, including the application vendor. E.A.G. Services’ experience with E&P software and functionality enables our consultants to differentiate between required and “nice-to-have” development requirements. We incorporate that information into the cost/benefit analysis and prioritization schedule that we present for management approval.

The Solution Design phase is critical to the ultimate success of the solution because it is during this phase that the data elements, calculations, logic and look and feel of the program are decided. In order for this phase to generate the necessary information and decisions, coordination between E.A.G. Services, the software vendor and your management is critical. E.A.G. Services understands both the technical and business aspects of E&P solutions and can assist your end users, technical staff and application vendor in identifying the best solution for your business. In the end though, tradeoffs between functionality, technical capabilities and cost will always occur. Negotiating these issues often requires additional management and coordination expertise. For example, efficiencies gained from existing report layouts and database tables are often offset due to efforts to implement database extensions and working with vendor release strategies.

The Solution Development phase aligns with tradition programming activities and we can provide resources to program and/or manage the development effort. During this phase, we typically experience additional complexity in management efforts and especially timing when software vendors are responsible for the development effort. These challenges occur due to the coordination of vendor enhancement releases with periodic software version releases. E.A.G. Services can lead this coordination effort so that it aligns with your overall implementation schedule.

The Solution Testing phase requires the coordination of the enhancement acceptance testing efforts, technical testing for database and processing logic and stress testing to ensure that the volumes of data can be processed in a timely manner. This effort often involves multiple parties including the end users, application vendor and internal support staff. E.A.G. Services can develop, coordinate and assist with system testing, integration testing and stress testing.

The Solution Training phase requires developing, planning and executing the training required to prepare end-users for the use of the new programs. Whether integrated into the standard application training offered by the vendor or provided as supplemental training classes, the enhancement training often addresses critical business processes and involves key company stakeholders.

Finally, during the Solution Transition phase, we provide the proper support and maintenance structure to ensure a smooth transition to the enhanced system. Whether working with the software vendor, an internal support staff or developing it ourselves (and transitioning it to an appropriate support staff), E.A.G. Services can lead the effort to produce a stable and knowledgeable support process.

Undergoing change is always a risky proposition. Tailoring the solution to align with your company’s business strategy, resources and culture is paramount to the success of any change endeavor. E.A.G. Services can provide the skill and experience to guide you through the development lifecycle, leading the effort to define and implement a solution that fits your business. To learn more about our enhancement management services, please contact us.