Correspondence
Human Resources & Employee Relations
100 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, MA 02125-3393
Phone: 617-287-5120
Fax: 617-287-5145
TO: Finance & Administration Advisory Group & Business Managers
FROM: Mark Preble Assistant Vice Chancellor for Human Resources & Employee Relations
CC: Vice Chancellors, Deans, Directors & Department Heads
SUBJECT: HR Upgrade
Dear F & A Advisory Committee Members & Executive Staff:
I am pleased to report that the upgrade to PeopleSoft HCM v.9.0 remains on schedule. As of July 2, 2008, we are more than half way there! Below are a few highlights:
- Design teams from all of the campuses have been working hard to take the lessons learned from last fall’s fit-gap sessions and design a new system that will both meet our business requirements and, at the same time, take full advantage of the newest technology in Human Resources Information Systems.
- Several test migrations and preliminary tests of basic functionality using our data in the new environment have been completed—all positive signs that we will meet our scheduled go-live period during the first quarter of calendar year 2009.
- The change management and training teams are now in full gear—working on communications plans and training strategies. We anticipate that we will supplement traditional training courses with on line context- and campus-specific information in real-time during production to assist users as they navigate some of the newest functionality.
- Much has been discussed about self-service and whether our culture is “ready” to manage certain information and process certain transactions on line. However, although the navigation through the various parts of the system is different (and for some will be new), the navigation is quite simple and the data is readily accessible. Even for those staff members who do not use a computer at work, the system is comparable to using a simple search engine like Yahoo or Google, making an airline reservation, checking sports scores, or buying a book at amazon.com. All that is necessary is a simple internet connection. In addition, kiosks will be available in those areas where staff members do not have regular access to a computer.
- Although we anticipate considerable self-service functionality (including both employee and manager self-service functionality) at go live, many self-service processes will be initially piloted or delayed until we have more experience with the new application. We are also careful to be sure that self-service functionality is different work—not more work.
- With any self-service application, security is vital. To ensure the privacy of our HR data, security concerns and requirements have been integrated throughout the design sessions.
- I have been named module steward for governmental reporting. In that role I have been working with the EEO/Affirmative Action and Institutional Research departments around the university to ensure that certain personal and demographic data are properly collected and managed to meet our reporting requirements.
- The campus steering committee, consisting of Terry Phalen, Becky Hsu, Linda Perrotto, Tony Manibusan, Sean McInnis, and Josie Sturgis, continues to meet weekly to ensure that all project activities are designed to meet our specific campus needs.
In a separate but related project, we have been working with a business consulting firm, Executive Alliance, to review and recommend business process improvements. Many members of the F & A group offered valuable input during the initial data collection phase. Executive Alliance is now reviewing their findings and preliminary recommendations with all campuses. We hope to be able to integrate several business process improvements into the new application.
The project will become more visible in the coming months as we begin training. I will keep you posted.
Thanks.
Previous Memos
Memo # 3 Friday, February 22.2008
Memo #1 Tuesday, September 25, 2007