An IT project on time and on budget!
To get an accurate prediction for a project’s timeline and cost, popular wisdom is to double the budget and time of the initial estimates. New Zealand Winegrowers did not have the luxury of accommodating budget overruns or missing delivery dates when developing the pilot of a new freshwater farm planning tool for their members.
New Zealand Winegrowers project manager, Hayley Abbott, put out an RFP seeking a vendor to provide a software solution that enabled its members to complete and submit a Freshwater Farm Plan through an online tool.
“To give this some context, this was not just about creating a planning tool, this project aims to drive improved protection of water quality in waterways across New Zealand’s key wine regions. Building a freshwater farm planning tool for our members further strengthens our collective commitment to sustainable winegrowing.” Hayley says.
After evaluating the responses, they selected QCONZ to undertake this work. “With budget and time constraints we required a vendor with a good track record, who was competent yet flexible, and easy to work with. We needed a vendor who could demonstrate that they were prepared to understand the New Zealand wine sector and create a bespoke solution for our industry, that would support our members in their ability to meet their regulatory obligations.
“QCONZ have been fabulous to work with. They were open and responsive resulting in a core build that was fast and of high quality. Time was a significant factor for us so a rapid delivery ensured we could pilot with our members in a suitable timeframe during the busy harvest season.
“I’ve worked with many vendors and what stood out for me in this project was their pragmatic approach. We were not subject to a rigid internal project methodology, QCONZ worked with us to agree a ‘way of working’ prior to the commencement of the project. Then we simply got on with it. We did what was important, didn’t sweat the small stuff, and ended up with a great result. We also had a lot of fun along the way, and the entire team enjoyed the product development. There was a real sense of pride with what we accomplished.”
When asked what the key elements were to bring the project in on time and on budget, Justin Moss, GM Information Technology at QCONZ, said a big one was the how well New Zealand Winegrowers and QCONZ were aligned. “Both of us are smaller organisations compared to our counterparts, we are used to making a little go a long way, we are very focused on the things that matter and genuinely enjoy what we do. This meant we maintained clarity and great relationships throughout the project, we were able to adapt quickly when needed and just get on and do the work.”
Hayley concurs, “Onerous processes are typically insurance against poor judgement and average relationships. With aligned teams and capable people, you can save yourself from unnecessary overhead and get a lot built in a short time. Justin and I both focussed on ensuring everyone on the team had a voice and this resulted in excellent collaboration and exceptionally high-quality product enhancements. We continuously worked on doing everything possible to set the team up for success. We are now in a good place to manage the changes required when the new freshwater regulations are released and get this new online tool.
