Step One - project initiation

Do not aim to achieve too much at the first project initiation meeting after the award of contract. This will be the first meeting after the formal procurement and contract stage so it provides an ideal opportunity for both sides to really meet each other and all the key team members and provide additional background information.

You should aim to go through the project plans and project structure, the roles and responsibilities and most importantly, agree the high level timetable for phases one to three and the meetings needed to complete all the key tasks. At the end of the meeting you should have clarified the roles and responsibilities and have a schedule of meetings mapped out.

You should have contact lists drawn up and logistical issues resolved including where the supplier team will be based when they are on site; meeting rooms; e-mail contact details, etc.

As outlined in stage two you should internally have identified EDRM contact points in each Department/business unit and should be running a user group at regular intervals at which you update all the users on the progress with the project and their roles and responsibilities. This will include agreeing with each Department/unit the preferred schedule for the roll out and which Department/s are going to be involved in the Model Office and the pilots.