Introduction

Quality planning and design form the foundations for a successful transition project, but it is only through effective transition management that the expected business benefits can actually be delivered. It is through the skills of the transition manager that the project is kept on course and the inevitable distractions overcome. It is through their facilitation that the transition team and the individual projects are kept in harmony. The transition manager also plays a key role in minimizing project slippage by tracking and chasing progress until the end goal is reached. In this chapter we will look at the role of the transition manager and management structure and processes to support them.

Getting off to a good start

The most skilled and experienced transition managers can only hope to succeed if they get off to the best possible start. This requires that the transition planning phase has been successfully concluded prior to proceeding with the transition. The cost of remedying project mistakes may be relatively small at this early stage, but is likely to grow exponentially as the transition progresses. The previous transition planning phase should have delivered a sound base for the transition project in the form of:

• Transition goals that are agreed and documented

• Transition project values and principles that are agreed...