1. ERMS Success Electronic Resources & Libraries 2010 February 1, 2010
Questions to ask before and during ERM Implementation
by Abigail Bordeaux
Scoping Questions
• Why are we getting/did we get an ERM? Why this ERM?
“To manage e‐resources.” OK, but you were doing that before you got an ERM. What is it that is
driving you to spend big bucks and embark on an implementation? Unable to track necessary
info? Dispersed info? Not doing certain things you think you should do or want to do? Better
information sharing?
• Who is driving the purchase and why?
Whose idea is it? Who thought of it? Who approved it? Who is pushing for implementation?
ERM staff? Systems staff? Administration? Who can ensure that necessary resources are
directed to the project? Is that person on board?
• What are the expectations?
Of administration, systems support, serials staff, e‐resource staff?
• Are they aligned with what the ERM actually does?
• What are the elephants are in the room?
Does the recession help or hurt the project? Organizational issues? Product issues?
What are you trying to accomplish – really? Is an administrator hoping for organizational change
through technology? Are you trying to bring reluctant staff on board with ERM activities? Do
you hope to get people working together who aren’t working together (well) now?
• What are the implications of the answers for your project scope?
Data Questions
• What are our functional requirements?
What does your current system do (whether it’s another ERM or a system of email and
spreadsheets)? For example, Harvard’s local ERM data was used to output a trials page. Do all
functions need to be replicated in the ERM?
• Should we migrate data or start fresh?
2. ERMS Success Electronic Resources & Libraries 2010 February 1, 2010
Do you want all the data you already have? Is it accurate and reliable? Or is an ERM
implementation an opportunity to clean up and start over?
• What are the matches and mismatches between our data and the data structure of the ERM?
How will you handle data that doesn’t fit neatly into the system? Can you create your own fields
or co‐opt existing fields that you might not need?
• What are the highest priority data?
Workflow Questions
• What is the end result we are trying to accomplish? What is the best workflow to get there?
Is the workflow that you have been using the best workflow possible? Should you try to
replicate it with a new system or not? Does it really transfer from one environment to the
other?
• What works well with our existing workflows? What does not?
• Can we put everything on the table?
Can you look closely at everything? Are there parts of the process that are truly out of your
control? Can you work with other staff or departments if some things aren’t working?
