GDI managed multiple projects and a variety of relationships to develop an integrated solution that allowed this healthcare services company to implement audit recommendations.
The Challenge
Client Background
Our client is a leader in delivering innovative healthcare products, services and information to more than 3 million members. The company also offers its members value-added programs, which provide discounts and information on a wide variety of health-related services at no additional cost. It has several divisions, including Commercial and Government Operations, Finance, Healthcare, Human Resources, Information Services, Office of the Executive Vice-President, Office of General Counsel and Sales & Marketing
Project Objective:
One of the key project goals was to manage the implementation of the level 1 audit recommendations. This involved managing the company’s ODS Operational Excellence Projects Portfolio which included over 40 high-profile, high-risk and high-dollar projects.
Other objectives included:
- Managing the implementation of bi-directional interfaces (eBenefitsNow) in the ERP (Lawson) for employee open enrollment and benefits-related data changes
- Modifying systems that stored vendor data (ODS, Legacy Claims History) so that all vendor claims data were accurately loaded to ODS, CDW, FIRST, the General Ledger and Legacy Claims file
- Implementing system rejection processes to return all invalid data to vendors
- Assigning all received claim data to appropriate system destination and ensuring payment for appropriate claims
- Using enhanced control reports to identify data transfer issues earlier in the processing cycle
The Solution
Technology Employed
Java, J2EE, Lawson ERP and Project Management Principle
Project Details:
The following sub-projects were undertaken to meet the objective of the project:
- Management of ODS Operational Excellence Projects Portfolio (over 40 projects)
- Handling claims recovery for dental, pharmacy and health vendors
- Working on performance and data integrity improvements to various programs and interfaces along with the creation of data repositories
- Management of Lawson Security initiatives to address level 1 audit recommendations
- Working on Lawson-eBenefitsNow interfaces and development of functionality for bank merger and positive pay
- Modifying legacy systems containing vendor data on ODS and Legacy Claims History
The project involved managing business users, IT analysts, developers, QA and UAT testers for all project phases from inception, definition, construction, deployment, production to warranty. We also managed all steps in the system development life cycle (SDLC), including project funding, business requirements, developer integration testing, test planning, construction, system test, user acceptance test and production. Finally, the project involved managing business IT and vendor relationships at senior management, management and user levels.
Key responsibilities:
- Developing and presenting project reporting visuals. Working closely with the business in establishing the project work parameters, including:
- Identifying technical and non-technical deliverables and work products
- Effort, cost and duration estimates for completing deliverables
- Identifying and committing resources for the project, as needed
- Developing the project plan, including change control plan, work breakdown structure, risks, issues, assumptions, constraints, roles and responsibilities, communication plan, contact list
- Procuring the necessary resources
- GDI consultants anchored all activities for study, analysis and defining of client requirements, from the inception of the project to project delivery
- We ensured that all IS and business deliverables were completed in accordance with the project management plan, and approved. The original objectives, deliverables, requirements, and success criteria were reviewed to determine whether or not the project was a success. The lessons learned were identified and documented and all project-related information archived.
- The project charter was developed by GDI’s Lead Consultant in consultation with project stakeholders
- Our consultants efficiently managed development activities, test planning and performed testing to ensure the delivery of integrated technology solutions that conformed to client requirements
- We established basic project management principles by implementing regular team meetings with agendas, meeting minutes, and status reports to the team leads, stakeholders, or anyone else identified in the communication plan. The project's progress and success were continually monitored, along with any risks or issues associated with the project. The progress of the project was documented, and project plan materials updated on an ongoing basis. We provided status reports to the project team and project stakeholders, escalating or mitigating risks and issues when necessary
- The client appreciated our consultants for their significant contribution to the management of vendor relationships, their interaction with business and technology teams, and for securing the best interests of the client at all levels of interaction
The Results
GDI was instrumental in providing a professional, technical and management approach to the execution of multiple projects.
Our expertise in the project development life cycle enabled the effective management of the commercial as well as technology aspects of the project. This translated into the delivery of leading-edge technology solutions within time and budgetary constraints.
GDI helped the client to generate reports that facilitated informed decision-making.
The software solutions provided by GDI enabled the client to balance data and generate bills within the required timelines.