IT Solution for Improving MTC Hiring Process – System Justification and Implementation Areas

System Justification

Provided with the Stage 4 Assignment Instructions is a brochure that describes an IT solution that the CIO has selected, with the HR Director’s endorsement, to meet the needs of improving MTC’s hiring process.  In Stage 1, you analyzed the strategy and objectives for MTC and how a technology solution to improve the hiring process would contribute.  In Stage 2, you analyzed how to improve the hiring process with a technology solution, and in Stage 3 you identified specific requirements.  After reviewing the EZ-ATS Brochure, briefly describe the recommended solution.  Then, describe how that selected solution aligns with achieving the strategy, improves the process, and meets the requirements.  Write two to three clear, concise, well-organized paragraphs to summarize this assessment.  Don’t just repeat information from previous stages but synthesize this information and provide strong information and justification to explain why this proposed solution is a good fit for MTC.  Don’t describe details of the functionality but address overall how this solution will address the current issues with the manual hiring process and benefit MTC.  Remember you are writing a report to your boss, the CIO of MTC, that he can use to convince the leadership team why this is the best solution based on your analysis.

To successfully implement this technology solution, MTC will need to develop an Implementation Plan and below is a list of key implementation areas that should be included.  First, provide a brief introduction to this section – what it contains and why an Implementation Plan is so important for MTC. Then address each of the seven (7) areas below to explain what MTC needs to do (with support by the vendor). Provide the numbered heading and then write one to two paragraphs to address the area. The sub-areas (a,b,c, etc.) contain questions and areas to help guide your thinking about what should be covered and should be incorporated within your response to the major category. For an explanation of the implementation areas, refer to the Week 7 Reading "Implementing a SaaS Solution" as well as conduct additional external research.  The vendor brochure provides information for some of these areas, but you need to include what MTC must do as well.   Remember you are writing this section to help MTC plan for a successful implementation.  It is not sufficient to just indicate “Vendor provides” or “employees need to be trained."  In addition to incorporating course content, external research on implementation areas will strengthen your understanding and explanation.   The goal for this section is to help MTC know what needs to happen in each area and who might be responsible for given activities to help support a successful implementation of EZ-ATS.  

Recommended Solution and Alignment with MTC's Strategy, Process, and Requirements

1.Vendor agreement (MTC must enter into a contractual agreement with the vendor before full implementation.  This identifies responsibilities as well as costs.)  Incorporate answers to the following questions in your paragraph – do not include the questions themselves.

a.What does the vendor require from MTC to be able to start using the system?

b.How much will it cost to get access to and configure the system for MTC's use? 

c.How much will it cost per month to support 60 system users? 

d.What option is offered for MTC to just try out the system to see how it works?

2.Hardware and telecommunications (Although this is a SaaS solution, MTC must ensure that its IT infrastructure can support the use of the system and that its employees can correctly access the system.)  Include the following:

a.List the types of hardware MTC employees can use to access the system. 

b.Identify what kind of telecommunications will be used for the solution, including local connectivity inside MTC and Internet access from outside MTC.

c.List any other considerations related to ensuring employees can access the applicant tracking system.

3.Configuration (Even SaaS solutions require a degree of configuration for each client. What needs to be done to implement the MTC job requisitions, workflow, reports, terminology and/or logo/graphics?)  (Include the answers to the questions below, but not the questions themselves.)

a.What options does the vendor offer for configuring the off-the-shelf system to MTC's needs?  

b.How will the configuration be done and by whom?  

4.Testing 

a.Once MTC has signed up and configured the system, how will it test the system to see if it is working properly for its needs? Describe how MTC will conduct User Acceptance Testing.  (This would be a good area for you to research.)

b.Choose one of the user requirements (listed in Section III of your BA&SR Report) and explain how that requirement will be specifically tested to ensure it is working properly and the requirement is met.

5.Employee preparation and support – Identify what MTC should do in each area below to prepare the employees (including the hiring managers in the various departments) for the introduction and use of the new applicant tracking system.  Identify who (by their title or role) should do what in each area.  (Incorporate information from Course readings on Leadership and Change Management.)

a.Leadership (2-3 sentences) 

b.Change Management (2-3 sentences) 

c.Training (2-3 sentences) 

d.User Support (2-3 sentences)

6.Data Migration – Consider what existing data (applications in process with the manual process) would need to be entered into the system to get started and how this might be accomplished. 

7.Maintenance – How will updates and enhancements to the EZ-ATS system be made? What will the vendor be responsible for and what should MTC address?