Project Review Board

We have a Project Review Board who are our conscience and our guides. They also make the really difficult decisions that might require funding or a strategic change of direction.

This week they will be reviewing our status.

It's a difficult time when things can appear worse than they actually are. The project scope is still hazy which is reasonable given that we are still collecting business requirements, but it means that when time and money are estimated it makes sense to assume the worst. This means that cost and time estimates can look a little frightening. This is OK providing we understand that the estimates are 'worst case scenario' and things will improve.

It's also a difficult time because everyone is enthusiastic about what is possible. The air is full of ideas and creative thought. If we did everything on everybody's wish list we'd still be working on the project in 2020. But we don't want to disregard all of these things out of hand just because they might cost a bit more, or take a bit more time.

This is a time to collect all of the good stuff in preparation for the analysis that determines the what's in and what's out. That's where some of the really tough decisions will have to be made.

Can you bear the excitement?

We've had a flurry of late submissions to the competition to name the new NWP tool.

If you want to submit a name I won't be consolidating and shortlisting until Monday or Tuesday of next week so you could probably squeeze a few extra submissions in.

Suggestions will be posted here next week. Watch this space.

Find out more

There's going to be a nice little get together of the Marketing Managers in March. I think someone called Mickey is invited. Anyway this is a great opportunity for us to communicate our thoughts on the new system, which will definitely not be called Firefly. :)

The future is here

A European Communications strategy meeting has helped us with the direction for the new site.

For those of you who haven't seen the Book of Surprises - you need to take five minutes to absorb it.

Google

I met with Google and we had a lot to talk about, mainly questions, and mainly questions asked by me.

There was an interesting discussion about a Saturn promotion using Google Maps.

We discussed a Google search product that could be integrated into the new website to improve in site search. This is one of a few alternatives to improve search functionality.

Consumer Generated Content was mentioned because we want to know how other companies moderate this material.

There is Google Analytics, Google Base, Google Video, YouTube etc.

Additionally Google have conducted research among car buyers. No real revelations but research is always interesting.

Google really are taking over the world and this blog is only available to you because of the mighty Google.

Features and Specs

One thing that research says again and again is that Features &Specs is an area that we need to improve. We have made a half hearted attempt last year and this but frankly it has barely moved the needle and, it simply isn't good enough.

I think we would be failing abysmally if we launched with carry over functionality here.

Fortunately, we don't have to. Burrows have suggested a data warehouse solution that could feed the new Content Management Tool (whatever it is called). The timing is compatible and the budget is something I'll endevour to find.

It doesn't matter what the project is, there's never enough time or money. One thing I try to keep in mind is something someone once said "Lack of money has never got in the way of a good idea."

Configurator

We had a couple of meetings on Configurator. The first challenge was to understand how Configurator works. There are a scary number of systems involved in producing the class leading toy that we perhaps take for granted.

We discovered that we can consider playing around with the tool and integrating the application on more than just a surface level. We're still not sure whether that's what we want to do but it is important for us to understand the possibilities.

It's also worth remembering that what we have is liked by those who use it and I am very aware of the phrase "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". However there could be a stunning and irresistable solution that makes it all worthwhile - it's too early to say.

We also determined which bits of the Configurator puzzle can be available for change, and which cannot.