Analysis
pre-implementation
Analysis
Pre-implementation analysis is the process of assessing and examining project requirements and objectives (including those related to e-commerce) before the project actually begins. It's a crucial step in the implementation process, helping to understand whether the project is realistic and feasible, and what steps need to be taken to minimize risks and ensure project success. As a result, pre-implementation analysis helps prevent potential problems, improve project performance, and increase the chances of success.
Elements of pre-implementation analysis
Pre-implementation analysis, a key element of the project, consists of several key components. The elements of pre-implementation analysis include:
01
Brief and agenda sent before the workshop meeting
02
Workshops (depending on the event, it may be a meeting lasting several or several hours, spread over two days)
03
Own analysis performed by the Business Analyst based on information collected during the workshops
04
Preparation of the analysis report
05
Discussing the report with the client
06
Introducing any changes based on a meeting with the client
07
Reviewing the report with the client
Planning a strategy for implementing an online store or migrating from one engine to another is crucial to ensuring that we've taken care of all the elements necessary for a smooth and consistent implementation process. Assessing the needs and challenges associated with a given project is also one of the elements of the pre-implementation analysis, which is discussed during the workshop.
The pre-implementation analysis tools used may vary depending on the specifics and scope of the project, but include a brief shared with the client's team members, a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis, a SOAR (Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, Results) analysis, and mind maps. These pre-implementation analysis tools allow for a comprehensive analysis and a comprehensive look at the project from multiple perspectives.
Benefits of using pre-implementation analysis
The benefits of using a pre-implementation analysis apply to both parties: the client and the agency responsible for implementation. Why is a pre-implementation analysis so important? It allows for an understanding of the project's goals and expectations – both as a way for the client to systematize all key project issues, and as a way for the project's implementers to understand the pre-implementation analysis report.
We can also discuss the relationship between pre-implementation analysis and IT project success. Substantive analysis in eCommerce/IT projects enhances understanding of the expectations placed on, for example, a new shopping platform, allowing for planning implementation elements that will actually impact individual components of the new online store in line with the client's vision.
When it comes to pre-implementation analysis, as well as e-commerce consulting, assessing needs and challenges remains a crucial element. By identifying the challenges we may face in the project, we can anticipate certain aspects in advance and prepare accordingly. For example, through pre-implementation analysis, we may discover that the implementation of a given application will conflict with another equally important application responsible for upselling. By identifying this possible scenario during the analysis, the Analyst is able to select a starting solution that is consistent with existing e-commerce elements.
Understanding the project's goals and expectations is also one of the benefits of pre-implementation analysis. A clearly defined vision of what the client wants to achieve in a given project and what they are striving for allows for strategic planning that takes all these elements into account, but also allows for a realistic determination of which elements, for example, will not be feasible. Why is pre-implementation analysis so important? Because in such a situation, we have the space to propose a different solution that will ultimately meet the client's specific need.
E-commerce consulting and pre-implementation analysis also allow for resource assessment (in terms of people, finances, time, technology).
What does the collaboration process look like?
The pre-implementation analysis process is described in this article, but a key point to remember is that the success of the pre-implementation analysis depends largely on the Business Analyst. When analyzing a Shopify or Shopify Plus store implementation, the Analyst must have extensive experience with the platform, knowledge of its operation, processes, structure, integrations, and applications. During pre-implementation analysis of eCommerce projects, it's also crucial to have industry knowledge of key systems (including ERP, PIM, CRM, and CMS).
When an Analyst has such knowledge and project experience, we can be sure that the report he prepares will contain all the elements key to implementation.
What does the collaboration process look like? The entire process naturally begins with the signing of a contract. Once the formalities are settled, the Analyst submits the workshop plan and agenda at least one week in advance and contacts the client to gather key information that will allow them to fully prepare for the workshop meeting, which is therefore the second step and part of the pre-implementation analysis. The third step is the Analyst's own analysis. Based on the information obtained during the workshops, the Analyst begins an internal analysis, systematizing all data and examining the feasibility of the discussed assumptions. Further follow-up meetings may be needed during the analysis. Report development is the fourth step. After the Analyst's own analysis, they prepare a report, which includes a comprehensive summary of the workshop findings, the results of their own analysis, implementation documentation, along with the project plan (divided into stages), a timeline, and a cost estimate. This is then discussed with the client during a meeting. If the client has any comments, questions, or observations, the Analyst implements changes after additional analysis and finally discusses the report.
Pre-implementation analysis is a key element of the project - before starting the implementation of an online store or migration, it should be treated as an essential element of the eCommerce project.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pre-implementation Analysis at Noto Agency
What is pre-implementation analysis in eCommerce projects?
Pre-implementation analysis in eCommerce projects is the first, crucial stage of the project, on the basis of which all information about the implementation of a new store or migration to Shopify / Shopify Plus is systematized.
What business areas does a pre-implementation analysis cover?
During the pre-implementation analysis, the Business Analyst examines all key elements, including:
- environment architecture
- integrations, external systems, and applications
- eCommerce processes
- connection to analytical accounts
- approach to marketing activities and their potential impact on system usage (e.g., for marketing automation)
- approach to product management (determining the single source of truth for products)
- approach to collecting and storing acquired email addresses and phone numbers
- standard and custom functionalities in the store expected by the client
In the case of migration, additional analysis includes the current integration and data storage structure, processes occurring in the store, and systems used (including those natively connected to the current solution and dedicated ones).
How do we identify system integrations during project analysis?
We can divide the response into two parts. The first concerns project analysis in the case of migration from another system to Shopify / Shopify Plus. Here, we analyze the client's current integrations and determine which ones can be replicated by default on Shopify, and which will require the use of applications, middleware, or dedicated solutions. At this stage, we also identify new client needs that will impact potential integrations with additional systems.
The second part concerns projects where the store is built from scratch. In these cases, based on the client's needs and our experience, we recommend specific solutions that will match the scope indicated by the client. At this stage, we also share our knowledge, and if we determine that a system or tool other than the one suggested by the client would be more suitable, we explain our reasoning, argue our case, and present an alternative integration that would be a better solution for specific reasons.
How does a pre-implementation analysis help to reduce implementation risk?
Thanks to the pre-implementation analysis at an early stage, we are able to define the threats and risks associated with the implementation. We determine which elements will be possible to implement on Shopify or Shopify Plus and clearly indicate what limitations we must take into account and which components of the store, expected by the client, due to Shopify's limitations (it should be remembered that this is a SaaS) we will not be able to execute. Having this knowledge already during the pre-implementation analysis, the client is able to consciously decide whether they accept these limitations, or whether these are such crucial elements that Shopify unfortunately does not meet their expectations.
How do we prepare functional documentation for an eCommerce project?
The report contains the findings from workshop and analytical meetings, customer business priorities, a complete list of functionalities, the scope of integration and the architecture of inter-system interactions, the implementation plan, schedule, and duration, all compiled into a single file.
The pre-implementation analysis report also includes a specific list of integrations with external systems and applications from the Shopify App Store.
How does pre-implementation analysis affect the implementation timeline and cost?
One of the components of the pre-implementation analysis report is the developed implementation schedule and cost estimate, so it is thanks to a thorough analysis of the client's environment, needs and requirements for eCommerce that a full estimation and implementation timeline are prepared.
What does collaboration with the client's team look like during pre-implementation analysis?
We divide the pre-implementation analysis into several stages, and it is during the first stage that the involvement of the client's team is crucial. During this stage, we conduct analytical meetings to gather all necessary information and learn as much as possible about the system's structure. Before the meetings, we prepare an agenda so that the team can prepare for the meetings and have the knowledge that will be crucial for the analyst during their subsequent independent work. While preparing the report, the analyst may also direct supplementary questions to the team or request additional meetings – all to have a complete picture of the enterprise.
With a ready report, the analyst discusses it with the client's team and presents the implementation plan. If there are comments on the report, and for example, an element of the architecture needs to be changed for specific reasons, the analyst verifies the feasibility, modifies the report, and discusses it again with the client, focusing on the changed element and indicating what that change will entail.
What are the most common problems we identify during eCommerce project analysis?
Among the most common problems we identify during e-commerce project analysis are:
- inability to integrate with a given system exactly to the extent currently available to the client,
- very advanced discount logic that cannot be mapped 1:1 in Shopify.
In which projects do we recommend conducting a pre-implementation analysis?
We recommend a pre-implementation analysis, for example, for migrations from other engines to Shopify, to diagnose all key elements during store transfer; projects with multiple integrations and complex data flow structures; and implementations from scratch in several markets.
Are you interested in implementing a Shopify store?
We're happy to answer any questions you may have.
Please contact us.
