Accounting Best Practices, Fifth Edition

Timing of Best Practices

The timing of a best practice implementation, the time it takes to complete it, and the pacing of installations have a major impact on the likelihood of success.

The timing of an implementation project is critical. For example, an installation that comes at the same time as a major deliverable in another area will receive scant attention from the person who is most responsible for using the best practice, since it takes a distant second place to the deliverable. Also, any project that comes on the heels of a disastrous implementation will not be expected to succeed, though this problem can be overcome by targeting a quick and easy project that results in a rapid success—and that overcomes the stigma of the earlier failure. Further, proper implementation timing must take into account other project implementations going on elsewhere in the company or even in the same department, so there is no conflict over project resources. Only by carefully considering these issues prior to scheduling a project will a best practice implementation not be impacted by timing issues.

In addition to timing, the time required to complete a project is of major importance. A quick project brings with it the aura of success, a reputation for completion, and a much better chance of being allowed to take on a more difficult and expensive project. Alternatively, a project that impacts lots of departments or people, or that involves the liberal application of cutting-edge technology, ...