www.ecao.org 26 A complete taxonomy project can take from six months to a year, depending on the volume of files, how the work is paced and complexity of IT infrastructure. Taxonomies are doable and make a real difference: •  Reduction in file server space, up to 30 per cent; •  Reduced backup time; •  Reduced IT maintenance effort, e.g., network access is easier to manage; •  Reduced staff training and orientation; •  Reduced search time; •  Reduced risk, in the event of legal or regulatory discovery; •  Enhanced privacy and security. A 30-person business unit can see more than 1,500 hours a year in productivity improvement. (UK National Archives) E&C industry spotlight on technology solutions Streamlining internal business processes and information flows set the stage for these technology solutions which are gaining momentum in the E&C industry: •  Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions: providing real-time, comprehensive views of projects; •  Design management: updating and collaborating on blueprints and other project documents, often from remote locations; •  Document and contract management: updating and exchanging information about customer contracts and payments (McKinsey & Company). Getting your ducks in a row by establishing a solid foundation with taxonomy will pay off in noticeable ways. •  Together via a series of workshops, make decisions about a new folder structure, a set of standard terms and retention schedules. Employees should develop their own ability to recognize a good taxonomy versus a poor one, using a simple checklist; •  Plan the changes and communications (Change is disruptive – there is a right time and amount of communication); •  Celebrate successful results; •  Incorporate the taxonomy and policies into the new hire orientation process; •  Monitor and adjust. If a consultant claims they can produce a taxonomy ready to install with little input from actual users, the taxonomy will fail. It’s not something you buy, but rather a new way of doing things that requires user engagement and ongoing maintenance. “But we’re a small shop, we have limited resources” A small business unit of 20 or 30 people will partake in a few workshop sessions over 10 or 12 weeks to plan and prepare. The actual file changes take two to three days per team or business area. And this should be followed up with education and support. BUSINESS It is stressful (and risky) to be looking for the right customer quote while a project manager is away on vacation and the customer is waiting on the phone. We often heard words like “hell” and “nightmare” to describe this scenario that plays out in development shops all over Canada. W.A. Electric Controls Ltd. 280 Perry St., Peterborough, ON, K9J 2J4 Phone: (705) 742-2688 • Fax: (705) 742-1514 Email: waec@waelectric.ca Website: www.waelectric.ca Do You Recognize These CGE MCC Model Numbers? CR7092C CR2000 We Do! We Supply CSA Approved FACTORY ORIGINAL: • Renewal Parts • Replacement Plug-in Units • Retrofits • Add-on Sections • New MCC Installations