Pre-conference symposium outlines keys to PACS project management
George H. Bowers, MBA, chair of the Imaging Informatics Subcommittee of the SIIM Education Committee, on Wednesday kicked off the day-long, pre-conference symposium at SIIM 2007 in Providence, R.I., with “Introduction to the Imaging Information Procurement and Project Management.” With session goals outlined, Bowers described the role of the imaging informatics professional (IIP).
In talking about procurement and project management, noted “PACS is most successful when it supports the overall business objectives of the organization.” He went on to describe strategic vision, PACS readiness, PACS economics, selecting a PACS vendor, and PACS procurement.
“Choose wisely,” he said. To do so, he presented a way to organize the selection process from forming a committee, defining requirements, requests for proposals, analyzing vendor responses, to contract negotiations. “If it is not in the contract, it doesn’t exist,” said Bowers. “Don’t sign the contract until the implementation plan is in it.”
He concluded with a list of project management success factors that included: a work plan with milestones; clearly assigned tasks with deadlines; mechanism for frequent communication; problem resolution processes; communication plan; and training plan.
In talking about procurement and project management, noted “PACS is most successful when it supports the overall business objectives of the organization.” He went on to describe strategic vision, PACS readiness, PACS economics, selecting a PACS vendor, and PACS procurement.
“Choose wisely,” he said. To do so, he presented a way to organize the selection process from forming a committee, defining requirements, requests for proposals, analyzing vendor responses, to contract negotiations. “If it is not in the contract, it doesn’t exist,” said Bowers. “Don’t sign the contract until the implementation plan is in it.”
He concluded with a list of project management success factors that included: a work plan with milestones; clearly assigned tasks with deadlines; mechanism for frequent communication; problem resolution processes; communication plan; and training plan.