A Multi-Channel Journey - I - Proteins or Carbs
I currently consult at a client who are on the verge of going live with a multi channel solution. Through a series of posts I will walk through the various stages of the program.
The title of this post emanates from some recent attempts of "a friend" to figure out the best dieting strategies to reduce weight. Proteins are primarily the building blocks while Carbs provide energy. Some diets focus on Proteins and some on Carbs and some on multiple combinations of these two. This entry is about the solution design phase were we continuously grappled with the protein-carb question.
Protein is the metaphor for the strategic intent while Carbs relate to the tactical considerations to keep moving. How did we decide?
A bit of a background first - The solution is a order management solution that aims to bring in multi channel fulfillment to an enterprise that primarily uses just a warehouse for fulfillment. The implementation uses a best-of-breed order management solution as its core component.
The key consideration was very clear - get the maximum business value with the least risk in the fastest possible time. 
(simple isn't it? - mixed well balanced diet)
During solution design the business and IT teams decided on a simple set of rules:
1. We don't customize unless it impacts our ability to service our customers.
2. We modify our requirements and processes to align with industry best practices unless it affects our ability to do business the way our company's vision entails.
The two rules above encapsulate a brilliant balance between proteins and carbs. These balance the considerations of IT maintainability and ability to deliver within time with the business' consideration to service customers. In one swoop it makes the business own IT's interests and makes IT own the business' vision.
This set out the vision for the program; solution design was tough but both business and IT were aligned with the tenets above. However, there were significant challenges as we delved into the IT solution...
