Prospero Direct was the direct home and motor insurance subsidiary of Provincial Insurance of the UK.  Prospero was acquired and converted into AXA Direct, which is now part of Norwich Union, in the CGNU Group.

Project Summary

Interim Director of Information Technology responsible for planning, modification, and implementation of a new direct insurance system for property and automobile insurance.

Background

Having contracted to a UK IT services company for a Danish-sourced software package to support the company operations, there were expected to be a shopping list of modifications to adapt the package to the UK market and Prospero’s requirements. Prospero did not have the staffing or expertise to oversee the modification, testing and implementation of the system.

Requirement

A Project Director to ensure the tight schedules would be met, and the required level of quality reached while not overrunning the budget.

Project After Discovery

Negotiations with the software supplier, hardware vendors and property management required an individual that would represent Prospero with integrity to keep the project on track and leading to a successful implementation.

Approach

Developed functional description and specification of changes.  Negotiated scope, price and schedule of changes with software supplier.  Managed functional and acceptance testing that:

• Defined testing requirements, approach and plans. Developed test cases, scripts and data and required results.
• Managed a team of consultants and contractors in functional testing of base system and then each modification, plus regression testing.
• Developed acceptance testing criteria and approach.
• Managed a team of Prospero staff (Users) in developing acceptance testing cases , scripts and expected results.
• Managed the acceptance test until results reached the pre-determined level of acceptance.

Planned and managed system implementation.