An AM/FM Implementation experience: We’re done!

Abstract
As of April ls’, 1998, Union Gas has filly implemented it’s AM/FM system across the eight operating divisions of the company. The author will share the Union Gas experience over the past eight years from the initial Feasibility and Scope Phase of the project through to it’s Implementation phase. This paper will focus on the implementation issues that were critical to the success of this large multi-year project. The areas of focus will include defining the Feasibility and Scope of the project, Prototyping and Developing the Application, Running a Pilot, Pre-Implementation (Post Pilot Phase) and finally a phased Implementation. While describing the above, the author will share and highlight those areas that surprised them, what they learned, and will also provide recommendations of those things that were critical to success. While sharing the experience, the author will also share some key themes which were of paramount importance and key to the success of their project, such as the importance of remaining on schedule, data quality, client involvement and a team approach that includes all of the project participants right from the start.

Company Statistics
Union Gas is a major Ontario natural gas utility which provides energy delivery and related services to over 755,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in southwestern Ontario (approximately 35,000 sq. kilometers) and also provides gas storage and transportation services for other utilities and energy companies in central Canada and the northeast U.S. Union Gas operates approximately 24,000 kilometers of pipeline which moved in excess of 27 billion cubic meters of gas in 1996 for revenues in excess of $1.3 billion.

Union Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Westcoast Energy Inc., a leader in the North American natural gas industry. Head-quartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Westcoast’s interests include gas pipelines, processing, storage, distribution, power generation and gas services businesses. In 1996, Westcoast had assets of $9.6 billion with revenues of $4.9 billion.

Background
As of Aptil is', 1998, Union Gwhassuccessfilly implemented it's``fo~dation'' AM/FM project. Although this implementation arguably marks the end of a significant project effort, it also marks the beginning of a new strategic information system for Union Gas. This massive multi-year project was completed not only on-time but within budget, something that is not as common as it probably should be within large corporations. The project team feel that there were many contributing factors that led to this success, and this paper will attempt to point them out through the chronicle of events that took place over the past 10 years.