Deployment Team

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If the assessment process indicates that a WLAN is feasible, the next step is to form a deployment team. A deployment team considers the company's needs, looks at wireless options, assesses barriers, determines integration issues, and more. The team must effectively understand a WLAN's functionality and usability, as well as deployment management. It can then write a deployment strategy, and afterward methodically maintain a project management plan to which all stakeholders have access.

The size of the deployment team is dependent upon the size of the WLAN. For a small WLAN, the team may consist of one person, while an enterprise WLAN team could consist of 35 people or even more. Whatever the number, the team must provide all of the core competencies needed to deploy the WLAN. This includes not only IT skills, but also radio frequency (RF) expertise, a good background in finance (for ROI), project management experience (if a large WLAN is being deployed), end-user training experience, and more. The team should also have at least one member from every department affected by the WLAN's deployment, along with a member of the organization's executive staff.

Many companies struggle to determine the best way to staff new projects. This is especially difficult when technical skills simply are not available within the organization, when the project needs them. Using outside professionals can close that gap and allow the WLAN project to move forward.

To overcome staff deficiencies, bring in outside experts who understand site surveys, wireless specifications, access point infrastructure, network configuration and integration, device deployment, data traffic, and wireless security. Many of these experts have the experience, training, and access to the newest technology, so they can intelligently discuss what is right for the specific needs of your organization.

Project Manager

If the WLAN project encompasses campus coverage, or involves a full-scale WLAN deployment for a large organization, consider using a professional project manager who can assist in managing the organization's IT resources, and/or oversee the work of outsourced contractors and vendors. These professionals are experienced in the design, implementation, and management of system solutions and rollouts.

The consulting project manager's first job is to gain a thorough understanding of the goals and objectives of the WLAN project. Once the goals are understood, the project manager prepares a Statement of Work (SOW) that clearly documents objectives, work scope, expectations, assumptions, deliverables, cost, schedule and schedule of payment, and outlines the acceptance criteria of the job that is to be completed. A project manager then begins a detailed analysis to better understand potential trouble spots.

An outside project manager also can offer objectivity, and can sometimes influence decision-making parties or resolve conflicts without in-house political ramifications. In addition, an outside project manager handles one project at a time without additional daily responsibilities. This helps the WLAN deployment to quickly move forward.

Finally, because outside project managers typically have a wealth of experience, they should avoid easily overlooked pitfalls and mistakes.

Outsourcing

Too often, because of budget constraints, internal IT staff is expected to research, manage, configure, and install a new wireless system while still handling daily responsibilities. Relying on current employees who don't have the proper skills or enough time can increase the risk that the WLAN project will take longer and not meet the quality standards expected. Not only is there a risk of shattering IT budgets, but also of staff burnout and costly turnovers. Professional service firms or large vendor can help with your wireless strategy and WLAN deployment. Although each firm will have its own unique focus, when selectively used, these firms can help an organization move a wireless project from conception through deployment and beyond.

It's up to the WLAN project manager to decide what balance of services is right for the project, staff, and budget. For example, you may want to outsource the site survey and hardware implementation, but handle the post-deployment tasks in-house.

While there are many reasons that businesses decide not to use outside services, especially now with the short-term focus on decreasing IT expenditures, this environment can make it difficult for IT departments to meet business demands while fulfilling critical IT initiatives. When the deployment team contracts with a professional services firm for some or all of its WLAN needs, they buy peace of mind from somebody that understands the wireless environment. Reputable vendors and professional services firms stand behind their services, and will work with a deployment team until the WLAN is operating to the team's specifications. Furthermore, outside service professionals provide an objective view to the project, as well as becoming onsite educators for IT management.

Whether in-house or outsourced, as a member of the deployment team, the project manager ensures the project stays within budget, on schedule, and maintains acceptable performance and specification criteria. He or she gives consistency to a project by providing a single point of contact. And after the deployment is complete, the project manager reviews the project with the stakeholders.

The Deployment Plan

Once the deployment team is on-board, it's time to create the deployment plan. This document outlines the scope of the WLAN project, its objectives, the work breakdown structure, roles and responsibilities, detailed task schedule, budget information, risks and issues, change control information, and all communications between the deployment team and/or project manager and the stakeholders. Next step-technology and hardware selection.

The key to making the right technology decisions, as well as a smooth deployment, is to have a strong strategy spelled out in a detailed plan before deployment begins. Preparation is vital to the build-out phase because wireless products must, by design, touch many different parts of an organization's environment. Strict attention to detail and unfailing diligence offers the best chance for success.

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