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Sa-Dhan Patrika

Volume 7,

Issue 1, September 2006

to the team members and their

manager also lays out the process

access right depending on the role

of automation and provides

they play in the institution. There

training for smooth transition from

are other different roles that

a manual system to an automated

emerge which are often ignored

one.

but become the cause of failure.

3.

Agile Methods of Application

5.

E-readiness for Automation

Development

E-readiness is often defined in terms

There are agile methods in

of country and state -- whether a

response to the dynamic nature of

country is ready for IT infrastructure

operating processes. In case of

and IT-driven growth or not. The

small MFIs where the process is not

same term can be used in the

clear in the beginning and it starts

context of MFIs; whether an mFI has

evolving while automation also

an  IT  policy,  standardised

gets rolling, agile methods like

processes and knows what it wants

feature-driven development (FDD)

It also means that

to automate. It also requires

work well. After system study, a

an MFI is ready to

commitment for giving time for

document of requirement is

deploy additional

automation. It also means that an

prepared in terms of features. One

staff for the

MFI is ready to deploy additional

feature is picked at a time and

automation.

staff for the automation.

completed and then rolled out.

Only when one feature is fully rolled

out, the second feature gets

Conclusion

developed and so on.

IT application, in case of MFIs, is like a

4.

Recognising the New Process

kidney transplant that is inevitable if one

wants a longer life. However, if the rest

of the body rejects the new organ the

It is important to understand that

results can be disastrous and can even

the new process that emerges from

lead to death. What is required is

the automation process needs to

preparedness and willingness on the

be taken care of. For example,

part of an institution to go through the

after automation, there is need for

transplant, however, painful the process

staff  who will play the role of

may be. It also calls for a patient doctor

administrator, provide passwords

who is willing to not only provide a new

organ but also to hold your hand even

after the transplant and render all post-

operative care till the patient is fit. Thus,

IT solutions in the context of MFIs can be

a key driver whenever vendor and

institution are willing, motivated, and

committed to the cause of automation.

Mr. Subodh Kumar Gupta

Mr. Subodh Kumar Gupta is the Managing Director, Safal Solutions, Pvt. Ltd.,

Secunderabad