If you’re looking for a career with plenty of opportunities to make an impact, consider becoming an implementation specialist. Implementation specialists are responsible for ensuring that new software or hardware is successfully integrated into the company’s system. This can be a challenging and rewarding role, and there are many ways to become an implementation specialist. Here’s what you need to know about the job and how to get started on your path to becoming one.
1. What is An Implementation Specialist?
You may have heard the term “implementation specialist” before, but you may not fully understand what an implementation specialist is. An implementation specialist (also referred to as a product implementation consultant) is involved in the planning and execution of changes needed to integrate or implement business process software into an organization. They work closely with project managers and end-users to ensure the success of the implementation by making sure that both parties are aware of what is expected and how it can be successfully achieved.
An implementation specialist may be involved in multiple implementations at any given time, depending on company needs. This role focuses on grasping an understanding of a business process software’s functionalities as well as understanding the needs of the company and the end-user. The implementation specialist works together with project managers and other stakeholders to plan and execute a successful implementation of the business process software.
2. What does An Implementation Do?
An implementation specialist is primarily involved in the planning and execution of changes needed to integrate or implement business process software into an organization. The goal of the implementation specialist is to ease this transition, making it as smooth as possible for all parties involved.
An implementation specialist will typically work with project managers and end-users throughout the transition period. They are also responsible for ensuring that project managers and business process software developers are kept up to date on the progress of the implementation.
In addition, they must ensure that all stakeholders are aware of what is expected and how it can be successfully achieved.
The implementation specialist acts as a liaison between the project managers, business process software developers, and end-users during a transition or implementation process to make sure everyone involved understands the purpose behind the changes. They also track down any problems with the change and work to find a solution.
3. What Skills and Education Do I Need?
Individuals looking to become an implementation specialists should possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as good communication and interpersonal abilities. They must also be able to pick up new software very quickly in order to ease transitions for those involved. This is not typically a role that requires any formal education or training.
Typically, companies hire individuals with previous (and relevant) experience working in project management, consulting, or implementation-related roles. Although it is possible to learn the skills required to become an implementation specialist on the job, many employers will prefer candidates who already have experience in these fields.
4. How Can I Get Experience if I’m Just Starting Out?
If you are interested in becoming an implementation specialist but lack experience, there are still many ways to get your foot in the door. One option is to find a temporary employment agency that specializes in finding placement opportunities for recent graduates. Another option is to seek out an internship or volunteer position at a company where you may be able to gain the necessary experience in a more informal setting.
Finally, many colleges and universities offer internship opportunities to students. If you are a recent college graduate looking for your first job out of school, this may be the ideal way to get started.
5. What is it Like Day-to-Day?
An implementation specialist will typically work in an office environment, spending the majority of their time onsite with clients and interacting directly with project managers and end-users. They must have excellent communication skills to explain, in detail, the changes that are taking place and what is expected of all parties involved.
Implementation specialists must be able to quickly grasp an understanding of the business process software’s functionalities as well as understand the needs of the company and end-user. They typically work with project managers and other stakeholders to plan and successfully execute a transition or implementation.
6. What does An Implementation Specialist Earn?
An implementation specialist may earn slightly less than a business process software developer, with average salaries ranging from $53,580 to $62,970 per year. Like other technology-related positions, the cost of living in metropolitan areas is significantly higher than in smaller towns or rural locations. For example, the average salary for an implementation specialist in New York City is $60,340, while the same position in Buffalo will pay around $44,740.
The salary for an implementation specialist varies based on factors such as years of experience and geographic location. The average salary for an implementation specialist is $52,000-$75,000 per year.
7. Job Outlook
The implementation specialist profession is projected to grow by 22% between 2012 and 2022, which is much faster than average. This growth can largely be attributed to the increased use of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software systems in business processes. As businesses continue to switch to web-based software, they are likely to need specialists who are familiar with these systems to help them transition smoothly.
8. How Can I Advance My Career?
Due to a large number of job openings and projected growth of the profession, many employers will also look for individuals who have a master’s degree in a relevant field. This advanced degree may allow you to move into project management or consulting roles, where experience with client relations and an understanding of business processes can be put to good use.
9. What are the Benefits of Being An Implementation Specialist?
Some of the benefits of being an implementation specialist are:
– Having a higher hourly rate than other QA positions
– Focus on one product, and therefore one industry or development methodology, so you become an expert in that space.
– You get to work with talented people who often have strong opinions about what makes the best implementation of the product. This creates opportunities for personal growth as well as working collaboratively.
– You create a strong link between business needs and technical reality, bridging the gap between them.
– You have a significant role in ensuring that what is being suggested by all stakeholders does not cause any technical problems later down the line. This helps you become more influential, which can lead to better opportunities for future jobs.
– You become a technical expert in the product you are implementing.
– Being an implementation specialist can lead to opportunities for advancement, such as being able to advance from being an implementation specialist into a testing manager, where you could then oversee not just one product but several products that have been implemented by different teams.
10. Is Being An Implementation Specialist Hard?
An implementation specialist is someone who has a deep understanding of how an application works and can take that knowledge into an organization where they instruct workers on how to use software specific to their business needs. An experienced implementation specialist will have a strong understanding of the methodology used to design and implement different software for a variety of tasks, as well as how to deal with any potential issues that may arise during installation.
It is obviously not easy. Implementation specialist requires a great deal of knowledge and experience with the procedures used before installation can occur. It also requires strong problem-solving skills, so if something goes wrong during the implementation, you have to be able to quickly identify what needs to be done in order to fix it in the least impactful way possible. If you are not able to do this, it could lead to delays in implementation or even the failure of the installation.
11. What Type of Companies Hires Implementation Specialists?
There are many kinds of organizations that hire implementation specialists. Some examples include hospitals, banks, retail stores, insurance agencies, and colleges.
Some of the top recruiting companies for an implementation specialist:
- Intuit
- Xerox
- Kronos Inc.
- General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. (GDIT)
- Atos
- Sutherland Global Services (SGS) Research in Motion/Blackberry Corporation
- TriZetto Corporation
- USAA (a financial services provider for the U.S. military and their families)
- Lincoln Financial Group.
Many implementation specialists also have the opportunity to work for mid-size or larger companies, where they can advance into project management roles. While it may be harder to find a job in smaller companies, the pay tends to be better.
12. Best Colleges to Study to Become An Implementation Specialist
Some of the colleges that have programs for an implementation specialist are:
Fitchburg State University, Master of Science in Management Information Systems. This program focuses on building skills in managing projects and teams from a technical perspective. This includes training students to understand how technology works within organizations and how it can be used to help solve business problems. In addition, students learn how to implement and configure different types of software to meet organizational goals.
University of Phoenix-Main Campus. The Master of Science in Information Systems: Project Management allows students to build skills in areas such as business analysis, information technology, and project management. Students will gain hands-on experience working with real-world business applications and can choose to specialize in technology management, e-commerce, and business intelligence.
The University of Leicester. The University of Leicester offers a Master’s degree in Information Systems and Operations Management, which is designed to prepare students for IT and information systems operations roles. It includes the following modules: Managing Operational Systems; Business Computing; Data Communications and Networks; Application Development; Project Management.
University of Maryland University College. The Master of Science in Systems Management is a practical IT degree that teaches students the skills they need to become successful implementation specialists, with a particular focus on project management, e-business, and information security.
Conclusion
The implementation specialist career path can be rewarding, both financially and emotionally. It can also be challenging, as it requires a great deal of knowledge and skill in order to be successful. If you are thinking about embarking on this career journey, make sure that you do your research and get the appropriate training. With the right skill set and attitude, you will find that the sky is the limit when it comes to your potential earnings and job satisfaction. Are you ready to start down the road to becoming an implementation specialist?
