Whenever I start on a big home clean up or renovation project, I like to take a "before" picture, so that I can see the progress that was made when the project is complete. (Ironically, even though I'm the son of an award-winning amateur photographer, I often forget to take pictures!)

When starting any major technology project (e.g., a new AMS) I recommend taking a "before" picture, so that when you complete the project, you can easily see the progress you've made (and why you went through so much hell to get there!).

So what does a "before" picture look like for an AMS project? Here are some ideas:

• the steps required for new members to join or existing members to renew
• the steps required for registering for an event
• how difficult it was to pay an invoice
• how difficult it was to update data in the system

You get the idea. The "before" picture should be a list of your biggest pain points of the existing system. When you're done with the project, you can look at your "before" picture and easily see the improvements you've made.

Interestingly, in my experience, because some projects take so long and can be so difficult, staff often "forgets" what life was like in the before-times. That "before" picture can help remind them.