WSR Consulting Group, LLC
Celebrating 20 Years as Consultants/Expert Witnesses in IT & Software Project Failure

On this webpage we present:

Our Three Practice Areas Software Project Failure Expert Witnesses Information Technology (IT) Consultants Software Intellectual Property (IP) Expert Witnesses About WSRcg & Its Consultants and Expert Witnesses Our Practice Philosophy Upcoming Events Definitions of Terms For More Related Information

Our Three Practice Areas

Each of our experts has between 25-35 years of relevant Information Technology (IT) experience. WSR Consulting Group, LLC (“WSRcg”) is engaged by clients and counsel in three related, but distinct, capacities shown below. WSRcg expert witnesses have been engaged in litigation matters in North America, Asia and Europe.

1. Software Project Failure Expert Witnesses

As Software Project Failure Expert Witnesses, WSRcg professionals work in two IT arenas.

Large-scale systems failures:

In this practice area, our expert witnesses work to uncover, analyze and opine on the root causes of failure of systems already in production. As required, we may investigate and review, among other things:

• any and all of the components and resources needed for production system success for ERP, computer and internet systems including: software, hardware and networks; people, staffing, operations, user, training, budgeting and other human resource issues; help desk and error reporting, collection, analysis, repair, test/regression testing and acceptance/approval, and distribution back into production processes; the general upgrade and maintenance regimen; the underlying quality of the architecture, design, coding, testing, and documentation of the system; the interfaces between components; the quality of the converted data,
• specialized systems and related specialized peripheral devices such as, among others: automated warehouses, smart buildings and robotics; Point of Sales (POS) systems; medical/hospital systems, COWs, medical devices; gaming systems; ticketing systems, smart and other peripheral device interfaces.

Large-systems project failures:

In this practice area, our expert witnesses work to uncover, analyze and opine on the root causes of failure of systems projects either in progress or stopped because of alleged failure. Such matters are typically characterized by large systems being built, configured, customized and/or installed for a customer, or for a general release by a software vendor.

Our areas of focus go past the critical areas of reviewing and opining on the quality of the deliverables, the suitability of the delivered integrated system and components, and the IT industry meaning of certain contract terms in the context of the dispute. Importantly, and based upon our extensive and successful experience as (1) software developers, (2) large ERP and computer systems project managers and (3) as expert witnesses in similar types of disputes, we also consider and concentrate on the “workmanlike manner” in which the ERP, software, computer or internet projects were planned, carried out and managed.

This may include a thorough review and evaluation of the:

• contract and statement of work requirements, responsibilities, scope, estimates and tasks,
• performance of roles, responsibilities and appropriate tasks by properly skilled staff,
• enforced use of appropriate project & risk management tools, methods and metrics,
• appropriate selection of, adherence to and deviations from good system development life cycle (SDLC) methodologies, industry standards and best practices, and appropriate metrics to uncover, report and escalate “real” project progress, status and issues.

Together, all of the areas listed above invariably lead to the underlying causes of why a project and the delivered system came in late, over budget, under-performing, missing requirements, of poor quality, missing stakeholder expectations etc.

Click on the following for more information:

• ERP project failure expert witnesses (SAP, Oracle, Peoplesoft, Microsoft, others),
• Software project failure expert witnesses (build, configure, test, interface, go-live),
• Computer project failure expert witnesses (hardware, software, netware, devices),
• Internet project failure expert witnesses (e-commerce, web/web2.0 systems, SaaS).

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2.Information Technology (IT) Consultant

As Information Technology (IT) Consultants, our professionals have been responsible for creating, interfacing, implementing, operating, maintaining and/or upgrading hundreds of systems in over 15 industries for companies, systems and IT departments of all sizes.

We assist clients in: turning around runaway ERP, software, computer and internet projects; assessing their long term needs; aligning their IT plans with strategic business plans; organizing and staffing their IT functions; valuing their software, intellectual capital and intellectual property (IP); and acting as the “IT conscious of the Board of Directors, among other things.

Click on the following for more information:

• “Computer crisis consulting” & software project turnarounds,
• Executive, general, and board/steering committee level IT planning, execution, operations,
• Valuing high-tech and software assets; valuing intellectual capital.

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3. As Software Intellectual Property (IP) Expert Witnesses

As Software Intellectual Property Expert Witnesses, WSRcg professionals provide expert testimony in high-tech and IT Intellectual Property (IP) matters: i.e., evaluating, analyzing the appropriate documents, testimonies and criteria for determining whether and to what degree IP has been infringed, misappropriated, or stolen.

We use special forensic tools when needed and provide forensic services (such as code comparisons, recreating “lost to erased” data, etc.) through managed sub-contractors in disputes involving: copyright infringement; trade secret misappropriation, patent infringement and idea theft.

Click on the following for more information:

• Software Intellectual Property (IP) Expert Witnessess.

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About WSRcg and Its Consultants and Expert Witnesses

Approach

As expert witnesses in failed computer, software, ERP and internet projects, we identify and render expert opinions & testimony on the “real” root causes and who/what is responsible for the alleged failures. This almost invariably involves people, project processes and industry practices -- as well as any contract or technical issues.

As IT consultants, we review products, projects, IT strategy alignment with business strategy, budgets, operations, staffing, organization, and more to identify risks and prepare recommendations to help clients achieve their targets and objectives. At times, we recommend creating less aggressive objectives.

As software IP expert witnesses we investigate and testify on claims of IP infringement and misappropriation.

System Skills

We uncover the root causes of ERP project failure, software project collapse, computer systems project breakdown, and internet/e-business system project failure through appropriate review and analysis of discovered materials, interviews, depositions, internet research, and our extensive hands-on experience with managing large scale software implementation projects and contracts. Our expert witnesses, who are excellent communicators, create understandable, straight-forward stories/narratives for the triers of fact that illuminate the pertinent facts, events, and decisions made – or not made, and the impact of each party’s actions and contributions to the disputed issues. WSRcg expert witnesses have testified on all phases of the systems development life cycle.

Essential Systems Development Life Cycle Skills (SDLC)

We believe that the best consultants and expert witnesses have very strong grounding and extensive hands-on experience in large-system: “best practices, industry standards and SDLC methodologies; project estimation & management (and related automated tools); software design & analysis; programming; software testing approaches & execution; data conversion and interfacing activities; go-live readiness assessment, and systems implementation & support.

Three of our expert witnesses have actually developed SDLC methodologies: one was used by large commercial clients/customers all over the world for many years; one was adopted by the Canadian Federal Government; and one was adopted by a major Canadian company. In addition, our professionals are well versed and experienced in virtually all kinds of IT, outsourcing, and software contracts and licenses.

Employment & Leadership Experience

Our professionals include former and current CIOs, Vice-Presidents of IT, a regional managing partner from a large international consulting firm, senior managers from the former Big-8 consulting firms; and other professionals who served as project managers, department heads, maintenance managers, programming and testing leads at large commercial/IT firms.

Platform & Industry Expertise

Our senior manager consultants and expert witnesses are experienced in a number of different system vendor platforms including: mainframe, minicomputer, and X-tiered server-based architectures; wired, wireless & broadband networks; operating systems & software architectures; programming languages; vendors and application packages; databases and data structures; and SDLC methodologies. Our industry expertise includes: manufacturing, distribution, health care, retail, Internet and e-business, Point-of-Sales (POS) systems, restaurant chains and more.

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Our Practice Philosophy

• Hire the best professionals and pay them well,
• Use WSRcg’s tested methodology for performing litigation and consulting assignments,
• Assist counsel in the discovery process wherever and whenever possible. Use our expertise in IT to request and make sure e-discovery is received in a complete, comprehensible, readable and readily useable manner.
• Request non-obvious and/or seemingly non-relevant types of “document packages/types” which, based on our first hand experience in other similar disputes, can open up the whole case to new possibilities,
• Keep counsel informed of status, next steps, issues and findings on a periodic and timely basis,
• Have a case-independent WSRcg QA Senior Manager review our work internally before progressing to the next phase of work,
• Engage the triers of fact through simple, persuasive, non-jargon-filled narratives that present what happened, why, and who is responsible as made evident by the events, agreements, project management processes, quality of deliverables, SDLC deviations, decisions made and actions taken — or not, and the impact of these on product and/or project failure or success.

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Upcoming Events

	» Latest Breaking News « October 2009: Warren S. Reid releases "The RFP Process for Successful Software and Vendor Selection" -- the 5th in his series of "7 IT Success Models". Simply put, a Request For Proposal (RFP) is a formal written document inviting suppliers to submit a proposal on a specific commodity or services. The RFP PROCESS helps leverage a company's negotiating ability and purchasing power with suppliers. It brings structure and more precision to the procurement decision and, when done correctly, flushes out risks upfront. It benefits from input from a wide range of subject matter experts – which helps ensure the chosen solution will suit the company's strategy, short/long-term business objectives, and functional, performance and maintenance requirements.   Warren S. Reid has created an RFP SUCCESS MODEL that takes you through the foundational steps, the preliminary selection, “best” candidate selection and the meeting of the minds processes, culminating with party relationaships and IT contracts that allocate risks, embrace and enforce proven SCLC methodologies, and incentivize all parties to continue to perform.   September 2009: WSRcg makes its "IT Litigation and Bad Contracts that Foster Failure" slides & companion materials available free!" Attorneys wishing to view a video of the 3.5 presentation given jointly by Warren S. Reid and Attorney Steven Brower for MCLE Credit may find it on the www.attorneycredits.com website. It outlines a "Systems Approach to IT Contracting" that, based on their own personal experiences and expertise, better serves many IT contract purposes. This approach quite thoroughly flushes out and documents the responsibilities and risks each party is willing (and able) to accept and the deliverables / deliverable quality each party will produce and approve, how to get a project back on track, and the renedies for failure to deliver. Done properly with dedicated IT Contracting Teams, this approach to IT Contracting will generally produce: (a) much better contracts, (b) stronger long term working relationships between the parties that can be very helpful if and when a disputes arise, and, (c) more understanding and control over planning, developing, and managing IT systems and project: estimates; schedules; staffing; progress awareness and reporting; functional AND performance requirements (scope creep); better testing regiments; quality assurance; project specific risks and stakeholder expectations.   WSRcg has been engaged by one of the world's largest hotel and casino companies to review their new systems efforts.   "Warren S. Reid accepts invitation to present to Canada's Deputy Ministers in a closed circuit meeting on May 22, 2009!" On May 22, 2009, Warren S. Reid, IT expert, and two hand-picked IT lawyers will present to The Government of Canada's most senior executives in the Procurement Ministry and Treasury Board [i.e., "Public Works & Government Services Canada" ( PWGSC )]. They have been asked to speak on "IT Procurement & Project Risk Management" in Ottawa. Since Warren's oldest son Alex will be getting married later that day, Warren will conference into the session. Warren will focus on 3 of his IT SUCCESS Models 1. "Riskipedia 2.0 -- Failure Factors That Fly Under the Radar: Hidden, Yet Debilitating Software Project Cripplers! This presentation discusses why, after 25 years of knowing exactly “Why Systems Fail?”["He Said ... She Said Model"] -- only 2/3 of large scale systems projects today still come in late, over budget, under-functioning or scrapped altogether? Warren explores what we likely have all missed! 2. "Requirements Elicitation:  Why So Difficult -- Still?" Requirements are nasty, difficult, changing, and unknown – if you get them wrong at the start of the project, you are in big trouble. So, one more time – but with different emphasis – how can we do a better job in this elusive, oftentimes frustrating, people-heavy area! 3. "IT Contracts: Allocating Risks Properly and Effectively!" IT contracts serve many purposes-- but they are primarily to flush out and document the responsibilities and risks each party is willing (and able) to take and the deliverables each will produce. Done properly, with contracting teams consisting of a CXO, CFO, the IT Project Champion and Project Manager, and an attorney (hopefully one with IT expertise) can generally produce much better: (a) contracts, (b) long term working relationships that can be very helpful if and when a disputes arise, an, (3) more understanding and control over managing budgets, schedules, the scope of functionality, quality assurance, project specific risks and stakeholder expectations.   “WSR Consulting Group, LLC Opens Its "Learning Center for IT Excellence" We envision and position this webspace to be a place where: the leading scholars, researchers and practitioners in IT today and in the future, can introduce new ideas, models, processes and challenges that will spark discussion, thought, disagreement and advancements in the software/systems development, implementation, management, contracting and litigation arenas of Information technology. Mr. Warren S. Reid is happy to open this new portion of WSRcg’s website with his “Four IT Success Models”. This is our ultimate reality show: "Real people! Real stories! Real trials! Real Lessons! WSR Consulting Group, LLC reports a few of our latest developments: WSR Consulting Group, LLC has been engaged by one of the world's hotel and casino companies to review their new systems efforts. Warren S. Reid, Managing Director, has been engaged as a testifying expert witness using computer forensic investigations in a death row matter. Randy Brown, Senior Manager, will be testifying in a complex HIPAA matter. Warren S. Reid and Lubomyr Chabursky, Senior Manager are working on a matter involving the fairness and accuracy of disclosures in a Prospectus for a bond offering given the status of the issuer's IT applications, organization & infrastructure. Either one, or both will be testifying experts Elyse Gura, Manager, has recently become associated with WSR Consulting Group, LLC as a Manager in IT Consulting and Project Management. We are thrilled to have her on board. Ms Gura has more than 20 years of hands-on implementation-oriented management information technology consulting, corporate IT management and Professional Services leadership experience. She has planned and executed large-scale ERP implementations, rollouts and upgrades, focusing on effective planning, communications, and risk management. She has very special expertise in Oracle ERP. Ms Gura has served as an IT Director leading upgrade stabilization, SOX compliance and package selection projects. She has built, led and/or turned around international IT Professional Services organizations for mid- to large-size software vendors and management consulting firms. ITIL V3 trained, B.A., M.B.A.

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Definitions of Terms

Below we define certain terms used on this website that otherwise have multiple meanings:

• Software failure experts and software failure expert witnesses
• ERP failure experts and ERP failure expert witnesses
• Internet failure experts and internet failure expert witnesses
• Computer failure experts and computer failure expert witnesses
• System failure experts and system failure expert witnesses

EXPERT: someone widely recognized as a reliable source of technique or skill source of whose faculty for judging or deciding rightly, justly, or wisely is accorded authority & status by peers or the public. Experts are called on to advise/consult on their respective subject, and do not always agree on particulars.

EXPERT WITNESS: a witness, who by virtue of education, training, skill, or experience is believed to have knowledge in a particular subject beyond that of the average person, sufficient that others may officially and legally rely upon witness's specialized opinion re an evidence or fact issue within scope of expertise.

SOFTWARE (ABBREV: SW): refers to computer software, or just software – general term describing a collection of computer programs, procedures & documentation that perform some tasks on a computer system. Application sw (“apps”), like excel, performs productive tasks for users; System sw, like Windows XP, interfaces with hardware to provide necessary services for apps; Middleware controls/coordinates distributed systems. Term also includes ERP sw apps as well as Internet apps. We distinguish software, ERP and Internet apps because each can bring its own distinct risks, technologies & quirks – requiring different expertise. See http://www.wsrcg.com/SoftwareFailXpert.php

ERP: Enterprise Resource Planning – an IT term referring to a hardware or software system that serves all enterprise areas, e.g., SAP, Oracle, Peoplesoft, JDEdwards, Cerner & Microsoft Dynamics. An ERP system is based on a: common database that allows business departments to store/retrieve shared information in real-time; and a modular sw design so a business can select modules they need, mix/match modules from different vendors, or add their own modules to improve business performance. See http://www.wsrcg.com/ERP-ExpertWitness.php

INTERNET OR WEB APPLICATION: an app accessed via web browser over a network (e.g., internet, intranet); also, a computer software app coded in browser-supported language (such as HTML, Java, etc.) & reliant on a common web browser to render the app executable. Common internet/web apps include webmail, online retail sales, online auctions, wikis, weblogs, and many other functions. See http://www.wsrcg.com/Internet-Experts.php

COMPUTER SYSTEM: includes the computer PLUS any additional hardware/peripheral devices; application, operating system & middleware software; PLUS the people, policies and procedures needed to successfully use, run, maintain and repair it. See http://www.wsrcg.com/Computer-Experts.php

SOFTWARE, ERP, INTERNET, COMPUTER FAILURE: in general, refers to state or condition of not meeting a desirable, intended or contractual objective or deliverable. SW failure includes failure to meet specific functional, control, or performance requirements. In worst cases, sw failures can lead to company bankruptcy or personal injury.

SOFTWARE, ERP, INTERNET AND COMPUTER PROJECT FAILURE: in general, refers to problems within a project to develop, integrate, implement or maintain software, ERP, internet or computer systems apps. Such problems can be caused by improper/poor project: methodology, plans, estimates, staffing, management, requirements, testing & acceptance procedures and more.

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For More Related Information

Click on one of the following areas for more information:

• Firm Resume (one-page listing of WSRcg’s experience and expertise)
• Credentials, Cases and Testimony for more information on our Expert Witness history
• WSRcg Consultants and Expert Witnesses for resumes and CVs of our professionals

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WSR Consulting Group, LLC specializes in the areas of: Computer Failure and Software Failure Litigation and Expert Witness Testimony . Computer Crisis & Software Project Turnaround and Information Technology Consulting . Technology & Software Intellectual Property Disputes & Misappropriation . Internet litigation. We provide computer expert witnesses, expert deposition and expert testimony. Our computer and software experts and consultants specialize in: computer system and software analysis . software project management & estimation . software project quality assurance . computer software selection . system and software requirements gathering & design . software development & coding . computer system and software testing & defect management . data base, data warehouse & file conversions . computer system and software implementation, go-live and maintenance activities . computer system and software failure analysis and root causes. These services are performed for Enterprise Resource Planning ( ERP ) systems, CRM systems, manufacturing and distribution systems and software, commercial applications, POS (Point Of Sale) systems, ticketing systems, government and military systems and software, MIS based systems and more. We have been designated and/or testified as computer failure experts, software failure experts, system failure experts, ERP failure experts, ERP system experts, software project failure experts, system development life cycle (SDLC) methodology experts, software implementation methodology experts, systems integration methodology experts, software project management experts, system valuation and software company valuation experts, and IP experts in U.S., Canadian, Asian, and European courts.

WSR Consulting Group, LLC consultants have been employed in following capacities/engagements: computer expert witness, computer software expert, computer system failure, computer software expert witness, software testing expert, software failure expert, software development expert witness, computer failure expert, software valuation expert witness, software project expert witness, software project failure litigation, project management expert witness, project management forensics expert witness, software expert witness, software performance, hardware performance, project manager, trade secret expert witness, professional liability, unfair competition, copyright infringement, arbitration, litigation, mediation, due diligence investigations, computer technology expert witness, technology expert witness, internet expert witness, e-commerce expert, technical architecture expert witness, technical infrastructure expert, ERP expert witness, CRM expert witness, information technology expert, information technology outsourcing expert, computer outsourcing expert, software outsourcing expert

WSR Consulting Group, LLC provides expert analysis re: software project estimates, computer project staffing, software project management and progress reporting . compliance with applicable commercial and industry standards & methodology (including PMBOK, SWEBOK, IEEE, ISO-9000, Mil-Spec standards, METHOD/1, Big-4 standards) . cost-to-complete analysis . software defect management systems . system, performance and functional testing, and tuning . scope creep and scope change analysis . schedule delay analysis . IT best practices . consultants use of best practices, consulting industry standards, consultants software development methodologies . consultants' ethics

Disclaimer: The information contained on the www.wsrcg.com website is for education purposes and to stimulate thought, discussion and even controversy. Each real life situation is different! Accordingly, every solution must be tailored to the specific facts and situation at hand. Please contact Warren S. Reid, Managing Director, by phone at 818-986-8842 or by email: wsreid@wsrcg.com to discuss the contents of this website further and how WSR Consulting Group, LLC might be able to help you in your circumstances, or seek professional legal, industry, and/or expert consulting advice as applicable before using any of the ideas and materials contained herein. Please be aware that our "Consultants" resumes may be out of date as they are updated only periodically. Any inadvertent errors in resumes are corrected when discovered. Additionally, more than a few words in the IT industry have imprecise or changing meanings; accordingly please contact Warren S. Reid to be sure the services you are looking for are the ones we offer -- even though we may call it by the same or similar name.