Pensiamo Consulting

Manrico Scremin is a highly experienced, independent consultant specializing in information systems strategy development, requirements definition, high level systems design, project planning, and project management. He has worked continuously in this field since 1981 having held senior positions in three major consulting firms. Manrico formed Pensiamo Consulting in 1999. He received Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science (Honours Physics) degrees from the University of British Columbia.

Manrico is available part-time for project work; up to three days per week on average.

Manrico helped a wide range of clients make best use of information systems to improve their operations. He believes that organizations should thoroughly review their business practices before starting an automation initiative. Manrico encourages and leads his client’s senior management and executive to define new ways of thinking about how their business operates. Only by doing this first can these organizations make best use of automation.

Manrico’s approach follows a simple “ESA” philosophy:

1. First Eliminate what provides little or no value.
2. Then Simplify what remains.
3. Then Automate, but only when the first two steps are done well.

This concept is easy to understand and often hard to follow. Many organizations skip the first two steps; they simply launch projects to automate business practices that are inherently inefficient or ineffective. Expected benefits are seldom realized in such projects. Manrico’s objective is to always maximize benefits. For him a successful project results in an organization doing business in a different and better way.

Manrico has also provided these related services to many clients:

• Information Systems strategy consulting. This includes Information Systems strategic and tactical planning, business case development, process and systems opportunity assessments, software and implementation company selection, outsourcing opportunity assessment, and outsourcing contract negotiation support.
• Program/Project management. This includes planning and managing projects to define and implement business solutions.  As an independent consultant with large consulting firm experience, Manrico is particularly well positioned to act as an internal client project manager in directing the activities of other service providers.
• Business Process Re-engineering. This includes documenting current business processes, changing them to improve organizational effectiveness, and assessing and recommending changes to organizational structures.

Following are brief descriptions of his latest assignments. Please contact Manrico at 604-418-2651 or by e-mail if you would like more information.

• Land Title and Survey Authority of British Columbia. Helped plan a high profile project and identify requirements at this government authority. Previously assisted with several aspects of a large project to significantly upgrade its core systems.  Also previously designed a “financial processor” to provide timely and accurate revenue information. This authority is responsible for managing all land titles within the province including registering titles and interests such as mortgages. The authority is also responsible for managing the province’s land survey structure.
• TransLink, a large metropolitan mass transit agency. Most recently managed several information technology components of a large project to implement the new Compass electronic fare card while also managing the merger of two separate transit programs for people with disabilities.  These were the latest of several assignments at this organization starting in 1998 when the agency was created. Previous projects included managing a project to transition the Transit Police division into a subsidiary operating company, developing a three year strategic (deployment) plan for the newly formed shared services group, and developing information technology strategic plans for three of the agency’s operating entities.
• Justice Institute of BC. Developed a three year technology strategic plan for this degree granting education and training institute. This is the second plan Manrico developed for this institute.
• SMART Technologies, an electronics manufacturer. Developed short term remediation plans and long term implementation plans relating to the financial, manufacturing, product lifecycle management, order management, marketing support, and human resources systems supporting the entire company. Developed project proposals, business cases, and project charters for several projects. Developed requests for proposal and directed the selection of system integration companies for large implementation projects.
• MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates, a large diversified company. Planned the company-wide implementation of a new financial system and directly managed its implementation at the first subsidiary. Planned the implementation of a new, sophisticated billing system at several subsidiaries. Developed and implemented a stabilization plan for a subsidiary which was experiencing severe system related issues.
• Chancery Software (now part of Pearson School Systems). Managed projects to implement this company’s student administration software in several US school districts. Extended and formalized the company’s software implementation methodology.