Episode 002
How to prepare for an e-commerce platform project
The questions worth asking yourself before kicking off a platform project, to avoid expensive rework once implementation is underway.
Before a single line of code gets written, there are a few things that, in Michał Zabielski’s view, decide whether an e-commerce platform project ends in success or a dragged-out mess.
One person, full authority
A single point of contact on the client side, with real decision-making power and time carved out for the project, speeds up communication with the vendor and shields other departments from a flood of questions. Ideally, this person’s own goals are tied to the project’s success.
Business analysis and ecosystem mapping
Mapping core and supporting processes shows what’s actually worth automating, and analysing not just the “happy path” but alternative scenarios reveals hidden costs. Tools like BPMN or Event Storming help visualise this, and often surface process gaps the company didn’t know it had.
A large share of project hours goes into integrating with external systems, so an early assessment of connections to CRM, ERP, PIM, and WMS protects the budget from uncontrolled scope creep.
Risk, roadmap, and the long view
Documented risks and contingency plans keep the project under control. A visual roadmap splits it into phases with clear acceptance criteria. And the platform doesn’t end at launch, budgeting for post-launch maintenance and growth is what makes the investment actually pay off.
Planning an e-commerce platform project and not sure where to start? Get in touch with Endora, let’s start with a properly scoped brief.
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