Brandeis PEAK Project Frequently Asked Questions

	Questions:
		How do I access forms for the PEAK project?
		Can I get help with my financial reports from the new PEAK system??
		How can I find out more about the project?
		Which modules are being installed first?
		What comes next?
		Which University offices will be affected?
		Will Student Services software be installed?
		How much will the PEAK project cost?
		Who is working on the project?
		Who is leading the project?
		Who are the consultants for the project?
		Will there be major changes in the way Brandeis does business?
		Other Questions?
	Answers:
	How do I access forms for the PEAK project?
		PEAK forms are available on the Forms page.
		There are many ways to access the forms. Here's one simple way:
		Right click on the underlined form title. (Mac users, Ctrl-click: hold down the keyboard Ctrl key and click the mouse button.) Select Save Target As, Save Link As, or Download to Disk. The browser displays a Save As window. Navigate to a folder and save the form there, noting the location. If you need to specify a format, choose Source.
		Do not try to download the Postal Charge Slip. Left click its underlined title and fill it out on line.
	Can I get help with my financial reports from the new PEAK system?
		Yes. Explanatory Samples of PEAK reports and help for using the SwiftView software for viewing reports are available on the Reports Page.
	How can I find out more about the project?
		Use this website for information on the progress of the project. You can start at the main page www.brandeis.edu/peoplesoft or follow the links in the navigation bar above. You can also send questions to PeopleSoft@brandeis.edu or call extension 6-PEAK (781-736-7325) the project help line.
	Which modules are being installed first?
		The financial modules, including General Ledger, Purchasing, Accounts Payable, and Grants will be installed first.
	What comes next?
		The Human Resources module will follow the financial package.
	Which University offices will be affected?
		The Finance offices -- Controller's Office, Budget Office, and Purchasing -- were affected first. Most university offices notice changes in the chartstring (the series of numbers used to charge expenses) and forms they used. The Human Resources and Payroll offices are now involved in the latest Peoplesoft implementation. Employees will notice changes in the look of the paychecks and will see a few minor changes in policy, particularly related to leaves (sick, vacation, and personal). Most offices will use different forms for personnel and payroll issues.
	Will Student Services software be installed?
		The scope of the current project includes only Finance and Human Resources. Brandeis University did purchase the software for Student Service operations, however the student services components will require additional funding and much detailed planning. The planning of a Student Services component to the project will begin as the Human Resources modules are being completed.
	How much will the PEAK project cost?
		The project is budgeted at $8.5 million. This includes the software, hardware, consulting and project staff salaries.
	Who is working on the project?
		There is a special project team in place to plan and install the software. The team will include, at different times, staff from the Controller's Office, the Budget Office, Human Resources, Payroll, and ITS. Members of the Human Resources, Payroll, Budget and Financial Aid Offices are now deeply involved in the project. Many other Brandeis staff members will participate in the project at various times. In the next phase of the project many staff members from the Student Enrollment Management area of the University will participate in the implementation of the Student Administration modules.
	Who is leading the project?
		Peter French is the Peak Project's Executive Sponsor. Tracey Leger-Hornby, Project Director, manages the project. Steering committees provide direction to each segment of the project. They are,
		The Financial Project Steering Committee:
		Ed Adelman Maureen Fessenden Perry Hanson Jim Hurley Maureen Murphy
		The Human Resources/Payroll Steering Committee:
		Maureen Fessenden Perry Hanson Maureen Murphy
	Who are the consultants for the project?
		Brandeis University engaged PeopleSoft Consulting for the Financials module, and LogicGate as consulting partner for the Human Resources/Payroll project.
	Will there be major changes in the way Brandeis does business?
		The new system supports fiscal accountability and reporting. It changes some aspects of recording financial transactions. Some financial forms have been changed to provide the Controller's Office information needed for the PeopleSoft module. There are new account codes (formerly subcodes), and the chartfield strings are up to 24 characters, depending on whether your funds are grant-supported. Financial reports have changed - instead of one consolidated report on greenbar paper, you will receive four separate reports on 8½ x 11 paper. These reports detail your department's transactions, open commitments, and labor dollars spent, and provide a budget-to-actuals summary. The budget tracking process is different, although you may not notice this until the end of the fiscal year. The PeopleSoft software has been configured to check each transaction to ensure that there are sufficient funds allocated for your department; if you try to spend more than is allocated within your budget, the transactions will not be completed until sufficient funds have been transferred to your total budget line.
	Other Questions?
		Send them to PeopleSoft@brandeis.edu or call extension 6-PEAK (781-736-7325) the PEAK project help line.

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bps site v1.0, last modified: 9/26/2002, 02:43 PM