1- Identify the problems, set the goal, scope and objectives
Today’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems solve many of the problems your business faces. However, as mentioned in the article Why ERP Implementations Fail , it is very important to define the actual purpose, scope and objectives of your implementation. It is imperative to identify the problems to be solved or to know why an ERP system is necessary, and to see which solutions are within reach of the company. The more precise and rigorous you are from the start, the more precise and rigorous your implementation will be.
More and more companies are choosing a phased approach instead of implementing their ERP solution all at once. This less risky approach also has the advantage of being able to resolve bugs before extending the system to the entire company.
2- Coordinate teams very early
Appoint a project manager or team leader to drive the implementation and ensure that the goal, scope and objectives are clearly and precisely communicated and documented. Check that these elements correspond to management decisions and are supported by management early in the process.
Having the right people in the project is an important success factor. It is not about having average or available players, it is about having competent and energetic people ; you want the best possible team. Give the team the authority, autonomy and time to get the project done right.
3- Develop a change management strategy
There is no doubt that the implementation of an ERP system brings about significant changes. As employees are used to a certain routine, these changes are not always easy to accept. This is when change management becomes essential and must be built into implementation. This involves engaging employees in preparing a compelling business case for the change, purpose, scope and objectives, and explaining why the project was undertaken. Everyone should fully understand and know this business case and the goals of the project. Unfortunately, this fundamental step, which lays the foundations of the project, is often overlooked.
Change affects everyone , and managers must see themselves as strong advocates of the new system and positively influence users.
Communicating regularly and positively about the change will make it easier, as an ERP system can only deliver optimal results when all employees are committed to it.
4- Document, train and take into account the human factor
We already know, as explained in the section on ERP project failures, that end user training is a critical success factor, just as end user documentation helps clarify expectations for a deployment. optimal.
Your employees need to adapt to changing processes, new software, navigation and technology, and you need to plan for these changes and prepare your employees if you want things to go smoothly. Preparing people for change can seem very abstract in an ERP system implementation process, but don’t neglect this step, even if you can’t accurately measure the mindset of your employees. Failure to train people and worry about whether they are ready can derail the project before it even gets started.
5- Understand the supplier process
ERP system vendors know exactly what it takes to implement their software packages and have designed suitable methodologies. Work with a software package vendor or implementation specialist to accommodate the specifics of your business. Understanding your supplier’s philosophy and making sure it matches your goals will help you succeed with your project.
6- Establish a post-implantation plan
The period after going live is often the time when plans to implement software packages stumble. Much can change when the implementation team hands over to internal and external support teams. Developing a post-deployment strategy early on in the project will allow users to communicate issues and the vendor to know what is expected of them after going live. It is also important to have adequate technical support during and after commissioning to answer user questions and avoid frustration.