8 Key Elements for Successful ERP Implementation

By: Eric Anderson

Implementing a new ERP system is a complex process; it takes confident selection, thorough planning, skilled implementation and go-live support. Each phase lays the foundation for the next phase. Shortchanging or rushing through any of the phases or key elements can transform what should be a successful ERP implementation into an exercise in crisis management. Here is some insight as to the importance of eight key elements for a successful ERP implementation.

Confident Selection

1.)   Capture detailed requirements: Company personnel are so familiar with business processes that collecting this information results in only high-level requirements. It is important to probe for details. Group interviews including several departments create a synergy that captures detailed requirements. Stepping through use cases is another technique that captures detailed requirements.

2.)   Choose the right solution: Even good, detailed requirements won't ensure that you choose the right solution. Vendor web sites tend to provide overly simple and generic demos to explain their product. Challenge vendors to prove they are the right fit by providing demos tailored to your processes, not their bells and whistles.

Thorough Planning

3.)   Balance budget and resources: Your budget will increase as the vendor assumes more of the activities. On the other hand, a vendor can train your resources to assume activities such as data conversion or end user training. If you choose to assume more of the activities, you can expect a lower budget but also be prepared for the timeline to complete the new ERP project to be longer.

4.)   Flex your change management muscles: Your leadership team needs strong change management skills so your people can transition to the new systems and processes. Change management includes understanding your staff, their training skills and aptitude for learning. Anticipate that some of your staff will be excited and some will dread the process changes.

Skilled Implementation

5.)   Own your data: Data conversion is more than just a technical process for a vendor to handle; it is also a business process requiring strong involvement from your company. Work with your vendor to develop data mapping and conversion rules to fit a new data schema. You will develop vital expertise needed to manage your data in the new ERP system.

6.)   Don't skip weekly status meetings: You have initiated weekly status meetings for a reason; a new ERP project is complex. Complex projects can reap high rewards, but they can also be susceptible to risk. Unexpected issues can be discovered when everyone provides a status update. You want to keep everyone on the same page and in sync with next steps.

Go-Live Support

7.)   Conference Room Pilot (CRP): The CRP is a practice event to walk through mission critical processes. This is the final verification process of the new ERP system. Develop a checklist highlighting processes that have changed to make sure there are no uncertainties. The CRP is the warm-up to ensure strong performance at go-live.

8.)   Life after Go-Live: Commitment really happens with go-live. Users don't remember everything from training if it isn't enforced in the live environment when they really have to do it. There are going to be questions about uncommon procedures, tweaks needed to the processes and items identified once live that will need to be addressed. It makes sense to invest more with training time, change management, and user adoption after go-live.

These eight elements can help ensure a successful ERP implementation. If you have questions on how to make your ERP implementation a smooth process, please contact your Eide Bailly representative.