We know how important it is for you to have confidence in your ERP implementation. Thankfully after many years of technology consulting, we’ve developed a proven methodology and best practices for ERP implementation success that can guide you through the process with ease – saving you a lot of headaches.
And in this blog post, we reveal three of them.
These 3 ERP implementation best practices are proven to lead you to success.
1. Secure buy-in from your leadership team.
Buy-in starts from the top. One of the biggest landmines of a failed ERP implementation is lacking support from your leadership team. If you can’t secure 100% buy-in, you won’t have the resources you need to move forward.
So how do you end up with the backing of your leaders?
Start with making your vision of the ERP implementation crystal clear. Paint a picture of the benefits the solution will bring – all the processes it will simplify. Hiring someone full time will be necessary to track project success.
Yes, it’s a large investment upfront, and that can be jarring. But make the end results clear. Saving time, streamlining processes, and cutting costs is a dream for the bottom line.
Convince your leadership team that this project can’t be an afterthought. Without their backing, a successful ERP implementation can’t be attainable.
2. Provide your team with an exciting change management plan.
Changing the way things have always been can be painful. Teams may not be 100% on board initially. Especially if it means they are being taken away from their current role and having extra work thrown onto their plate.
This is your opportunity to align and train your team, articulate your vision for success and show how the ERP implementation can ultimately make everyone’s jobs – and lives – a lot better.
How can you make an ERP implementation more fun?
Promote the ERP implementation using creative taglines, mascots, or friendly team competitions to create excitement. It doesn’t all have to be by the book.
What is the best way to keep the project on course?
Project management is a crucial step in making sure everyone is on the same page. While comprehensive project management is typically provided by your ERP implementation team at Crowe, it is crucial to have a detail-oriented project manager from your team that will be responsible for oversight on training and regular communication to make sure all needs are met.
It’s best for your project manager to also act as a “change manager,” championing the ERP implementation from the inside and inspiring excitement within your team.
3. Trust your consultants – lean into native functionality first.
Every business is different. As technology consultants, we understand that. It’s natural to want an ERP system that is tailored to your business and ONLY your business.
But let’s go back to the basics. Times have changed and ERP systems are made to simplify your business. Certain native functionalities (which are already built into NetSuite) work for the majority of businesses – and you’ll spin your wheels if you try to “over-customize.”
Going simple can make your processes so much easier than they were before.
We know there isn’t a “one size fits all” solution for every problem – and we’ll help you customize your system where it’s needed – but trust us when we say that adopting the standard processes of your system first can help your ERP implementation stay on track from the very beginning.
