9-Step ERP implementation planning guide
Step 1: Identify your goals
ERP is a complex software program that requires much forethought before the implementation begins. It is a costly affair, but it is also a long-term investment. As such, it is vital to identify your technological goals and expectations. It is important to note that operational requirements vary across different organizations.
Step 2: Set realistic expectations
Set realistic expectations and define your Implementation project. An ERP will not magically transform your organization. It cannot fix underlying organizational issues, financial mismanagement, and lack of goals or purpose. An ERP helps you automate your business processes and enhances communication between various departments while creating a single copy of data that is verifiable and synced automatically.
Step 3: Find an ERP vendor who understands your industry
Every business has unique requirements that change over time. The reasons you need an ERP today won't be the same tomorrow. Most buyers understand this dilemma and often find it challenging to decide. Make sure your vendor understands the origins of your hesitation and provides you with the necessary tools to lower the risk of making seemingly irreversible decisions when implementing an ERP system.
Step 4: Conduct a thorough audit
Once you have chosen your vendor and the ERP product you seek to implement, conduct a complete audit of all technology-related items. This includes the hardware, software, and peripheral infrastructure necessary to run your business.
Step 5: Prioritize tasks
For your ERP to function the way it should, you should identify things that need to be done on a priority basis, even before you install the software program.
Step 6: Appoint an internal ERP implementation team
It's easy to make mistakes when implementing ERP, simply because there isn't a hands-on team to oversee the entire project. As ERP implementation affects every aspect of your business, from customer service to production, finances, Human Resources, and inventory management, it is necessary to put a team that liaises with everyone involved. Identify key stakeholders who understand their domain best.
Step 7: Conduct testing and configuration during deployment
ERP implementation is a process during which you discover your organizational shortcomings. It is a time of revelation that will leave you vulnerable and exposed to technical loopholes. However, it also allows you to test which processes work better when certain ERP functions are tweaked, configured, and reconfigured.
Step 8: Prepare your staff for a change in work culture
Any ERP implementation brings about a change to your organizational culture. In the best scenario – It results in a dramatic shift in how things get done.
Step 9: Deploy ERP organization-wide after successful staff training
Staff training is an integral part of ERP implementation. However, many companies assume that users will learn to use the ERP along the way. This is primarily untrue and can lead to disastrous consequences.
