An ERP implementation has a business-wide impact. It is also a long-term investment for a business. Hence it is critical that the top management actively participates in its implementation. As a business, you do not want to be stuck with an ERP system that is implemented keeping a long-term view to assist the employees, but no one is using it. It can be a mess.
The top management should consider the approach listed below to ensure that the ERP implementation is a success.
An ERP implementation is a huge decision and a significant change for the employees. It might be possible that the top management might face some resistance if they enforce the decision onto the employees. A better option is to involve employees from different departments to gain insights during the ideation phase.
Give them a platform to share their point of view about the requirements and their expectations from an ERP. They are the end-users, and hence their opinions should matter and are essential to the success of the entire process. Open communication from the top management with the employees will reduce the resistance and create champions in each department. They will further the cause within the departments and help make the transition seamless.
The top management should actively participate and drive the entire implementation project. They should not take a backseat after making the decision and leave its execution on others. Review the progress of the implementation regularly and ensure that the pre-decided milestones are achieved.
It ensures that everyone understands the importance of the project and works towards timely completion and adoption of the new ERP. If they do not, people might think it’s not too important. It may cause delays in the project, which may have a negative impact on the overall business. The top management should back their commitment by taking necessary actions.
Depending upon the project’s timeframe, the top management should ensure that the plans are achievable. It is also critical that the necessary resources are made available to ensure that the project runs smoothly. If the resources are not available for some reason, they should revisit the plan and set deadlines accordingly.
If necessary, the top management should hire new people or reassign existing employees for the ERP implementation. Also, some additional time should be kept as a buffer period to handle any unforeseen circumstances that may arise.
If the top management does not allocate adequate resources and yet forces the team to implement ERP, it will put undue pressure on them and be unsuccessful. Proper planning and adequate resource availability are incredibly crucial for it to be a success.
There should be a mechanism to address any unforeseen circumstances that may act as a roadblock to the project implementation. Also, all the relevant stakeholders should be aware of the mechanism and have complete clarity about their roles and responsibilities. They should know what steps to take and whom to contact in emergencies.
It will ensure that any such untoward incidents are handled in the nick of time. There should be a definite timeline to address such roadblocks. It will prevent the project from getting delayed or completely derailed in the worst case. A good way would be to conduct regular team meetings weekly or fortnightly to discuss the project progress and any critical issues that may hamper the pace of implementation.
It is critical that post-ERP implementation, the top management gathers feedback about the effectiveness of the ERP. Feedback about employee experience post using the ERP, any future modification suggestions from the other users, any issues or challenges employees face while using it, or any other critical feedback should reach the top management. It will ensure that any obstacles or resistance from the employees are handled effectively.
If you are looking to implement ERP, connect with experts at CocoonIT. We are a trusted Microsoft Gold partner. We help businesses in their digital transformation journey by delivering Microsoft Power BI, Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Business Automation tools, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, and other technology solutions services and support.
CCIT Cloud (CocoonIT Services) is an expert Microsoft Cloud Solutions and Implementation Partner. Organisations around the globe, partner with CCIT to harness the full potential of Microsoft Dynamics, Azure Cloud and Power Platform.
