5 common mistakes when implementing ERP

When implementing a new ERP system, sometimes things go wrong. In this blog, I discuss some of the most common mistakes made by organizations. The negative consequences of these mistakes can be enormous. So, make sure you prevent these mistakes in your ERP implementation.

1. Insufficient attention to the requirements and processes

Too often, in ERP implementations the current business processes are taken as a starting point and automating these the best way possible in the new environment is the objective. However, the ERP implementation is a great opportunity to optimize the business processes. You should not automate bad or inefficient processes the best way you can, but you should start with process optimization. Insufficient attention is paid to the critical improvement opportunities for the organization. How can the organization truly make more profit? These are important requirements with regard to the new system. This can be achieved by changing processes completely, adopting new processes or applying new technologies.

2. Insufficient involvement of all departments and staff

Support from the entire organization is a must-have when you start an ERP implementation. That management needs to support the choice of the new system speaks for itself. But the key users, the internal project manager and even all end users must also be involved in the project already in the selection phase and they need to be informed about the changes that the ERP implementation will bring. They must see the benefits of the ERP system and start the project with a positive attitude.

3. A too broad scope for the go-live of the ERP system

It is impossible to meet all the wishes and requirements of all departments during the ERP implementation and to have a perfect system at the go-live. In addition, striving for this makes the project very expensive, lengthy and complex. It is much better to focus on what is really important to have in your system at the go-live and then optimize the system in follow-up projects.So focus! This way you make things much easier for yourself and your colleagues.

4. Little or no attention to change management

The importance of change management in ERP implementations is greatly underestimated. New processes and new technology / software have an impact on the daily work of all employees. Prepare your people for the changes that are coming. Make sure they understand the necessity of the ERP system and understand the benefits they will experience. Also, manage their expectations. They must understand that they will not get a copy of the current environment (which they are used to) and that not everything will immediately go smoothly after the go-live with the new system.

5. No clear plan regarding the future

Many companies base their choice of an ERP system on what they need at that moment. But the intention is to work with it for many years, so you will have to take the future into account as well. Is the software solution future-proof? Which technology is it based on? How will you be supported? Is upgrading possible in the future and how does this take place? How do I internally document and distribute the knowledge of the ERP system and the business processes? Do I want customizations to the software and what consequences does this have for the future? Just a few of the questions about the future that not every organization thinks about during the selection process.

Do you want to know more about how to prevent these (or other) errors? Fill in your contact details below and I will contact you.

Philip van Kemenade is marketer at Dysel and is in contact with software end users every day.