11 Key ERP Implementation Best Practices for Business Success

Best Practices You Need For Successful ERP Implementation

Implementing an ERP system is a big job, and it can be intimidating. When done correctly, however, the benefits are enormous, providing additional opportunities today and in the future through improving your business processes. Accounting, budgeting, inventory management, supply chain management, order processing, human resources, and payroll are just a few of the key business operations supported by ERP software.

Following best practices of ERP implementation helps keep your project on track once your firm is ready to make the shift and begin the process of updating your software. To guarantee that the ERP deployment goes well and that you get the most out of the system, it's critical to follow best practices during each phase of the process.

That said, there are always challenges along the way. The good news is that if you approach your ERP deployment with a well-designed strategy and a realistic plan, you will almost certainly succeed. Here are some key best practices to follow if you want to have a successful ERP setup.

Choose Your Team 

When it comes to the ERP implementation process, the first step should be to figure out who you'll need on your implementation team. For a successful ERP implementation project, assemble a strong project team.

Who to go for?

These are typically key business group representatives who understand business processes, collaborate well with others, and are well-liked by executive management. It is also critical to have an executive sponsor who can modify corporate goals and bring in extra resources as needed. 

Creating top-level goals, managing day-to-day operations, and establishing key performance indicators are among the team's tasks within the ERP project. KPIs will aid the team in properly managing the project's schedule and money. In the case of small businesses, they may not have sufficient resources and may need to hire a consultant to assist with the process.

In any social situation, conflict is practically unavoidable, and most people are resistant to change. The team must be able to manage problems and negotiate amongst different groups within the organization during the implementation.

They may also need to make judgments based on user feedback and input about mid-stream adjustments to the ERP implementation approach.

Select the Appropriate ERP system

It's also important to consider the ERP software to use. ERP software can make or break your business, so it's critical to get it right from the start. Your overall organizational goals should be supported by a thorough and well-planned ERP selection process.

When taking on this duty, you'll need a good foundation in planning and strategy, and have experienced people around you.

Which should you choose?

You'll likely have a variety of ERP systems to pick from, including cloud-based and on-premises options, depending on your organization's goals and budget. Many businesses choose cloud-based ERP software because it is easier and faster to adopt than on-premises software.

It also has lower costs because it does not require hardware investment. Using the best practices of ERP implementation throughout the ERP installation process will assist ensure a successful deployment, regardless of which ERP system you choose.

Set KPIs and Schedules

Your ERP implementation project might take a long period, depending on the scope of the project and the departments involved. Initial discussions will be held to determine which systems and processes will be affected, as well as the kind of apps that will be introduced.

A crucial element of the process is to take a realistic look at what needs to be done and how much time it will take.

Get everyone on the same page

Simultaneous to setting schedules, your ERP project team should also have a clear understanding of what you want to accomplish.

Establish specific specifications that are in line with your company's objectives. For example, automating procedures to save time and money, boosting your capacity to respond to customers, and providing greater analysis throughout the business are all possible aims.

It's critical for best practices of ERP project implementation to consider what you want to achieve and how each process could be enhanced.

Don't lose sight of your goal

Implementing ERP software is an opportunity to improve a process rather than merely automate existing ones. It's critical to think about what you want to achieve and how you might improve each business process.

Identify specific key performance indicators to assist in tracking and measuring the success of your ERP deployment.

Consider Getting Consultants

If your team members are having trouble separating themselves from their day-to-day responsibilities, you may need to hire more support.

If you don't have any spare individuals, you can hire third-party personnel to cover project personnel's responsibilities. ERP implementations partners, in particular, would be your best bet.

There's nothing wrong with asking for help

ERP partners can work wonders for a successful ERP implementation. Research and select an ERP partner who not only has industry knowledge and experience but also shares your company's overall aims and values.

Confirm that they will be able to give training and support once your software is installed.

Ensure That you Have a Project Management Framework

Establishing a project management structure that will steer your ERP deployment to success throughout the implementation period is critical.

With ERP systems, scope creep, or the urge to add more and more features as the project goes, is a prevalent issue.

Due to a lack of good project management, ERP implementation initiatives are prone to scope creep.

It's vital to have a solid project management framework in place to ensure that your ERP implementation goes well.

Change is necessary

If you forecast huge success after your ERP implementation, you'll have to be open to changing all of your current processes.

This includes even the ones that are working well. Thus, project management should also cover the technical specifics of the ERP deployment.

This can include configuring the system and modifying certain business processes to make use of the ERP system's capabilities.

Gather Feedback After Every Stage

Obtaining feedback from end users can be incredibly beneficial throughout the implementation phase. In the early stages, this will assist you in understanding how workers work and connect with others, as well as their everyday challenges.

Feedback will also aid with the deployment of the system, allowing it to address real-world user needs. Towards the end, as an organization implements the ERP system, user feedback can help identify issues and suggest ways to improve them.

Promote Open Communication

Building a common understanding of the ERP implementation's aims and objectives is critical to a successful project.

Everyone in the firm should be aware of why the ERP system is advantageous to them and the company.

To achieve this shared understanding, clear communication and a collaborative approach are required. The CEO and leadership team should be involved to underscore the project's importance.

Promote transparency

Graphs, memos, and presentations can help the CEO communicate to the organization why the ERP is being implemented. Meetings and phone conversations on a regular basis can also help to coordinate activities, identify problems, and convey successes.

It's also crucial to inform external stakeholders, such as business partners and customers, about the implementation, so they can see how the changes will benefit them.

Handle Your Data

Data management should be included in your best practices of ERP implementation. This is a crucial step in the deployment that requires thorough planning and preparation.

Data loss or corruption can occur during migrations, especially if you're integrating data from multiple apps. This is why you should take all precautions necessary during this stage.

It's best to start evaluating the accuracy of your data early on, as it's a critical component of project success.

Because it influences all ERP deployment phases, including testing and training your end-users, the master data must be full and accurate.

Establish uniform data definitions and formats before a data migration, and ensure that your data procedures are consistent across the board.

Manual vs automating processes

Whether to manually transmit data or utilize specialized tools to automate the procedure is a major choice during an ERP setup.

Automation is more efficient and less time-consuming, but it still demands close supervision to minimize problems.

Manually importing data into a new system, on the other hand, provides an opportunity to purge obsolete data.

Regardless of which method you employ, it's critical to validate the data after migration to confirm that it was correctly transferred to the new system.

For successful data migration, your ERP partner and implementation team will need to work together.

Provide Training and Support

Employees should have a solid training program tailored to their specific tasks. Users will embrace the system and get the maximum value from it if they receive targeted, continuous training that is tailored to the needs of various positions and jobs.

Give your employees the freedom to choose

One strategy is to give tailored information, like infographics and tutorials, and allow employees to choose the content that is most relevant to their jobs.

It's also critical to provide hands-on training so that employees can learn how to use the system. Selected personnel may also be given thorough training before becoming mentors to others in their departments.

Build familiarity with the new ERP system

After implementation, live technical support is vital to avoid resistance and promote positivity towards the new system.

It's a good idea to be prepared by providing a variety of resources. This could include assistance from a help desk as well as an online knowledge base and discussion forums to help people get up to speed.

Additionally, the project team should keep an eye out for potential issues and problems.

When a large number of people make the same mistake, it's usually a sign that there's a problem that needs to be addressed through further training or a system update.

Have a Change Management Plan in Place

Appropriate change management is another aspect of ERP implementation best practices. Your employees will adapt to the new ERP system faster and with a higher success rate if you have a good change management plan in place.

A company should set proper expectations early in the implementation process for effective change management.

Consider getting multiple perspectives

 Change management arose from an understanding of the user's perspective on a project.

People begin to consider how changes would affect things both inside and outside the company, as well as how to mitigate those effects.

Thus, it became a crucial part of ERP implementation best practices.

Not everyone likes change

Change is difficult for anyone, and you may find that no matter what you do, some people will be dissatisfied with the changes.

But keep in mind that the majority of people want the best for the company.

So, if they understand the new processes and why they will benefit them and the organization in the long run, they will embrace them.

Plan Your Budget

It's important to constantly update your initial budget for implementation throughout the process.

If you've determined that some roles will need to be backfilled with external manpower, make sure to budget for their salaries.

Alternatively, if you've opted to hire a consultant, you'll need to include their expenses as well.

To ensure a successful ERP implementation, keep in mind that the budget covers much more than just the initial software processing price. A reliable accounting software can help you in this regard.

Common ERP Implementation Mistakes To Avoid

Implementing an ERP system can be a complex process that requires the right commitment and participation among all stakeholders. Even if you go prepared, certain pitfalls can derail even the most meticulously planned projects. Thankfully, we’re here to give you a heads up. Here are some common ERP implementation mistakes you should be aware of:

Poor change management

One common mistake is underestimating the importance of change management. Resistance to change is a natural human tendency, and without proper management, it can lead to project failure.

Inadequate project planning

Another critical error is inadequate project planning. A detailed plan that outlines each step of the implementation process is crucial for success.

Lack of management support

Without the backing of top management, ERP projects often lack the necessary resources and direction. 

Poor data quality

Additionally, neglecting data quality can have disastrous consequences. Clean, accurate data is the foundation of any ERP system, and failure to ensure data integrity can lead to erroneous outputs and decision-making.

Customization overload

While customization can make the system more aligned with the business's specific needs, excessive modifications can complicate the system, making it difficult to maintain and upgrade. 

Insufficient training and support

Lastly, insufficient training and support can hinder the successful adoption of the ERP system. Employees need adequate training to understand and utilize the new system effectively.

How To Measure the Success of ERP Implementation

Measuring the success of an ERP implementation is crucial to understand its impact on an organization's efficiency and growth. But, how do you know whether or not you did things right? These metrics provide a comprehensive view of the ERP system's effectiveness and guide future improvements:

Improved business processes

This can be quantified by reduced process times, increased automation, and elimination of redundancies. 

User adoption and satisfaction

High levels of user engagement and positive feedback indicate that the ERP system is intuitive and adds value to the employees' daily tasks.

Return on Investment (ROI)

It involves calculating the financial gains from the ERP system against the total cost of implementation over a specific period. A successful ERP implementation should show a positive ROI. 

Data accuracy and quality improvements

Enhanced data reliability leads to better decision-making and operational efficiency. 

Customer satisfaction and service levels

Improvements in customer service, such as faster response times and more accurate order processing, are direct benefits of a successful ERP implementation. 

Conclusion

The key to a successful ERP deployment is to have a thorough grasp of how users will interact with the end product.

Remember, the software is only as good as the people who use it and the processes that have been implemented.

Best practices of ERP deployment include reviewing your resources and establishing what type of change management you'll need to use as part of your project.

Following these steps will help you implement your plan successfully.

To sum up, everything starts with planning and team selection. Continuous testing and feedback collection are important as you go through your ERP implementation.

Never hesitate to get an ERP partner if you feel your current team is lacking expertise in certain areas. 

Lastly, expect a lot of inquiries on the day of the rollout, as well as some problems.

Make sure your project team is ready to lead their departments through the process, and your IT team is ready to make any necessary changes and adjustments.

Although ERP deployment is time-consuming, the gains to efficiency and profitability are well worth the effort.

After the rollout, compare the output of your ERP solution to the goals and objectives stated by your project team during the planning stage.

Key Takeaways:

• Success in ERP implementation relies on forming a team of key business group representatives who understand business processes and can collaborate effectively.
• Choosing the right ERP system is crucial, with options ranging from cloud-based to on-premises systems, aligning with organizational goals.
• Establishing specific key performance indicators and realistic schedules is essential for tracking progress and ensuring alignment with company objectives.
• Effective change management involves setting proper expectations and understanding the impact of changes on the organization.
• Ensuring the accuracy and consistency of data is critical, as it affects all phases of ERP deployment, including testing and end-user training.
• Providing targeted, continuous training tailored to various roles and jobs is necessary for successful adoption of the ERP system.
• Continuous budget monitoring and inclusion of all related expenses, such as external manpower or consultant fees, are vital for a successful implementation.