How To: ERP Implementation Project Success – Part 2

In a previous post, we discussed five key factors designed to set you up for success in the technical installation phase of your ERP implementation project.  Those factors included setting and managing realistic expectations, defining a budget and schedule, and the importance of executive buy-in. Now let’s move on to the technical part of the installation and management of your project team.

Managing Your ERP Implementation Team - 5 Tips for Success

1. Make the best use of your resources

Your resources are many, and the size and breadth of the ERP installation project will determine exactly what is needed. Your projects will demand more than just the technology systems. Your resources also include your team of experts: system developer, project manager, business analyst, etc. Making effective and efficient use of these resources can spell success for your project.

2. Proper scheduling of your team

It’s likely that your team will work on more than one ERP installation project at a time; there may be some overlap. Each client is important to the success of your business and your reputation, so it’s not a good idea to allow one installation schedule to be

sacrificed for the benefit of another. It’s also not a good idea to demand that your people be in two places at the same time. Be realistic about what your team can accomplish and set a reasonable schedule, so each installation receives quality work. Activity resource estimating will help project managers deploy resources in the most effective manner without risking overruns of the budget and timeline.

3. Project team positions

Beyond just assigning specific tasks to project team members, a project executive will also make use of a project manager, one or more subject matter experts, functional specialists, technical specialists, and software developers. Strategic management of these resources is crucial to success of the project.

4. Assign tasks and responsibilities

Each member of the project team should have a clear understanding of their role and should be held accountable for the successful completion of their tasks. A successful project requires that the project team participate, at some level, in the planning process, buy-in to the project plan, and be committed to each of the individual project tasks. It’s important that they know exactly what they are responsible for and who has the authority to make adjustments or changes and sign off on work completed.

5. Maintain Good Communication

Managing communications throughout the duration of the project is not always easy, but it is critical. It’s not enough to ask your team “how’s it going?”. Formal communication, scheduled frequently, will assure that everyone is on the same page and the project is on track. If there’s a problem, you’ll know about while it can still be fixed and before it derails the project. Set project communication expectations up front. In developing a communication plan for the project, the project team should agree as to how often and at what intervals they should meet on a formal basis to discuss the project status, who will be charged with emails and phone calls, who should be included, and what information should be detailed in written status reports?

Good communication is a key to success and stakeholders will appreciate being updated throughout the project.

Projects always require hard work, but hard work alone will not ensure project success.  Taking time before the project begins to implement these key tips will help you avoid the most common problems that can lead to conflict, delay, and budget and timeline overruns.

Need assistance? Our project management certified experts are standing by.

Do you need assistance executing a software implementation project? At BroadPoint, we’ve developed a successful implementation methodology based on Microsoft’s Sure Step model.

Our team of project management certified experts has successfully implemented hundreds of technology implementations with clients across the U.S.  Contact BroadPoint and let us help with your next implementation project.

By BroadPoint Technologies, www.broadpoint.net