Enterprise Resource Planning Implementations

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementations makes managing these projects difficult. An ERP package touches the entire organization and can affect individual. These projects involve forms of a company which includes individual, measures and technology. An ERP system smooth the flow of information across units of business. It allows for seamless integration of systems and creates a integrated view of the enterprise to support decision making. In most organizations, the ERP system is considered the reality of an organization. Problems with the key operational system would have a vivid impact on the ability of the enterprise to achieve the goals or objectives.

In order to relieve the risks involved with implementing an ERP successfully and ensure the company receives the uses of a successful ERP solution, every project needs efficient and energetic Project Management. An experienced project manager will ensure that risks are identified and responded throughout the project lifecycle. Some of the common risks to an ERP project include:

• Size and complexity- Many companies underestimate the magnitude of an ERP project. A Project Manager will know everything with ensuring that a project plan and timeline are developed in which the scope and impact on a company’s resources is to be known.
• Business Advantage – Often in IT, the ownership of the project is given without being known to the resources and capabilities to complete the project. A Project Manager will assist with ensuring that there is Executive Sponsorship and have appropriate representation from all business aspects.
• Staffing – Due to the large size of ERP projects, there are many tasks involved which doesn’t complete in timeframe during the implementation. Company resources are usually given these extra tasks on top of their day to day duties. It is imperative that resources are known to the project and they get sufficient time and support to complete tasks of the project.
• Politics Of Organization – Arrangement and stakeholder involvement is difficult. A Project Manager will involve stakeholders from functional department’s right from the start to boost up chances so as to achieve the goals. Involving take holders to increase project profit and ensure alignment throughout the life of the project is important.
• Unexpected Gaps – It is very difficult to assess 100% software fit during the sales cycle. Once a project is launched and the team has the time to get into the details, gaps are often identified. Effective project management will ensure that gaps are tracked and decisions are made on how to address them based on impact to budget, timeline and resources.
• Scope Edge – Controlling the project scope includes influencing factors that create changes to the scope, as well as managing change requests and controlling their impact. Project Managers will be able to identify scope creep, process the scope change requests through an integrated change control process and manage the implementation of scope changes after approval.
• Change Resistance – It is human nature to resist change and the impact the user community has on an effective implementation should be estimated.
• Change Management – an approach to change in an organization, is something that an Project Manager will know during the implementation process by defining organization resources and managing communications among employees.