• Some executives blindly hope that new software will cure fundamental
business problems that are not curable by any software. The root of a
problem may lie in flawed core business processes. Unless the company
changes its business processes, it will just be computerizing an ineffective
way of doing business.
• Some executives and IT managers don’t take enough time for a proper
analysis during the planning and implementation phase.
• Some executives and IT managers skimp on employee education and training.
• Some companies do not place the ownership or accountability for the
implementation project on the personnel who will operate the system. This
lack of ownership can lead to a situation in which the implementation
becomes an IT project rather than a company-wide project.
40
Chapter 2
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• Unless a large project such as an ERP installation is promoted from the top
down, it is doomed to fail; top executives must be behind a project 100
percent if it is going to be successful.
• A recent academic study attempting to identify the critical success factors of
ERP implementations showed that a good project manager was critical and
central to success of a project. In addition, training was crucial—along with a
project champion, that is, someone who might not be in the CEO role but
who brings enthusiasm and leadership to a project.
• ERP implementation brings a tremendous amount of change for users of the
system. Managers need to effectively manage that change in order to ensure a
smooth implementation.