A roadmap for success
There are three basic building blocks to a successful ERP
implementation: define the requirements; develop a plan; and
implement. The marriage of these three components, coupled with
technology integration and user training comprises the total effort. If an
organization does not make conscious decisions regarding what to
architect and what benefits must be received, the organization cannot
hope to realize the maximum value creation from implementation.
The first step, requirements definition, is often given the most
superfluous attention. There are a number of different types of
requirements, each of which should be addressed and discussed with
key stakeholders. Technical requirements will define expectations in
terms of processing time, reliability, maintainability, and technical
support. Functional requirements should be derived from the overall
business process and gaps in ERP software. Functionality that must
be included based on the business requirements should be identified
and catalogued. Finally, programmatic requirements take into account
all of the implementation's end goals and the team's actions from a
value perspective.
The development and implementation plans should grow from these
requirements and form a lifecycle implementation plan for the
technology. Adopting a structured approach to managing this lifecycle