If you are involved in the ERP manufacturing software world, then at some point or another you have either heard of or experienced a horrible ERP system implementation. The reasons for implementation failures are numerous, ranging from poor planning, bad research, lousy support, software that doesn’t match your manufacturing processes, etc. So, how can you avoid an ERP manufacturing software implementation disaster when so many businesses have failed to achieve a successful one?
The one big secret to achieving ERP manufacutring system implementation success is to have crystal clear communication internally, externally, and most importantly, regularly.
Constant communication virtually eliminates all of the common pitfalls that businesses fall into. If you communicate regularly with your team and your ERP vendor during the implementation process, not only will you have a successful implementation, you will also get more out of your new ERP solution than if you don’t. Want to be an industry leader and not a laggard? Here’s how to achieve ERP software implementation success:
Communicate Internally – Before any ERP project gets off the ground, all departments at your business need to communicate in the process. Every department needs to know why you are implementing new ERP system, what the resource commitments will be, what the goals are, how everyone will be responsible to achieve them, and what the changes will be.
Pick a few managers and power users from each department that are good communicators, as they will be the primary points of contact for giving and receiving feedback in the process. Require these small teams to regularly discuss timeline, goals, and issues. The more often the teams communicate, the faster they will be able to resolve issues as they come up in the process.
Communicate Externally – As you work with your ERP vendor on your implementation, make sure that they are aware of what each department’s goals are, who the internal team contacts are, and require that they communicate with them regularly.
It is your job to stay on top of the ERP vendor to make sure that they are on schedule and updating your teams regularly – don’t leave it up to them. Being proactive in the communication process is the only way to ensure a smooth and successful ERP software implementation.
Communicate Regularly – Constant, clear communication cannot be valued highly enough in the implementation process. The scope and method of communication will vary for every business, based on company size, locations, etc. Regardless of these variables, constant communication requires consistent effort.
If there is not a sincere commitment to regular internal and external communication, then your next ERP system implementation is doomed to fail before it even begins. So, how do you know if you are communicating enough? You don’t –go talk to your team and find out how you can be communicating better.
