Massive change, of both a technical and cultural nature, is a large part as to why ERP implementations are extremely difficult. After 40 years and tens of thousands of implementations of ERP projects, tools have been developed that greatly improve the success rate of ERP projects.
One technical tool of ERP implementations include accelerators, or pre-defined best-practice configurations, that can increase the possibility of projects being completed on budget and schedule.
Although not replacement for sound project management and good methodologies, these new tools have reduced system implementation time frames from years to months in many cases.
Unfortunately, the human element of change has not received as much attention as the technical areas. You may be wondering why that is? Well, ERP projects and project teams are mostly run and staffed by people who deal with facts and data, budgets and schedules, and bits and bytes.
The “soft side” of projects and change are less widely understood as is the knowledge of how to implement “soft side changes” even when there is appreciation.
In addition, the recession and tight budgets of the past half-decade have left little room in the budget for what many regard as “frills.” In many cases, the ERP system is brought in and the project is considered a technical project.
The success or failure of the project will be attributed to technical competence or incompetence.
With the rare exception of a totally inappropriate technical selection, most failures can be traced to a lack of application of change management disciplines including: