Question

Provide an overview of the implementation process (e.g., the ERP life cycle, business process re-engineering, project management, and change management) and the role of staff, vendors, consultants, and the organization in making the ERP implementation process successful. g

Answer 1

By implementing an ERP system, companies expect to have a tool that covers all or most of their processes to improve their operation and productivity. Thus, a phase methodology to implement an ERP will help with this purpose as well as the clear and concise definition of vision, objectives and scope of the implementation, monitoring and risk mitigation plans, project socialization, review of the base processes, configuration, parameterization tests, training, etc.

1) Organization - Project Planning

This stage will aim to determine the resources of the project, both technical and human, in the same way the project planning agreements must be defined in terms of work times and schedules. The work team should be defined, with the roles and responsibilities of each role totally clear. It is also recommended at this stage to leave the software installed to guarantee, from the beginning, its correct operation in the company's own environment.

2) Modeling - Business Understanding

The objective of this stage will be to reach a common understanding between the specialist team of the system and the expert team of the company as to what are the current processes of the company and what are their expectations regarding the implementation of the ERP.

3) Parameterization - Configuration and Development

In this stage the tool must be configured under the parameters defined in the previous stage. If necessary, it must also comply with the special developments or configurations that are required. In addition, this stage must be the one indicated to carry out tests of the configuration as well as tests of any development or integration with other systems that have been required.

4) Final Preparation

The objective of this stage will be to cover all the pre-live requirements. This is where the training of end users should be carried out as well as that of the ERP system administrator. Additional at this stage, final system tests, system adjustments and preparation of initial balances for live departure must be met.

5) Start-up or Go Live

Finally, this stage is aimed at the implementation of the new system, its main objective is to leave the testing environment and start working on a definitive Production base. Additional focuses on the support required during the first weeks of work as well as the performance improvement adjustments that may be required. However, it is necessary to know that there is life after implementing an ERP.

6) Project Control

This is an independent stage from the previous phases and the project to implement an ERP should be fulfilled throughout the project. Its objective is to keep control of it with respect to planning compliance, delays, pending, risk analysis and mitigation, and any activity that supports quality control of the implementation.