Strategies for a Successful ERP Implementation.

Organizations that have issues with their ERP share one common problem: unsuccessful implementation of the system. And more often than not, it has nothing to do with the software itself.

Instead, businesses face challenges that have more to do with poor user adoption. If you aren't able to prevent user adoption issues, your ERP will surely fail.

Below are some tips on how to ensure that your ERP implementation is successfully implemented, while avoiding common user adoption issues that plague many organizations.

Thorough planning

According to CIO, one of the biggest mistakes with ERP implementation involves poor planning. Regardless of the industry you are in or the size of your organization, planning is vital to maximizing the potential of your ERP software. It is important that businesses fully understand their current processes, and how they can be evolved to improve efficiencies. Organizations that are considering ERP should take the following steps:

• conduct an internal audit of all processes and policies in order to develop a business blueprint that outline end-to-end goals and highlights critical business activities
• put together a team to properly evaluate ERP solutions and how they can be used to help the business

Take advantage of key features

Many companies make the mistake of improperly leveraging the key features of their ERP system. This means that many are failing to use the ERP to its full potential, missing opportunities to complete functions faster, automate business processes and meet outlined business objectives. In order to mitigate this issue and help employees use the system more effectively, organizations should compile an internal resource listing all the features, and also track their usage.

Clearly outline responsibilities

Perhaps the most prominent user adoption issue stems from ambiguity; in short, users are unsure of what they are responsible for. Because new processes and systems are being implemented, employees must be made explicitly aware of what their roles and responsibilities are within the new environment. Often, the implementation of ERP software can significantly transform people's job roles, and if they are unclear about what these transformations entail, they will have a difficult time navigating through the changes. Therefore, it is important that your organization constructs a process for facilitating the transition.

Establish a framework for long-term success

User adoption does not end once your ERP system is implemented. In fact, the majority of user adoption issues occur after it has gone live. Therefore, organizations need to establish an adoption and organizational change management framework that equips users with the tools necessary to not only adopt the system, but also continue to improve performance once it goes live. This will ensure long-term success and help mitigate most of the user adoption issues that arise after initial implementation.