ERP Implementation Methodology

In my last article Why implementation Fails ,I had mentioned a few factors which lead to failure of ERP implementation. Now the question arises whether those factors affect the implementation, then how it can be controlled or milestone could be achieved.

Implementation cannot be successful only by avoiding pitfalls. There are some methodologies which need to be considered. Implementation is an ongoing process and success cannot be achieved by an individual's effort.

"Successful organizations understand the importance of implementation, not just strategy, and, moreover, recognize the crucial role of their people in this process."-Jeffrey Pfeffer

Below are the driving factors for Successful Implementation.

• Discovery: Discovery typically begins during the sales process, and as the name implies, it involves the discovery of what business needs your ERP system will need to address and what you hope to achieve through your ERP implementation
• Planning: Planning begins during the discovery phase and continues throughout the whole project. The planning phase involves identification of a project team, meetings with key stakeholders on the project, and documentation that outlines current issues and potential solutions. The outcomes of these meetings and documents will be a project plan that guides the project until it is complete.
• Design: In the Design phase, the solutions proposed in the Planning phase will be fleshed out. The project team will determine what specific components will be implemented and how they will be configured and used. The project team will also define roles of people involved in the project and document the procedures and methodologies that will be used throughout the ERP implementation process.
• Development: In Development, the actual nitty-gritty technical work of the ERP implementation process will get underway. The project team will begin preparing for “go-live” by developing the necessary customizations to ensure the applications will work as needed when go-live day comes. Preparing users by providing training, and preparing the data in your current system to be imported into the ERP application are also important milestones that happen during development.
• Testing: Of course, you want to be sure things work before you go live, so all development work must be tested to ensure it is working properly. As problems are found, they will be addressed and everything will be fine-tuned. The project team users will also get their first peek at how the new system works. Testing needs to be carried out by Client as a part User Acceptance Testing
• Deployment: Go-live, or deployment, happens when all development and testing is complete and problems have all been addressed. The ERP implementation team will make a decision as to whether the system is ready for go-live. The final data will be loaded into the ERP system, with one last check to uncover any problems. Usually, deployment happens over the weekend so as to reduce impact on users and customers. Following a successful go-live, the project team will train users as they begin working in the new system.
• Support: Just because the system has gone live doesn’t mean your project is over. The system will need support to ensure it continues to meet business needs as requirements change. Updates, upgrades and maintenance of the software will also be required on an ongoing basis.

For any service providing company, Support and Maintenance play crucial role. In today's world Post implementation support drives referral sales and further expansion of company.

Implementation is day to process and relation build by implementer is takes company forward.

"When efforts that are wisely executed, the situation and condition don't affect the performance.” -Ashish Patel