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October 2004
Implementing an ERP ...
Still a Mystery
By: Dutch Holland
So how long have companies been implementing ERPs (Enterprise
Resource Planning packages … like SAP, Lawson, PeopleSoft, JD
Edwards, Baan, etc.)? Almost 10 years now!! It is interesting to
see many of the same implementation problems continuing to pop
up: difficult implementations, under-preparation of users, low
utilization of the ERP at “go live.”
It’s almost like we have to continue to make the same
mistakes all over again. Mistakes like:
· Depending on technical project management to
lead the entire project … both the technical side and the
user education.
· Allowing the managers of user organizations to
duck the responsibility of preparing their users to do the
company’s work with the new ERP
· Training only on “system operation,” rather than
balancing system training with training on work processes
that use the system
· Using most if not all of the available budget to
continue to tune the technical system while users go
unprepared.
· Equating user preparation with “training on
change management” … what an astounding wrong-headed idea!
· Setting utilization goals of 30% utilization at
go live … instead of 100%!
· Etc., etc., etc.!
So what is a company to do? Do homework, that’s what! Find
out what others have learned the hard way. Talk to vendors who
have been through user preparations before (some of us have even
prepared hundreds of user organizations with thousands of
users).
Live and learn, the old saying goes. Seems like with ERP
implementations, however, the saying continues to be … “money to
burn!”.
 Dutch Holland,
CEO of HDI, has worked as a management consultant for 30 years,
helping organizations and leaders manage and implement change
successfully. And if you enjoyed this short article, you'll
love his book, Red Zone Management: Changing the Rules
for Pivotal Times (Dearborn Trade, Chicago, Fall 2001).
Check your local bookstores or read a review at amazon.com
or barnesandnoble.com!
Contact Dutch at 713.877.8130.
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