What do you do if you're a project manager choosing an ERP system for your organization?

ERP system should be selected by key users/ stakeholders with C level sponsorship. PM should not be selecting by themself. Key users should come from each functional area with unique needs for their area. They should then be evaluating solutions based on those needs. PM may be one of those stakeholders, but needs of all stakeholders must be considered.

El primer paso antes de identificar el ERP que vamos a implementar, es fundamental comprender completamente los requisitos y desafíos de su organización. Esto implica entablar conversaciones significativas con líderes de diferentes áreas para recopilar información detallada sobre sus procesos y áreas de mejora. Al tener una comprensión clara de las necesidades de su organización, estará mejor equipado para elegir un sistema ERP que se alinee perfectamente con sus objetivos y flujos de trabajo existentes. El éxito de una implementación efectiva de ERP depende en gran medida del compromiso y la participación activa de los dueños de procesos. Para lograr esto, es crucial identificar las necesidades específicas de cada área en la organización.

A Digital Discovery Assessment is a must. You must identify along with key stakeholders like Line of Business(LOB) experts, the "Core" business processes of your org and map them with the SaaS Cloud offerings of the Product you want to choose. This is "Clean Core" strategy which ensures that all the latest offerings and innovations can be adopted quickly. Now focus on your Uniqueness and how you can bring in your org's flavour on top of your core and do effective customisation with the help of PaaS Solutions so that your identity and competitiveness is realised. Core must integrate seamlessly with loosely decoupled PaaS customisation, meaning the integrations should not be disrupted by releases in cloud. This allows great flexibility.

1 - Levantamento de Requisitos; 2 - Avaliação de Fornecedores; 3 - Análise de Custos; 4 - Demonstração e Testes; 5 - Avaliação de Riscos; 6 - Tomada de Decisão Baseada em Dados: Tomar uma decisão informada com base na análise dos requisitos, avaliação dos fornecedores, análise de custos, testes e avaliação de riscos para selecionar o sistema ERP mais adequado para a organização.

Excellent point! Vendor research can be strategically divided into two crucial parts: 1. ERP Vendor Selection: Identifying a provider with a track record in your industry and a future-proof solution that scales alongside your company's growth. 2. Implementation Partner Selection: Rigorously evaluate potential implementation partners for their expertise in deploying the chosen ERP within your industry. Prioritize partners with a track record of delivering comprehensive support and training. Beyond technical expertise, assess the cultural fit and alignment of values with your chosen implementation partner. This ensures a collaborative environment built on trust and shared goals, fostering a successful long-term partnership.

I would send a request for proposal to the pre-selected ERP providers, specifying my requirements. Upon receiving the proposals, I would evaluate compliance with each requirement and request technical demonstrations of the most critical ones. Then, I would choose the system that aligns best with my company's needs.

Consider future needs of Organization - expansion, future product lines, growth plan across geographies and others. It is important to ensure ERP investments continue to be relevant in future and are aligned with Organization's future roadmap.

As the managing director of an IT company specializing in ERP solutions, I understand the critical role of project managers in selecting the right ERP system for their organizations. Choosing the best ERP system involves several key steps to ensure success:

-Strategic Alignment: Ensure the ERP aligns with business strategy. -Core Functionality: Prioritize features essential to operations. -Flexibility: Choose a scalable system that can adapt to changes. -Total Cost: Consider implementation, training, and long-term expenses. -User Experience: Select a user-friendly system with adequate support. -Vendor Reputation: Choose a reliable vendor with a good track record. -Data Security: Ensure the ERP meets security and compliance standards. -Change Management: Plan for process changes and employee training. -Cloud vs. On-Premise: Consider the pros and cons of each deployment option. -Continuous Improvement: Plan for regular updates and enhancements.

Es kann extrem hilfreich sein, einen neutralen Partner mit Branchenexpertise und Prozessknowhow frühzeitig in den Anforderungs- und Auswahlprozess einzubeziehen. Für Projektmanagement und Unternehmen ist es oft die erste ERP-Einführung. Beratungspartner kennen Herausforderungen, die richtigen Fragen und Antwortmöglichkeiten. Da die ERP-Entscheidung mindestens für die nächsten fünf bis zehn Jahre die Weichen des Unternehmens stellt, ist das gut investiertes Geld! Nochmal: Die Neutralität ist wichtig und Voraussetzung fürs Gelingen.