Digital Transformation Wrapped: The Ultimate ERP Project Playlist
Music has many benefits – from improving memory to reducing depression and stress. Why not let it benefit your digital transformation efforts? We wrapped up the top hits and best practices to guide your ERP implementation project to top the charts.
Breaking Up with Your Legacy System – “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” by Taylor Swift
If your on-premises system has you seeing red due to siloed systems, inefficient processes, and lack of visibility to data, the time has come to move on from your current ERP. Cloud-based enterprise systems allow for more flexibility, streamlined operations, fewer manual processes, and improved efficiency. Say goodbye to your legacy system and don’t look back, like, ever.
Choosing a New Cloud ERP – “Should I Stay Or Should I Go?” by The Clash
The first consideration when moving to the cloud is will you stay with your incumbent vendor or move to a new one. Whether you plan to stay or go, ensure you are not bringing bad processes into the new system or making the decision based on familiarity. Explore and compare the new capabilities cloud systems include, and whether the ERP will be able to scale as you grow or adapt quickly as market needs change.
Building Your Strategy – “Ice, Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice
Stop, collaborate, and listen. Phase zero of your project falls between software selection and implementation. In a presentation on developing your pre-implementation strategy, Avaap Vice President Kameron deVente likens phase zero to an iceberg. In this phase, you will uncover items and processes that may be hidden under the surface. This is an opportunity to establish project management and governance, identify your current systems, interfaces, data, and reporting, begin preparing your change management strategy, and ensuring alignment of business processes.
Preparing Your Team for the Change – “Moving On Up” by Primal Scream
Get your team out of the darkness of the organization’s current processes and shine a light on why the change will benefit employees and the business. A strong change management plan communicates to the right people at the right time in the right way, measures success through change analytics, and encourages incorporating feedback from stakeholders and end users. Avaap Practice Director Cheri Sagona recently shared smart things change leaders do to make change efforts successful. Use these actions to incorporate into your change strategy for better results.
Managing the Technical Side of the Project – “Takin’ Care of Business” by Bachman Turner-Overdrive
A new ERP is an opportunity to transform the way people and processes work, and for your organization to operate as a system with meaningful collaboration across departments and business units. Strong project management requires a dedicated team that understands the vision and ensures the project aligns with the strategic intent. Many organizations don’t have the skills, experience, or resources in-house to manage a complex project like ERP, and work with a third-party that understands the importance of integrating the system across the business and can guide your organization through the process.
End User Training – “Learning to Fly” by Foo Fighters
As the project approaches go-live, it’s time to get end users ready to fly. Identify which employees, managers, and other stakeholders will need training, and at what level. What skills will they need during the change and to support adoption going forward? Do they have the documents and equipment they need? Resources for additional help? Access to detailed training and the latest documentation can help your team feel confident using the new system rather than revert to old habits.
Go-Live – “Celebrate” by Pitbull
Go-live is a big deal! It takes a lot of work to get to the finish line, and in the words of Pitbull, we’re making history. When mapping out your project, it is important to build celebrations into the mix. Happy hours or team dinners, gifts or gift cards, and virtual game get togethers are just a few options to reward your team for their hard work and incentive to keep up momentum after the go-live.
Maintaining Your Systems and Realizing ROI – “Getting Better” by The Beatles
The go-live is just the beginning of your transformation! It is important to have a post-implementation maintenance plan to make sure the system gets better, all the time. Bringing on a certified application managed services (AMS) partner can help you uncover new features and functionalities, manage updates and feature releases, and ensure sustained success of your investment.
Use Your Data to Your Advantage – “Check Yo Self” by Ice Cube
You might need to find the clean version to play in the workplace, but Ice Cube has a point. You gotta check yourself before you wreck yourself, and what better way than to have data to understand how your transformation is being received, what is going well, and where adjustments need to be made. To maintain the momentum of change, it’s important to create a culture of data and grow a data-informed mindset.
Go Forward – “You Make My Dreams (Come True)” by Hall and Oates
Time to enjoy your team’s hard work and your new ERP! The vision is realized, and the team can leverage automation to advance strategic initiatives and the benefits of new ways of working.
Beginning your transformation journey? Let Avaap’s experts take the aux and help guide your team to success.