Going Live: A Checklist for

ERP Implementation Success

Everyone wants an ERP implementation project to go live successfully. No one wants

to go through the trouble of purchasing a new software system … only to have the
implementation fail.

Luckily, the failures can be avoided. There are precise steps you can follow to give yourself
the best possible chance for a successful ERP project. We have compiled them into this
Checklist for ERP Implementation Success to assist you with the process.
ERP Implementation Preparation
CLEAN YOUR DATA
This can include such things as organizing and preparing files to be pulled out of legacy
systems. The more organized your data, the smoother the migration into the new system.

GET YOUR TEAM IN PLACE

Find the crucial people you will need on your implementation team, and make sure they
adjust their schedules as necessary to work on the project.

SET UP A WEEKLY MEETING WITH YOUR IMPLEMENTATION TEAM

Those who need to meet weekly include the Project Manager, subject matter experts, and
anyone else involved in the project.

LINE UP RESOURCES
In addition to the project team leads, you will also need to utilize various resources across
your company. To find out which resources you need, determine which departments will
be affected by the new software, as well as who will need to use and test the software to
ensure it is working. These are the people who will need to available for some phases of
your project.

START COMMUNICATING EARLY

It is important to get communication going early and often in an ERP implementation
project. This starts even before the project is underway. Make a list of who will need
updates about the project and a schedule of when those updates will be sent.

CREATE A BUFFER
You should have a buffer of approximately 25% in the timeline and budget before starting
a project. Beginning a project with a tight timeline and budget will not work. If you are
unable to add a buffer of 25%, do not begin the project until you can do so.
 ERP Implementation Planning

“
ENSURE FULL UNDERSTANDING OF THE NEW ERP

Getting all impacted stakeholders on Before making your implementation project plan, be sure you fully understand the
product and all of its features. If you have any questions about the new ERP, contact your

board with the new ERP is one of the first implementation partner and get the information you need. You should be prepared to
answer questions from others in your organization about the product.

steps in ensuring a successful project. GET EVERYONE’S AGREEMENT

Getting all impacted stakeholders on board with the new ERP is one of the first steps to
ensuring a successful project. If anyone disagrees with the need for new software, provide
them with as much information as you can so that they understand why an update is
necessary.

MAKE A LIST OF EVERY STEP TO BE DONE

Using the list of phases below, make your own implementation plan. This is meant to be a
general plan, and it can be changed or updated as you move into the project.

- Establish - Training
- Initiate - Integration
- Analyze - Deployment
- Design - Change Management
- Configure - Data Migration
- UAT (User Acceptance Testing) - Project Management (ongoing)

MEET WITH SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS

To further clarify your implementation plan, meet with anyone in your organization who
is a subject matter expert in the area where the new software will be implemented. Get
their input on the phases of the plan that apply to them.

GET YOUR IMPLEMENTATION PARTNER’S PLAN

Your implementation partner should also have an ERP project plan. While this will not be
your plan, you need to know what is on it. There will be steps for you and your team to
complete, and if those items aren’t already on your plan, you will need to add them.

MAKE YOUR FINAL PLAN

Though changes are bound to occur during any implementation, it remains vital to have a
final plan in place before you begin.
Understanding ERP Implementation Phases
ESTABLISH THE PROJECT
Establishment must come before all other steps. It can be as simple as an email from
the CEO to the CFO with approval to start the implementation, or a signed contract to
purchase the new software.

INITIATE THE PROJECT

The project truly begins: an ERP implementation team is formed, gets organized, and
starts gathering data. This phase will include informing everyone who needs to know that
a new software system is going to be implemented.

ANALYZE NEEDS
In this phase, you find out what is needed from the new software from every area of
the company that will be using it. This will also include the creation of a Requirements
document by upper management to confirm what is required from the project.

DESIGN THE SOFTWARE

This phase is typically completed by the developers designing the software, and it involves
CHANGE MANAGEMENT
a lot of communication to ensure all requirements are put into the new ERP.
Change Management refers to assisting people make the move to a new ERP. This
CONFIGURE THE SOFTWARE includes getting everyone in the company on board with the idea of getting new software
Configuration happens when technical people start setting up the new software with the and helping them through barriers to trying to adapt to new software.
specific items your company needs. This phase can run concurrently to the design phase,
DATA MIGRATION
and it can involve such things as creating a special kind of purchase order form.
Data Migration simply means moving data from the old system to the new ERP. This could
CONDUCT USER ACCEPTANCE TESTING include customer files, shipping orders, or accounting data. Preparation for this phase can
UAT involves choosing the right people for testing the new product. It is important to pick and should happen early in the project.
subject matter experts who will actually be using the software.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
TRAIN USERS Project Management encompasses all of the actions taken to ensure goals are achieved
Training occurs after testing. While only a few key people may be doing the testing, and requirements are met. It starts the moment an ERP implementation project is begun,
training must occur with everyone who will be utilizing the new software system. and project managers ensure that each of the phases are planned for and completed.

INTEGRATE THE SOFTWARE DEPLOY THE SOFTWARE

In this phase, the new system will be further set up so that it integrates (or communicates) When the new product is launched and goes live, after every phase above has been
with other software – such as sending accounting data directly to a financial institution. completed successfully, the software can be deployed.
ERP Advisors Group is one of the country’s top independent enterprise software advisory
firms. Our consultants only work on enterprise software selections and implementations.
Therefore, they are experts in conducting software selections and know the pitfalls to avoid as
they guide our clients to a successful go-live.

ERP Advisors Group made the Inc. 5000 for two years in a row as one of America’s fastest-
growing private companies.

You will find our consultants care deeply about your project and are vested as much as you are
in making it a success. Ultimately, we will do just about anything to make sure you are a success!

Make sure your next ERP is the right one. When you contact ERP Advisors Group for a
consultation, you will be greeted by an experienced member of the team who understands the
reasons why CFOs, CIOs, and Controllers and Directors of IT are considering new software. You
will NOT be meeting with an entry-level sales person.

Don’t risk an ERP implementation failure, costing your organization wasted hours and wasted
funds. Contact ERP Advisors Group today to speak with one of our expert consultants.

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