ERP Implementation Manifesto

 We follow these principles:

• An ERP implementation is the implementation of a business solution.

• A business solution is composed of people, business processes, and technology.  People are the most important component of a business solution.

• The implementation of a business solution requires multiple methodologies to be employed (project management, software development, organizational change management, business process management, quality management).  One methodology cannot effectively cover all the required disciplines.

• Technology alone does not mature a business model.

• Decisions – not documents – move implementations forward.

• Our key objective is to assure customer success through early and continuous delivery of value-add business solutions.

• Welcome differentiated business requirements, even late in the implementation cycle.  Rapid, iterative processes take advantage of change for the customer’s competitive advantage.

• Competitive advantage only comes from revenue-generating business processes.

• Customers must adapt their expectations of how software supports business to effectively leverage ERP.

• Proactively eliminate non-value-add business requirements from the requirements management process.

• Maximizing delivered “Out-Of-The-Box” ERP functionality is key to Return On Investment.  ERP makes for an expensive custom solution.

• Knowledge transfer is the greatest value an implementation partner can provide to a customer.   A knowledge transfer process should be formally defined and measured.

• Implementation partners should enable customers to lead during the implementation by employing a progressive leadership style.

•  The only viable solution is a managable solution.

•  Better to learn DURING the implementation rather than AFTER the implementation.

 These principles are derived from my book

Maximize Your Investment: 10 Key Strategies for Effective Packaged Software Implementations