ERP Success

ERP Enterprise Performance Management Best Practice Steps to Success

If you’re thinking about implementing an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) software package, consider some best practices before you do so.  The first best practice is to consider your business model and your need for an ERP EPM solution.  Determine which business problems will be solved and which objectives will be met with an ERP EPM solution.  You also need to determine how much your company will grow and where it will be in the next five years. 

The next best practice is to get buy-in.  Make sure upper management, middle management and other employees are well informed.  It’s always best to get their input.  Good communication with all members of your organization helps when your implementation is ready to begin.  It prepares your employees for what’s to come and allows them to share business objective.

The next best practice is to choose a solution that is easy to use and find an ERP EPM vendor that you work well with.  Team up with the best ERP EPM vendor that suits your business needs.  Make sure you understand the functionality you need and the functionality the EPM ERP system includes.  Attempt to find a capable and user-friendly solution.  Why spend tons of money only to have a technically and functionally challenging solution?  You don’t want to have to spend weeks in class trying to understand simple tasks.  And, you don’t want your employees to have to do the same. 

Another best practice is to implement your Enterprise Resource Planning Enterprise Performance Management system in increments.  Don’t bombard employees with a huge change if possible.  Implement a change strategy to prepare employees.  Let them know how it’s going to work and what is expected of them.  This best practice is especially important if you’re implementing an entire ERP solution.

Be realistic when you plan your implementation goals.  For instance, remember that implementations typically take longer than expected do to unrealized issues.    Plan an implementation budget so that you may hire expert implementation folks to help.  Budget enough money so that you and your employees may receive any necessary training.

Once your Enterprise Resource Planning Enterprise Performance Management system is up and running, measure your return on investment.  It will probably take several years to see such a return but measuring your progress is a good business practice.  Ask yourself if you’re meeting or exceeding your goals with your new ERP EPM solution.  

Written by :

kristine H