{"id":2824,"date":"2010-09-09T16:49:15","date_gmt":"2010-09-09T20:49:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.solidworks.com\/delmiaworks\/top-three-things-that-hurt-a-manufacturing-erp-implementation\/"},"modified":"2010-09-09T16:49:15","modified_gmt":"2010-09-09T20:49:15","slug":"top-three-things-that-hurt-a-manufacturing-erp-implementation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.solidworks.com\/delmiaworks\/top-three-things-that-hurt-a-manufacturing-erp-implementation\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Three Things That Hurt a Manufacturing ERP Implementation"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Top<\/a>You have bought or are close to buying new manufacturing ERP software.\u00a0 Hopefully it is EnterpriseIQ<\/a> from IQMS<\/a>\u00a0but perhaps not.\u00a0 When planning and laying out the next steps, sometimes the best way to attain success is to plan with failure in mind.\u00a0 Now that might sound like an odd statement but if you think about the key areas that can fail an implementation and are up front in avoiding those areas, your success is more attainable.\u00a0 So, independent of the software you chose, in talking with\u00a0our customers and many prospects, here are the top three things I see as something that can effectively kill an implementation.\u00a0 Surprisingly enough, these items are often overlooked as important and therefore are hazards for many organizations.<\/p>\n

Top 3 ERP Implementation Hazards<\/h2>\n

No. 3: \u00a0Lack of Involvement of Team Members<\/strong>
\nBelieve it or not, this may start before the ERP selection process begins but can extend beyond a purchase and into implementation<\/a> and actual usage of an ERP system.\u00a0 You most likely have key members from various departments within your organization.\u00a0 You have accounting<\/a>, customer service, manufacturing, executives, and possibly tooling<\/a>\u00a0or any number of other departments.\u00a0 Involve them in the process – the entire process!\u00a0 Ask for wish lists ahead of any RFI.\u00a0 Ask them to sit in on various aspects of sales demonstrations.\u00a0 Ask for their vote on the software.\u00a0 And most importantly, ask for their commitment to implementing.\u00a0 This means guaranteeing they will make their schedule clear for team meetings, data entry, process flow meetings, conference room pilots, and training their employees.\u00a0 These key employees may not have final decision on many aspects of the implementation but making them feel a part of the process and listening to their ideas will not only give them more ownership but will\u00a0boost the teamwork mentality that is needed during change.<\/p>\n

No. 2: \u00a0No Communication<\/strong>
\nChange is often one of the things people continually say they dislike\u00a0the most.\u00a0 Changing\u00a0ERP systems often\u00a0brings change of process, change of inventory<\/a>, change of attitudes – basically big change in jobs and job performance for many.\u00a0 Keeping lines of communication open can help people – even if they aren’t key department managers – feel like they are part of the whole project.\u00a0 Have regular email updates on phases of the implementation, note the go-live goal date, provide next steps for the various departments and more.\u00a0 Some companies have been successful in creating a company newsletter<\/a>\u00a0that is specifically focused on the implementation.\u00a0 They key is that everyone knows what is going on, can offer to assist, but also works toward the same goal.\u00a0 Empower employees through communication.<\/p>\n

No. 1: \u00a0No Management Enforcement\/Buy-In\/Participation<\/strong>
\nBy far, the number one reason for a failed implementation\u00a0(independent of the fit and function of the ERP software) is lack of management enforcement,\u00a0buy-in or participation.\u00a0 In ERP implementation a “hands-off” approach by management is not ideal.\u00a0 This is not to say they should be micro-managing the project but, like many things in life, leading by example is one of the best motivators for others.\u00a0 If management doesn’t check-in on the progress, doesn’t seem interested in the successes, and isn’t also involved in the process, employees see that as disinterest.\u00a0 The mentality then becomes “If management is not interested then\u00a0why should we, the employees, care?”\u00a0 When it comes to management participation, perception becomes reality to employees.\u00a0 Management should be present at meetings, should meter out consequences when failures in time line occur, and should offer congratulations when goals are met.\u00a0 Be active participants in the implementation!<\/p>\n

By no means are these three items the only causes for delays and problems in implementations.\u00a0 In addition, in rare instances, companies might see all these within their facility and yet\u00a0still have a successful implementation.\u00a0 There are always exceptions.\u00a0 However, as a general rule, when determining how to go about the selection, implementation, and continued use of a new ERP software, these are some good guidelines to avoid pitfalls other companies have met.<\/p>\n

What are some successes or failures your company has seen – outside the scope of the ERP software?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You have bought or are close to buying new manufacturing ERP software.\u00a0 Hopefully it is EnterpriseIQ from IQMS\u00a0but perhaps not.\u00a0 When planning and laying out the next steps, sometimes the best way to attain success is to plan with failure<\/p>\n... Continued<\/a>","protected":false},"author":551,"featured_media":2825,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[25,1],"tags":[111],"class_list":["post-2824","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-posts","category-uncategorized","tag-erp-implementation"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.solidworks.com\/delmiaworks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2824","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.solidworks.com\/delmiaworks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.solidworks.com\/delmiaworks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.solidworks.com\/delmiaworks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/551"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.solidworks.com\/delmiaworks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2824"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.solidworks.com\/delmiaworks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2824\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.solidworks.com\/delmiaworks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2825"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.solidworks.com\/delmiaworks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2824"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.solidworks.com\/delmiaworks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2824"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.solidworks.com\/delmiaworks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2824"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}