Discuss the critical success factors required for the successful implementation of ERP in a company

 For the implementation of any project in the world, there can be very important critical factors exist which ensure the successful development and implementation of the project. In a similar context, the ERP system which is a very large and complex system in the world also has some critical factors for its successful implementation in the company. In this document, some very important critical factors are discussed because the implementation of ERP is a very complex and difficult task (Umble, Haft, & Umble, 2003). There are nine different types of the critical factors identified in the research which are:

1.      The clear understanding of strategic goals

2.      Commitment by top management

3.      Excellent project management

4.      Organizational change management

5.      A great implementation team

6.      Data Accuracy

7.      Extensive education and Training

8.      Focused performance measures

9.      Multi-site issues

The list which is provided above is the critical success factors of the successful implementation of ERP in the company.

            In the very first point, the project manager must have a clear understanding of the strategic goals of the company, its operations as well as a better understanding of the criticality of the business operations. It is because the understanding of goals will provide accurate data and direction that what the system should do.

            The strong relationship, participation, and commitment are required by the successful implementation through top management. Furthermore, the top management team must be committed and responsive in every phase of development and provide appropriate detail to developers because the commitment is the key to success.

            As the project of implementation of ERP is very critical to handle, it requires an effective and strong project management team and project management strategies because every development phase and activity is connected.

            In the organizational change management, the company must have to consider to bring change in the workplace and must have to educate the employees about the new system. They must be encouraged to use implemented modules to educate them and it will benefit to the testing team.

            The implementation team for this project must have the top-notch people who were selected based on their skills, reputation, past achievements as well as their excellent past experiences because they will have the knowledge to handle and manage critical situations.

            The data which is entered or inserted in the system by employees must be relevant to the business operations and must match with the field provided in the system. The data accuracy is important because inaccurate data can generate negative impacts on system operations.

            The implementation will be successful when the employees working in the company who will be the operators of ERP, educated properly and trained to operate the system and its functions. training is essential because of the complexity of the system.

            After implementation and training, the project team must have to test all of the components including integrated components of the system by applying testing principles on the system to check the performance and accuracy of ERP.

Reference of the critical success factors required for the successful implementation of ERP in a company

Umble, E. J., Haft, R. R., & Umble, M. M. (2003). Enterprise resource planning: Implementation procedures and critical success factors. European Journal of Operational Research, 241–257.