Maximizing your ERP implementation.

• Author: Melbye, David A.
• Position: Solutions - Enterprise resource planning

Together, ERP implementation and business process analysis can achieve ambitious goals like automating existing business processes and providing better access to information.

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) projects are often undertaken to reduce costs, improve daily operations, support financial transparency and accountability, and improve internal and external customer service. An ERP implementation's power to promote positive change rises exponentially when it is combined with a thorough business process analysis--an exercise in which project teams look for opportunities to streamline activities, reduce errors, and improve the user experience. Together, ERP implementation and business process analysis can achieve ambitious goals like automating existing business processes and providing better access to information.

THE ORDER OF OPERATIONS

The best time for most governments to perform business process analysis is before an ERP implementation. Since new software is typically flexible and highly configurable, it is a good idea to have a clear picture of what the organization needs that software to do. Having clear parameters and processes goes a long way toward assuring a successful implementation.

However, for various reasons, it's not always possible to perform business process analysis as a first step. Even for organizations that do, some struggle with their approach. Sometimes the necessary skills aren't in place. At other times, governments may wrestle with time constraints like failing hardware, expiring software, or responding to audit findings.

For organizations that experience delays or struggles with process improvement, all is not lost. It is also possible to perform the analysis alongside an implementation effort. This article describes a step-by-step process for conducting a business process analysis, regardless of when it takes place.

STEP I: CREATE (AND PRIORITIZE) A PROCESS INVENTORY

It's best to take a thoughtful approach to implementing the new features and functions provided by a software solution. A little planning will help your team make the most of the new system's capabilities.

As with any other transformation initiative, it is important to understand what changes will have the greatest impact on the organization, and focus resources in those areas first.

Begin by bringing together the leaders of the business areas that will be affected by the ERP implementation, then outlining the processes the project is...