Deploying any level of digital technology is a significant endeavor, and the success (or failure) begins and ends with the leadership team.
While chief executives may be tempted to step back and delegate responsibilities due to their overwhelming workload, successful implementation requires complete executive buy-in from all stakeholders, including those in the C-Suite.
Industry experts believe that executives play an essential role and that implementation is more likely to succeed with a unified leadership team.
What is the executive's role in ERP implementation?
Active participation is critical for project success.
Leaders set the stage, communicate the vision to the entire organization, and steer the project throughout the project lifecycle.
ERP implementations go smoother when leaders assume these responsibilities:
Define the scope of the implementation
Share the vision and explain why the change is beneficial and necessary
Delegate the best resources with the right skill sets
Oversee costs, budgets, and critical timelines to ensure the project stays on track
Support and engage employees and ensure they are adequately trained
Executives make the best Project Champions
In any team-oriented environment, employees will take cues from their leaders.
Executives, particularly C-Suite ones, are project champions, driving support and enthusiasm. Remember, optimism, just like negativity, spreads from the top down!
Some team members will be less supportive and enthusiastic than others, whether due to reluctance to change, fear of job security, or other common emotions that arise from a project of this nature.
Likewise, negativity from senior management will spread like wildfire.
When leaders champion the cause, employees are more likely to embrace the new processes and functionality and leverage the technology to its full capacity.
The right training strategies will increase adoption
An organization may implement the best digital technology in the world–yet it will be useless if the workforce isn't adequately trained.
Leaders who support employees by providing sufficient training are more likely to see the most value and benefits of their new system.
Most significant problems in digital technology implementations are connected to people-related issues–not the technology itself.
Here's what leaders can do to help increase user adoption:
Provide an adequate budget for training and include the time employees will be taken away from their core responsibilities
Allow time to learn; start training early and build in reinforcement training a few weeks after the release date
Communicate openly about the reasons for change, its impact on jobs, and the long-term benefits
Planning for Success
Success doesn’t happen by chance.
Getting a new system up and running takes dedication and hard work.
And while executive buy-in and involvement are essential, it’s equally vital to collaborate with a partner who understands your industry and business objectives.
Experienced technology partners like Dynamics Success Group offer a practical implementation methodology.
Dynamics Success Group has extensive experience deploying Microsoft-powered solutions across various industry sectors.
Engaging Dynamics Success Group ensures your organization benefits from industry-specific insights and optimal technology utilization.
Ready to engage your C-Suite in your ERP implementation?
Dynamics Success Group's expert consultants can help you engage your executive leadership team and guide you to a successful ERP implementation – and a more efficient and profitable organization.
About the Author
Dynamics Success Group is an experienced Microsoft Value Added Reseller and consulting partner that provides Microsoft ERP and CRM solutions to small and mid-sized business clients in North America.
We empower organizations like yours to compete better, improve work processes, and make informed decisions.
For 25+ years, we've transformed hundreds of companies to achieve more, using fewer resources while reducing costs.
We love solving business problems with technology.