How can you improve ERP system use for your staff and stakeholders?

1 Assess your needs and goals

Before you choose or upgrade your ERP system, you need to have a clear understanding of your business needs and goals. What are the pain points and gaps in your current processes? What are the objectives and expectations of your ERP system? How will you measure the success and impact of your ERP system? By answering these questions, you can define the scope and requirements of your ERP system and align them with your strategic vision.

2 Involve your users and stakeholders

One of the common reasons for ERP system failure is the lack of user involvement and stakeholder buy-in. You need to engage your users and stakeholders throughout the ERP system lifecycle, from planning and design to testing and training. You need to communicate the benefits and challenges of the ERP system, solicit feedback and suggestions, and address any concerns or issues. You also need to provide adequate training and support to help your users and stakeholders adopt and use the ERP system effectively.

3 Customize and optimize your ERP system

No ERP system is perfect or one-size-fits-all. You may need to customize and optimize your ERP system to suit your specific business needs and preferences. You can do this by configuring the settings, features, and functions of your ERP system, or by integrating it with other software applications or tools. However, you should be careful not to over-customize or over-optimize your ERP system, as this may compromise its performance, security, and compatibility.

4 Monitor and evaluate your ERP system

To ensure that your ERP system is delivering the expected results and benefits, you need to monitor and evaluate it regularly. You need to collect and analyze data on the usage, performance, and outcomes of your ERP system, and compare them with your predefined metrics and indicators. You also need to identify and resolve any problems or issues that may arise, such as technical glitches, user errors, or process inefficiencies.

5 Update and improve your ERP system

Technology and business environments are constantly changing and evolving. You need to keep your ERP system up to date and relevant to your current and future needs. You need to update and improve your ERP system by installing the latest patches, upgrades, and enhancements, or by switching to a newer or better version or vendor. You also need to review and revise your ERP system processes and policies to reflect the changes and improvements in your ERP system.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?