ERP software is a powerful tool that can help you plan, execute, and monitor your projects across different departments and functions. But how do you customize it to fit your specific needs and preferences? In this article, we will show you some of the steps and tips to tailor your ERP software to manage project timelines effectively and efficiently.
Before you start customizing your ERP software, you need to have a clear understanding of your project goals, scope, deliverables, resources, and risks. This will help you define the key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics that you want to track and measure throughout the project lifecycle. You also need to identify the stakeholders, roles, and responsibilities involved in the project, as well as the communication and reporting channels.
ERP software typically consists of various modules that cover different aspects of your business processes, such as accounting, inventory, sales, human resources, and more. Depending on the nature and complexity of your project, you may need to use some or all of these modules, or even integrate them with other software applications. You should choose the ERP modules that best suit your project needs and objectives, and avoid unnecessary or redundant features that may clutter your system and increase your costs.
Once you have selected the ERP modules that you want to use for your project, you need to configure the project settings to match your preferences and specifications. This may include setting up the project name, code, description, start and end dates, budget, currency, status, and priority. You may also need to define the project phases, tasks, subtasks, dependencies, milestones, and deadlines. You can also assign the project team members, roles, and permissions, and specify the billing and invoicing methods.
One of the most important features of ERP software is the project dashboard, which gives you a visual overview of your project progress, performance, and status. You can customize your project dashboard to display the information and data that are most relevant and useful for you and your stakeholders. You can choose from different types of charts, graphs, tables, and widgets to show the project KPIs, metrics, variances, issues, risks, and alerts. You can also filter, sort, group, and drill down the data to get more insights and details.
Another way to customize your ERP software to manage project timelines is to automate the project workflows and processes. This can help you save time, reduce errors, improve efficiency, and ensure consistency. You can use the built-in or custom workflow tools in your ERP software to create, edit, and execute the workflows that match your project requirements and standards. You can also set up triggers, conditions, actions, and notifications to automate the tasks, approvals, reminders, and updates.
Finally, you should be able to adjust the project parameters as needed throughout the project lifecycle. This means that you can modify the project settings, modules, dashboard, and workflows according to the changes in the project scope, schedule, budget, quality, or risks. You can also add, edit, or delete the project data and records as required. You should also monitor and evaluate the project performance and outcomes, and use the feedback and lessons learned to improve your ERP software customization for future projects.
Time to Value analysis is to me the most relevant way to structure your ERP adoption and timeline. Past those multi-year ERP implementations and monolithic architecture, the focus is on the end-to-end processes and the value for the end-user, to make them more efficient. These days, rather than the big bang approach (which might still make sense in some cases) the phased implementation brings value faster and decreases the risk of an ERP deployment.
Identify and prioritize quick wins from the backlog. Demonstrating early successes can motivate users and build confidence in the system's capabilities.
Most of the times in ERP projects, the customer requirements are continuously changing. Therefore, it will be a very difficult task to manage implement the ERP project on time. Normally if customer requirements are not managed properly, the project will go for extended time lines. Therefore, the best option would be to discuss this concern with the customer and try to set deliveries satisfying the Go Live deadlines. In those deliveries there may be customizations included. It will be an easy task for you for the vendor to manage the customizations on time for the delivery. Communication is strictly important in these times, also in advance.