Effective ERP Project Management:
Amit Sobti
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Amit Sobti
Novasoft | Top Voice ERP | IIM Calcutta | Microsoft | Scaling Leader | B2B / B2C -SAAS | Partnerships | AI | ERP | RETAIL | BI
- Knowing your team is first step in the Project Management. Know the people you are going to execute this new important project. Know their skills, week and strong areas. Make sure to understand their professional goals like one team member who would be working as a Consultant on Microsoft Dynamics Axapta project would like to be principle consultant or project manager in two years down the line. Make sure your project is enabling him/her to reach that goal. If team members gets a message this project will help him/her in Career progressing then his self drive will not only ensure his knowledge up-skill but also project success.
- BAD LEADER CAN'T BE GOOD PROJECT MANAGER. A person who fails to inspire people, not connected with people and lack team building capability - avoid him for PM role.
- Project Management is different from CONSULTING & equally important. Historically, a senior consultant becomes Project Manager of ERP Implementations. These Project Managers may lack planning skills and ambition to drive projects. Make sure you choose a person who possess ample PM qualities to lead the show.
- Knowing technology is as important as KNOWING STAKEHOLDERS and Business of the client. Let us be clear, there is no single formula for success of ERP projects. All these practices reduces risk of failure.You need to be connected with the stakeholders - You should touch base with them when things going right and should have connection to go back to them and seek support when things going bad. Make sure you understand their business; you will gain respect when you speak in their language and show concerns in their business area.
- Review the proceedings when its going GOOD. This will avoid things going BAD Don't fail to plan reviews in the first place. Secondly, don't fail to conduct reviews and participate in them. Make a team with customer project manager and guide project through various up and downs.
- Organize steering committee meetings. A Vehicle without Steering HEADS NOWHERE
REMEMBER, Steering committee has initiated or sponsored this ERP Project. Stay connected with them. Share status, plan, risks and take inputs on key decision points. - Its advisable to follow standard implementation guidelines from Microsoft, SAP etc. Why to re-invent the wheel!!! Biggies have done it. You need to apply it in your practical world. Minor adjustments of Standard implementation guidelines are fine to have. You may make few tweaking here or there
Practice Head - Retail & Digital Commerce |Ex- Flemingo |Ex- ETP |Ex-HCL Infosystems
9 年Good One !!
Novasoft | Top Voice ERP | IIM Calcutta | Microsoft | Scaling Leader | B2B / B2C -SAAS | Partnerships | AI | ERP | RETAIL | BI
9 年Thanks Arti for the feedback Yes, we also grew like that...I just wanted to emphasise on effective project Management
Doctoral Scholar at SPJIMR (Information Management) | Lead Partner at SVP India | Advisory Board Member
9 年Great points!!! Regarding point #3 - I slightly differ on this - Consultant or business analyst can be a good project manager if he / she is systematic and understand the concept of project management.
Novasoft | Top Voice ERP | IIM Calcutta | Microsoft | Scaling Leader | B2B / B2C -SAAS | Partnerships | AI | ERP | RETAIL | BI
10 年Thanks Rahul for feedback. Generally people have their own way of implementation which opens more doors for errors. Yes you are right on innovation but on proven foundation. Great to have feedback
Program Manager | ERP Consultant (Microsoft Dynamics NAV/D365/Business Central| Manufacturing ERP | XLRI | Ex Make my trip, Mphasis
10 年good & practical points