Why “Big Bang” ERP Implementations Aren't Always the Answer ??

Let's talk about a costly approach in ERP implementations: the "Big Bang" approach. You've probably heard about: "Go live all at once! Save time! Save money!"

But here's what I experienced across 25 years of ERP implementations:

• Most executives (65%) believe ERP systems might hurt their business.
• Only 26% of companies successfully used the "Big Bang"’ approach.
• Most companies underestimate the organizational shock a new ERP can cause, which can put a massive strain on the entire organization.?

A “Big Bang” rollout and golive forces everyone within the company to learn the new system simultaneously, with the danger of massive disruptions during the first days or weeks (yes, I saw that a few times - and it was VERY painful). The support teams got overwhelmed, productivity took a nosedive, employees became super frustrated, and customers got pi***d.

Is there an alternative? ?? Yes. Consider a phased rollout and golive module by module, department by department, and/or location by location. When I worked at Nestle (many years ago), their first launch of a new ERP happened in a small country far from Switzerland.

Benefits of a phased rollout I've seen firsthand:

• Lower risk profile with fewer (to none) business disruptions
• Manageable learning curve for the organization and better user adoption
• Lessons learned from each phase

Remember: An ERP implementation isn't a race. It's a journey. Sometimes, being slower becomes really faster.

What's your experience with different implementation approaches? Share your thoughts below! ??

#ERPImplementation #DigitalTransformation #ChangeManagement #BigBang