Atstratus: Your Trusted ERP Partner
Are you gearing up for a game-changing NetSuite ERP implementation? Exciting times lie ahead, but it's essential to tread carefully. ERP projects demand meticulous planning, a stellar team, and a hands-on approach to thrive. This advisory article will guide you through 10 strategic steps to ensure your NetSuite journey is successful. Let's build a rock-solid foundation for your ERP adventure!
Step 1: Assemble a Great Implementation Team
Start by recruiting an A-team of internal champions. Handpick experts who know their departments inside out. These leaders should be revered by their colleagues and serve as subject matter experts (SMEs). Highlight your dream team by giving them a name and unique identifiers, such as lapel pins or shirts. This not only spotlights your chosen experts but fosters a sense of ownership. You will need at least one subject matter expert for every functional area – finance, supply chain, or resource management. These people from your side are designing your business operations within the NetSuite solution.
Step 2: Choose a Project Manager
Effective project management is the backbone of a successful ERP rollout. Appoint a dedicated project manager to guide your team through the journey. This role should not add to a C-level executive's existing responsibilities. The person you select should have three key competencies: maintain and execute delegated from CEO authority, clear and crisp communication style, and be structured and organized.
From our side, we will contribute an experienced NetSuite consulting project manager on board to ensure organized project delivery.
Step 3: Create and empower a Steering Committee
Quick decision-making is key during ERP implementations. Avoid bottlenecks by empowering a steering committee with the authority to make swift decisions. Ensure this committee has robust communication channels and collaboration tools to keep the project on track. Delegation of authority is very important; while critical milestone decisions may require the CEO CFO's involvement, the joint project team should have enough trust and power to progress with daily decisions quickly.
We at Atstratus dedicate particular focus at the beginning of the project to ensure that the steering committee project manager has the proper authority and abilities to drive the project. We are fully equipped to contribute with our knowledge and experience to offload project management or process design tasks; nevertheless, the end-result ownership and authority are to be kept on the client side.
Step 4: Write a Good Communications Plan
Communication is the lifeline of any ERP project. Follow professional project management practices like the responsible, accountable, consulted, and informed (RACI) matrix. Keep your team and stakeholders informed with regular updates, status reports, and exciting newsletters. Highlight the project's significance and its impact on the company's future.
We suggest using modern communications platforms, forums, chats, live conferences or videos and visually appealing messages to explain the project's purpose, importance and progress continuously. People at your organization are endlessly talented, and when they understand the rationale and contribute – the outcomes exceed the expectations in every endeavour you start.
Step 5: Keep It Simple!
Don't aim to solve all your challenges at once. Focus your Phase 1 NetSuite ERP implementation on essential processes. This simplification reduces risk, costs, and timelines while expediting success. Move financial processes first and prioritize activities that set you apart from the competition.
Unless there is a particular case, we recommend extending functional coverage of NetSuite implementation over time. Adopting and learning new business technology, new user interface (even if it is as great as in NetSuite), and new tuned processes require effort and time from your employees. Introducing a dozen modules at once can be a challenge from a readiness perspective.
Step 6: Celebrate the Milestones
Acknowledge your achievements along the way. Celebrate each milestone before moving to the next. A continuous focus solely on the go-live phase can lead to fatigue. Define milestones such as project kickoff, requirements sign-off, and initial configuration to keep spirits high.
Moreover, please prepare to celebrate your internal Champions. You will be surprised by what talents you have inside your organization. Recognition, a gift or even a monetary bonus for your project heroes are really best practices that we can not over-amplify.
Step 7: Choose and Train an Administrator
Identify a capable ERP administrator early in the project. They don't need prior NetSuite experience but should possess technological savvy, excellent communication skills, and the ability to collect and document requirements. This role is crucial for long-term success.
We will help get her or him up to speed, and if you are a large organization, train and build a team, so-called centre of expertise.
Step 8: Don’t Overlook User Training & Adoption
Swift implementation models have their benefits but might neglect proper software adoption. Invest in comprehensive training, including function-specific videos, live sessions, classroom training, practice guides, and well-executed User Acceptance Testing (UAT).
Employee readiness and training are integral parts of a successful project. Besides business applications, your team will refresh your knowledge and understanding of business processes and practices. Several best business process optimizations or improvements actually originated within training sessions. Your employees uncover new areas or “never thought it is possible” capabilities in dialogues with our consultants and enrich the solution's value.
Step 9: Optimize your ERP
ERP is an evolving tool. After Phase 1, transform your ERP into a powerful asset during Phase 2. Leverage user feedback, administrator expertise, and executive support to enhance your system's capabilities. Start planning for Phase 3 to become an industry leader.
While NetSuite is extremely capable business technology, we encourage you to keep it simple and to the purpose. It is easy to over-engineer your business with KPIs, controls and extensions; nevertheless, ensure that your leaders and people benefit and enjoy working with the system. We will provide the know-how to reduce mundane work and offload it to the technology and AI engines inside.
Step 10: Selecting an Implementation Partner
If you lack the internal skills for a NetSuite implementation, choose an experienced NetSuite Solution Provider. They will bring industry-leading best practices, reduce risks, and offer tailored services to meet your project's unique requirements. Please differentiate NetSuite license reseller partners that may secure you a product discount and an implementation partner. While both types of partners work with Oracle, NetSuite only second develops implementation expertise.
Needless to say, we will be honoured to be on your evaluation list.
By following these ten strategic steps, you're poised for ERP success. Place the right people in the right roles, conduct thorough groundwork, celebrate achievements, and optimize your ERP system for enduring value. At Atstratus, we're here to be your trusted partner on this transformative journey. Let's unlock the full potential of NetSuite ERP together!
