Think about how long your ERP implementation project took – probably a few months, right? Well, now is the time to get the most out of your investment. The post implementation strategy plan created during the testing phase should be in full swing at this point.
A continuous ERP improvement plan is a proactive approach where you are constantly reflecting upon business processes and identifying opportunities for improvement and growth. You’ve spent last past few months focusing on how to improve your business processes with your new ERP solution. Keep the momentum going by establishing a plan for continuous improvements. Forming a continuous improvement plan will capitalize on the value of your ERP solution.
Chances are that not every item on your initial requirements list was addressed during the implementation. However, those items deemed as ‘nice to have’ don’t disappear, they become the roadmap for forthcoming development. To achieve this effectively, you need a plan for capturing, prioritizing, and executing changes to your solution.
Continuous Improvement Plan:
- Establish a continuous improvement team. Just like your ERP implementation team, you want a group of 4-6 individuals who will provide feedback from various areas of business. This group will be responsible for gathering feedback from end-users, evaluating opportunities for improvement, prioritizing initiatives, and supervising the execution of modifications.
- Outline a process for evaluating opportunities. Some of the greatest ideas will come from your end-users. Determine how you want to gather these ideas and prioritize these opportunities. Be sure to identify the impact for each opportunity. Include the benefits, complexity, and cost.
- Consider process first. Your new ERP solution will be the focal point of your improvement actions. To get the greatest value of your solution, remember that processes drive the technology. Be sure to understand the business needs and properly map out the process prior to implementing modifications.
- Make data guided decisions. Your ERP solution will provide your with the visibility and data to identify genuine opportunities and measure improvements.
- Communicate with improvement team members. Similar to any other successful team, you need to communicate. Set up regular team meetings to discuss the condition of your ERP solution.
- Connect with your end-users. There’s nothing more frustrating to end-users than submitting an improvement idea and not hearing back or seeing movement. Think past the improvement team members and determine how you will connect with end-users about improvements being made, major projects, timelines, and the results achieved from these initiatives.
Not sure where to start with your continuous improvement plan?
ACC is here to help! We work closely with our clients to maximize their ERP investments long after implementation. Contact our support specialist to determine your next steps.
