Microsoft Dynamics GP Implementation: Theoretical and Practical Insights on the Project Life Cycle, Part 1

Implementing a new ERP solution stands among the most critical and crucial projects in the life of an organization.  It requires a high level of strategic planning, use of change management techniques, and considerable allocation of human resources in order to meet expectations and achieve the desired results. Such a project encompasses a wide range of business processes and might accordingly affect how people perform their daily work.

Depending on the implementation methodology, project structures for ERP projects can vary greatly. Understanding the different stages of an ERP implementation project is essential to achieving a successful implementation and meeting the project expectations. In a new multi-part article, we will look at some of the typical ERP project stages and explore how companies that select Microsoft Dynamics GP can use best practices in areas like data migration, gap analysis, user adoption, and reporting to maintain a focus on business outcomes and not on technology.

Despite of the fact that implementation methods vary widely, typical implementation phases are well understood. The life cycle of the ERP project starts with the assessment and requirement elicitation, followed by a gap analysis and scoping, systems deployment and process reengineering, systems training, go-live and support.

Requirements elicitation and project assessment is the core essence of the ERP implementation. In this stage, both the current situation and the business needs are thoroughly addressed.  Although the overall broad lines of the client requirements should have been considered at earlier phases prior to the implementation, this phase digs far deeper into the tiny details of the various business functions. Different consultants have different approaches in conducting this phase, generally all of the approaches are categorized either as business oriented or system oriented. Being business-driven implies putting the interests of the business first ...