Companies require access to real-time data throughout their organization – which is why many businesses are choosing integrated business management solutions when it’s time for new software. While there are numerous benefits to having such a system, the implementation process is far from easy.

Avoiding the following 8 deadly sins of implementing a business management solution can ease the anxiety and pain of an implementation.

1. Misunderstanding the Purpose of a Business Management Solution

There are many business management solutions available, and if you’re not careful, you’ll end up investing in a solution that’s outside the scope of your needs. Do some research before you make a choice – why do business management systems exist, how have they helped other businesses, and will they operate within your expectations?

2. Lack of “Buy-in” from Senior Management

Is your senior management not fully aware of what a business management solution implementation entails? Are they skeptical about the project? If this is the case, they may be reluctant to allocate the time, resources, and budget you need to have a successful implementation.

3. Choosing the Wrong System

Take the time to write down the reasons you’re investing in business management software and the functions you’d like it to perform. Then find a system that performs all those functions; otherwise, you’ll invest in a solution that doesn’t satisfy the distinctive needs of your business.

4. Overlooking the Need for Strong Project Management

As we’ve mentioned, implementing a business management solution is a significant undertaking, and not taking that into account when choosing the project management team is a mistake. You’ll need strong, 

proactive leaders with good communication skills to make the implementation a success.

5. Garbage in – Garbage Out

Implementing a business management solution is not starting over. It’s new software, yes, but the data you’ll transfer into it will be the same data you were using in the old software, and a system is only as good as the data you feed it.

6. Ignoring the Team

Every person, in every department, in every facet of your organization will be using the business management solution. Don’t fail to take into account the perspective of all your employees, not just those who are a direct part of the implementation process. Be clear about the way their day-to-day jobs will be affected, and be sure to offer plenty of training on the new system.

7. IT

As above, remember that this is a whole business endeavor and not just an information technology department undertaking.

8. Managing Expectations

Business management solutions are a hefty investment of time, money, and resources, and implementations will not take place quickly or without bumps in the process. Knowing this in advance and not having unrealistic expectations will save you a lot of grief when the project seems to be taking too long.

While, as a project manager, I feel that deadly sin #4 is most important, all of these sins could take what would be a very successful business management solution implementation and lead it to failure. Perception is reality, and if even a small department within the company is unhappy, the project was a failure.

In following blogs, I will dig deeper into each of the deadly sins to give you valuable insight on combatting the pain points of business management solution implementations.

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