What do you do if an implementation is veering off course? 

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Identifying and fixing an ERP implementation that is veering off course is crucial for the success of the project and to ensure that investments of time, money, and resources are not squandered. Every ERP implementation is unique, and the specific challenges one project faces might differ from another. Here is a list of suggestions: 

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• Early Detection through Monitoring: Regularly review KPIs to measure project progress and health. Hold frequent project review meetings with project managers, stakeholders, and the core team. Create mechanisms where team members can voice concerns or raise red flags.  

• Root Cause Analysis Fishbone Diagrams/Ishikawa: Use this tool to trace back the causes of the issues. Analyze the project's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Sometimes, frontline workers and team members possess insights into what is going wrong that managers might miss. 

• Open Communication: Be open about the challenges with stakeholders and the entire project team. Keep key stakeholders in the loop, ensuring their concerns are addressed and seeking their guidance. 

• Revisit the Project Scope: One common reason for implementations going astray is the expansion of the project's scope over time without appropriate adjustments in resources or timelines. Cut down or adjust the scope to fit the constraints. 

• Training and Skill Enhancement: Check if the team has the necessary expertise. If there is a knowledge gap, arrange for training or bring in external consultants. 

• Engage with the Vendor: Work closely with the ERP software vendor; they might have solutions or suggestions based on other clients' experiences. 

• Support: Check if additional support, tools, or resources are available from the vendor. 

• Revise the Implementation Strategy: Instead of a "big bang" approach, consider breaking the implementation into smaller, more manageable phases. Test the ERP system in one department or location before a full-scale rollout. 

• Risk Management: Evaluate all potential risks and create a contingency plan. Ensure that the project has adequate resources (time, budget, personnel) to address risks. 

• Project Management Reinforcement: Consider establishing or strengthening a PMO to provide oversight and guidance. Engage third-party consultants or experts to review and recommend corrections. 

• Continuous Feedback and Iteration: Establish regular channels for feedback from users, team members, and stakeholders. Implement changes in iterations, consistently refining and improving. 

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