You're navigating ERP upgrades. How can you maintain transparency and clarity in communication channels?
Upgrading your Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system can be a complex process that requires careful planning and communication. ERP systems are critical for managing a company's resources, and an upgrade can lead to significant improvements in efficiency and productivity. However, it's essential to maintain transparency and clarity in communication channels throughout the upgrade process to ensure a smooth transition and to keep all stakeholders informed. In this article, you'll learn how to navigate ERP upgrades effectively while keeping communication channels open and clear.
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Hylke BritstraTrainer (MCT) & Consultant (MCP) Dynamics AX / D365 FO at Mprise / MVP (F&O) Microsoft Business Applications
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Kunal SethiMicrosoft MVP | Global Technology Leader | LinkedIn Top Voice | GenAI | Dynamics 365 | Power Platform | Business…
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José RibasCo-founder at Where2Retail * Entrepreneur and Senior IT Professional
Before you dive into an ERP upgrade, it's crucial to assess your organization's needs. Gather input from various departments to understand the functionality gaps and performance issues with the current system. This step ensures that your upgrade aligns with the specific requirements of your business. By having a clear understanding of what you need from the upgrade, you can communicate these needs to your ERP provider and ensure that they are addressed during the process.
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Ensure that the organization has a key-user team that acts as a bridge between the ERP system and the user organization. Key-users are the ambassadors who can make suggestions for improvements in ERP on behalf of the users and support during the development. As ambassadors they can promote and transfer the realized upgrade and help users to adopt and use it. A well functioning key-user team can really be the 'key' to define the joint chain business needs for upgrades of ERP. Also this a key-user team can ensure a well-founded realization of the upgrade and a qualitative transfer to the business (users) of it.
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Conquer ERP Confusion: 1. Centralized Hub: Create a single source of truth (e.g., shared drive, project management tool) for updates, FAQs, and training materials. 2. Regular Updates: Schedule consistent communication (emails, meetings) to keep all stakeholders informed. 3. Multi-Channel Approach: Offer updates through diverse channels (email, video, in-person) for different preferences. 4. Encourage Questions: Foster an open environment where employees feel comfortable asking clarifying questions. 5. Feedback Mechanisms: Set up surveys or polls to gauge employee understanding and address concerns promptly. By maintaining clear and consistent communication, you'll ensure a smooth ERP upgrade with everyone on board.
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This article reflects on-premises ERP upgrades. Most modern SaaS ERPs have automatic and mandatory upgrades, with all customers on the same version. This does not mean that all new features have to be activated, but they are available for this if relevant to the business in question.
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To maintain transparency and clarity during an ERP upgrade, start by thoroughly assessing your organization’s needs. Gather input from various departments to identify functionality gaps and performance issues in the current system. Align the upgrade with these specific requirements and communicate them clearly to your ERP provider. Involve stakeholders throughout the process to ensure everyone is informed and aligned, fostering a unified vision and clear expectations for the upgrade.
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Antes de iniciar uma atualização do ERP, é fundamental avaliar as necessidades da organização. Coletar informações de diferentes departamentos ajuda a identificar lacunas de funcionalidade e problemas de desempenho no sistema atual. Esta análise garante que a atualização esteja alinhada com os requisitos específicos da empresa. Com uma compreensão clara dessas necessidades, você pode comunicar efetivamente suas expectativas ao provedor de ERP, garantindo que elas sejam atendidas durante o processo. Essa abordagem proativa facilita uma transição mais suave e eficiente.
A thorough plan is the backbone of any successful ERP upgrade. It should outline the scope, timeline, responsibilities, and communication strategies. Ensuring everyone involved understands their role and the expected outcomes is vital for maintaining clarity. Regular meetings and updates can help keep all parties aligned. Remember, a well-structured plan not only guides the technical aspects but also supports transparent communication throughout the upgrade journey.
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Planning is critical for any project. But ERP upgrades and migrations require far more robust planning and with enough margins to accommodate surprises and setbacks for replanning. The end users must be included in the planning of go-live date selection and user acceptance tests schedule. Their comfort level with the dates and schedule is directly proportional to their commitment and thus, is linked to the success or failure of a project.
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Maintaining transparency and clarity in communication channels during ERP upgrades is crucial. Create a comprehensive communication plan that outlines who needs to be informed, what information needs to be shared, and when updates will be provided. Establish a regular cadence for updates, whether through emails, meetings, or project management tools. This keeps stakeholders informed about progress, challenges, and decisions. Document key decisions, changes, and project milestones in a centralized location accessible to all stakeholders. This helps avoid misunderstandings and ensures everyone is on the same page.
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Planejar minuciosamente é essencial para uma atualização de ERP bem-sucedida. Um plano detalhado que define escopo, cronograma, responsabilidades e estratégias de comunicação é crucial. Certifique-se de que todos os envolvidos compreendam seus papéis e objetivos. Reuniões regulares e atualizações ajudam a manter a equipe alinhada. Um planejamento estruturado não só orienta os aspectos técnicos, mas também facilita a comunicação transparente ao longo do processo, garantindo que todos estejam cientes do progresso e dos desafios.
User engagement is fundamental during an ERP upgrade. It's important to involve end-users early on and throughout the process. This involvement can take the form of training sessions, feedback loops, and pilot testing. By keeping users in the loop, you can address concerns promptly, manage expectations, and ensure that the final product meets their needs. Transparent communication with users leads to higher adoption rates and a more successful upgrade overall.
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Engaging users during ERP upgrades is essential for successful adoption and satisfaction. Involve users from the beginning of the project. Seek their input during requirements gathering and solution design phases to understand their needs and expectations. Communicate clearly and consistently about the project's objectives, timelines, and impacts on users. Use multiple channels such as emails, meetings, newsletters, and intranet updates to keep them informed. Provide comprehensive training tailored to different user roles. Offer hands-on workshops, online tutorials, and documentation to help users understand new processes and systems.
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Engajar os usuários finais é crucial para o sucesso de uma atualização de ERP. Involucrá-los desde o início e ao longo do processo, por meio de sessões de treinamento, ciclos de feedback e testes piloto, é essencial. Isso permite resolver preocupações rapidamente, gerenciar expectativas e assegurar que o produto final atenda às suas necessidades. A comunicação transparente com os usuários resulta em taxas de adoção mais altas e uma atualização mais bem-sucedida.
Monitoring progress is key to maintaining transparency during an ERP upgrade. Establish clear metrics and benchmarks to track the upgrade's success and share these with all stakeholders. Regular progress reports can help identify any issues early on and keep everyone informed about the status of the upgrade. By keeping a close eye on the upgrade's progress, you can ensure that it stays on track and that any deviations are communicated and addressed promptly.
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Monitoring progress during an ERP upgrade is critical to ensure that the project stays on track and meets its objectives. Define specific milestones and objectives for each phase of the ERP upgrade. These milestones should be measurable and aligned with the overall project goals. Utilize project management software or tools to track tasks, timelines, dependencies, and resource allocations. This helps in monitoring progress in real-time and identifying potential bottlenecks. Schedule regular status meetings with the project team, stakeholders, and key users to review progress, discuss challenges, and make decisions. Ensure these meetings are productive and focused on resolving issues.
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Monitorar o progresso durante uma atualização de ERP é essencial para manter a transparência e a eficiência. Estabeleça métricas e benchmarks claros para acompanhar o sucesso e compartilhe relatórios regulares com todas as partes interessadas. Isso ajuda a identificar problemas precocemente e mantém todos informados sobre o status da atualização. Acompanhando de perto o progresso, você garante que o projeto permaneça no caminho certo e que quaisquer desvios sejam comunicados e resolvidos rapidamente.
Risk management is an essential aspect of an ERP upgrade. Identify potential risks early in the process and develop strategies to mitigate them. Clear communication about these risks and the measures in place to handle them will help maintain trust among stakeholders. By proactively managing risks and being transparent about potential challenges, you can minimize disruptions and maintain confidence in the upgrade process.
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Gerenciar riscos é crucial em uma atualização de ERP. Identifique potenciais riscos no início e desenvolva estratégias de mitigação. Comunique claramente esses riscos e as medidas adotadas para abordá-los, mantendo a confiança das partes interessadas. Ao lidar proativamente com os riscos e ser transparente sobre os desafios, você pode minimizar interrupções e garantir a continuidade do processo de atualização.
Effective training is critical for a smooth transition to the new ERP system. Tailor training programs to meet the needs of different user groups within your organization. Ensure that all users are comfortable with the new system before going live. Clear communication about training schedules, resources, and support will empower users to embrace the new system confidently and contribute to a successful upgrade.
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𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐮𝐩𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐎𝐒 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 Clearly communicate how the upgrade solves specific business problems and its measurable impact. Highlight the benefits users will gain 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐭 Provide a detailed timeline with phases, expected downtime, and service disruptions. Reduce surprises 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 Develop tailored training for different user roles. Ensure everyone understands how to leverage new features 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬 Engage early with users to understand their needs and worries. Use this feedback to shape com and training
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