Implementation of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software should be driven by business goals & strategy in order to get the best results. Business needs should determine how companies implement their ERP system, rather than the other way around.

Some companies make the mistake of letting the nature of the software dictate how they operate their business, which is not necessarily in their best interests. Instead, a company’s requirements and strategies should remain paramount, which will result in a more streamlined and cost-effective end result.

Each successful ERP implementation we have been a part of has defined a clear business blueprint, while each troubled and failed implementation we’ve seen over the years has neglected to do so. Failure to correctly plan the process up front can lead to unwanted results. As such, all ERP software projects should be led by senior management and high-level executives in order to dramatically increase the likelihood of a successful implementation.