6 phases represent an ERP implementation project: identification and planning, design, development, testing, implementation, and continuous support. Although this is an iterative process, there will be a tendency to overlap the phases and orbital motion between the stages.
With our team that has more than a century of experience in implementing financial software and ERP, described below is the process we use with our customers:
Identification and planning
This first phase of the ERP implementation process begins during the sales process and continues after the sale. During this time, you must build a project team to handle the related responsibilities. There will be initial meetings and documentation as the team works to identify current issues and possible solutions. An important part of this phase is the preparation of the project plan, which will guide the rest of the project.
Design
The design we are talking about here is, what will the new system look like in the company and how will it be used in the organization? In the ERP design phase, the project team and implementation teamwork on the various configurations for the new system, defining roles, and documenting the standard procedures.
Development
The purpose of the development phase is to prepare the entire system for the ERP implementation. These include activities such as making the necessary adjustments, developing user training, and importing data.
Testing
The testing and development phases of the ERP implementation process often overlap as the implementation and project teams jump back and forth between the two, constantly adjusting the configuration. At the end of this phase, the project team members will feel comfortable working in the new system.
Implementation
The project team and the implementation team will assess the situation and make the final decision. Before publication, the final data is uploaded and validated. The project team will train other employees who will start working on the new system and stop using the previous system.
Continuous support
Once the ERP system is up and running, the purpose of the project team changes. Over time, as the way users work within the system, it may be necessary to make adjustments and changes to the system configuration to stay up-to-date.