Implementation Best Practices: Your Survival Guide to a New System Implementation

Using CRM/ERP technology to enhance sales and optimize company operations is always a good idea.

It may also be a logistical nightmare!

That is why we wrote a whole e-book on how to survive this without losing all of your hair in the process.You can read it here or scroll down to this article where we summarize the best practises for a successful implementation project.

First: Plan

Have a clear understanding for your project's goals and expectations.

This will assist you in gaining team support throughout the duration of the project (before, during and post-implementation).

Some may believe that CRM/ERP technology is a fad or a transitory craze among managers. If you don't clearly explain to your teams where this decision comes from, the change will appear much more discouraging.

Map Your Processes

It would be a waste of time and money to invest in CRM/ERP technology that does not fit your needs or work effectively with your critical processes. Process mapping is a graphical depiction of a business workflow or series of actions. It'll help you identify tasks that may be simplified, improved, or even automated using your new solution.

Assess and Prioritize your Business Need

If replacing an ERP/CRM or using other business apps, identify its strengths and weaknesses.

Mapping your procedures will be quite beneficial in doing this. Determine your future needs based on your progress. It's critical that your new application is scalable and can fulfill such business requirements as they arise. Consider factors like the cost and ease of setup, user support, data storage, customization choices, and so on.

What about choosing the right expert? This article here will guide you through that process: How to choose an ERP consultant?

Anticipate Impacts on Operations

Be honest with yourself about the time and resources needed to deploy your CRM/ERP program. You will be better able to foresee bottlenecks in your day-to-day production if you forecast the resources that will be utilized at each stage of the project. Even with a well-planned, adaptable, and well-structured implementation strategy, unexpected events will arise and disturb your routine company operations.

Communicate!

A new CRM or ERP software will undoubtedly have an influence on your firm as a whole. You may wish to appoint communication for each team to guarantee seamless and effective communication. Some teams may be more affected than others; nonetheless, all departments will be affected in some fashion. You may ensure project success by keeping everyone informed and giving them the impression that their issues are being handled.

Build a Strong Project Team

The success of your new CRM/ERP deployment is also dependent on the project teams that are formed within your company. Build this project team based on individual abilities, drive, and interests rather than seniority or duties and obligations. A too big of a project management team can also cause tension and impede communication.

During Your Software Implementation Project

The implementation process has officially begun! This is when it is critical to consider personnel training and data transfer more seriously. Along the course, it may be essential to review the project scope.

Start Thinking About Training

Don't leave employee training for the very end of the project. Gestisoft delivers projects in numerous iterations, allowing you to test your procedures multiple times. This allows your staff to progressively become acquainted with the functionality of your new application without jeopardizing data integrity. Don't be scared to contact your digital partner for assistance with employee training.

Clean Your Data

Because bad data implies missed chances or misguided decisions, data transfer is an important aspect of a CRM/ERP implementation. Using a new software with outmoded, superfluous data is like to moving into a new house full of old garbage: it's worthless, takes up room, and stinks.

Are you concerned about data migration? Learn more about it here: How to successfully migrate ERP data?

Be Flexible

An implementation project can quickly spiral out of control. During the project, unplanned (but frequently necessary) additions are made.

If you suspect that the project is deviating too far from the initial design, you may be dealing with scope creep.

Make a list of three to five priorities and stick to it.

Your Solution is Live

Your CRM/ERP system is now operational. Take a time to congratulate yourself!

However, keep in mind that staff must continue to be supported in order to foster software adoption across all departments.

Change Management is Forever

Identify team ambassadors who were enthusiastic about the introduction of a new solution. Provide them with additional advanced training and recommend that they deliver seminars for their coworkers. Explain how automation will allow them to spend less time on administrative activities. They will also benefit from automated reminders, such as when it is time to follow up with a customer whose quarterly order is approaching. This is all part of a successful change management plan.

The Implementation is Just the Start

Don't put your new CRM/ERP system on the back burner. Consider their comments and concerns as you try to improve work performance under the new system. Use a dashboard to track adoption of the new solution or build up a means for workers to provide feedback.

Choose Gestisoft as your Implementation Partner

That's all! You are now more prepared to complete your CRM/ERP system deployment project.

No matter where you are in your project, whether you are having little or significant issues, know that you can rely on Gestisoft for assistance.

Contact one of our professionals right away!