A Process for Selection and Training of Super-users for ERP Implementation Projects

The concept of super-users as a means to facilitate ERP implementation projects has recently taken a foothold in practice, but is still largely overlooked in research. In particular, little is known about the selection and training processes required to successfully develop skilled super-users in practice. To address this research gap, we analyze the case of an ERP implementation program at a large manufacturing company. We combine Katz’s widely accepted skill measurement model with the process observed in practice to describe and test a model of super-user selection and training. The resulting model contains a systematic process of super-user development and highlights the specific skillsets required in different phases of the selection and training process. Our results from a comparative assessment of management expectations and super-user skills in the ERP program show that the model can be successfully applied and thus serve as a template for practitioners confronted with similar challenges

Implementing e-Services in Lagos State, Nigeria: the interplay of Cultural Perceptions and Working Practices during an automation initiative : Nigeria e-government culture and working practices

Accepted for publication in a forthcoming issue of Government Information Quarterly.The public sector’s adoption of Information and Communication Technologies is often seen as a way of increasing efficiency. However, developing public e-Services involves a series of organisational and social complexities. In this paper, we examine the organisational issues of implementing an ERP system, which was designed and developed within the context of Lagos State’s e-Services project. By doing so, we showcase the impact of organisational cultural perceptions and working practices of individuals. Our findings illustrate the strong role of cultural dimensions, particularly those pertaining to religion and multi-ethnicity. Our study provides insights to international organisations and governments alike toward project policy formulation within the context of ICT-based initiatives and reforms that aim to bring forward developmental progress.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

A Framework proposal for monitoring and evaluating training in ERP implementation project

During the last years some researchers have studied the topic of critical success factors in ERP implementations, out of which 'training' is cited as one of the most ones. Up to this moment, there is not enough research on the management and operationalization of critical success factors within ERP implementation projects.Postprint (published version

Capturing learnings from advanced demand planning tool implementation to utilize in planning development and in future ERP implementation

The main purpose of this Master Thesis is practical: to help with the preparation of Vaasan’s BP2.0 implementation. To accomplish our goal, we will use the learnings from a previous demand planning tool (SO99) implementation to define future needs in the planning stream and identify possible gaps in the implementation plan provided by Lantmännen Unibake. This study follows a Design Science approach and is conducted using qualitative research methods in a single-case study. Four feasible and extrapolable solutions are proposed to fill the most relevant gaps discovered during the process; they are going to facilitate the change in the planning stream during the future implementation. Another key contribution of this thesis is that brings to the literature a case study analyzed in detail where diverse factors of the context make it unique. Learning from the past is a useful tool that everybody can use in a structured way and, supported by a design thinking approach, has proved to be a powerful combination

A systematic analysis of ERP implementation challenges and coping mechanisms: The case of a large, decentralised, public organisation in South Africa

The relevance of this research stems from the persistent failure rate of large-scale Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementations. The foremost reasons advanced in explaining organisations' failure to achieve the desired ERP benefits, despite substantial investments, relates to the complex, risky and challenging nature of the implementation process. Understanding the ERP implementation challenges faced by organisations and the subsequent coping mechanisms deployed to overcome the challenges remain a pertinent research endeavour. Another eminent area of concern alludes to the limited significance attributed to the systemic analysis of the implementation process. This research describes the challenges faced by organisations during their ERP implementation process and explains the systemic interaction of the ERP implementation challenges. In conjunction, this study identifies the coping mechanisms established by organisations to overcome the encountered ERP implementation challenges. An interpretive research paradigm, in concurrence with an inductive research approach was adopted for the purpose of this research. This study was conducted within the context of a large, decentralised, public organisation. Two embedded case studies within the designated organisation were selected. At the onset of the study, the organisation was in the process of implementing a large-scale vanilla ERP solution. The study was qualitative in nature and data were collected through interviews, observations and documentary evidence between April 2012 and October 2014. The ERP implementation challenges and ensuing coping mechanisms were revealed through the use of thematic analysis. Constant comparative analysis allowed the researcher to compare and contrast the data and themes emerging from both cases. The systemic interrelation and interconnected nature of the ERP implementation challenges were, subsequently, examined, using the principles of system dynamics. Key research contributions comprise the development of both descriptive and explanatory knowledge. The research findings disclose numerous ERP implementation challenges resulting in the emergence of a taxonomy which includes organisational, project management, management, change management, technical and knowledge challenges. The proposed taxonomy provides a comprehensive breakdown and analysis of different ERP implementation challenges which adds to the existing body of knowledge on ERP implementation. The major theoretical contribution, however, is the explanatory theory arising from the systemic model of the dynamics of ERP implementation challenges. The theory provides rich insights into the complex and interconnected nature of an implementation process. Specific implications are drawn from the empirical findings to form theoretical propositions as principles of explanation and generalisation. Another key contribution includes an interpretation of how coping mechanisms are deployed by organisations to overcome the ERP implementation challenges. The predominant coping mechanisms include the use of workaround solutions, workgroups, super-users, and retraining, support, and rewards and incentives. The theoretical contribution can be generalised to large, decentralised organisations implementing ERP systems. The contribution to practice is to assist organisations in their implementation endeavours by empowering ERP implementers with the fundamental knowledge in order for them to better manage the inherent complexity of their implementation processes

ERP Project Retrospectives—55 Enterprise Systems: Evaluating Project Success, Lessons Learned, and Business Outcomes

This paper provides a description of fifty-five ERP Project Retrospectives. The study uses the ERP project retrospectives to shed light on relevant issues identified in the literature review of ERP research conducted over the past decade (Schlicher and Kraemmergaard, 2010). The retrospectives provide insight into a number of key questions, including: (1) project justification, including the business and system benefits of ERP; (2) lessons learned, including common mistakes, challenges met, and best practices in managing these challenges; (3) and critical success factors in implementation. The study describes the similarities and differences between the literature and the walkthroughs

Implementing ERPII in customer facing organisations, an investigation of critical success factors

There has been a growing trend for customer facing organisations (CFOs) to turn to highly demanding information systems such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) in order to improve their interaction with customers. ERPII has the specific capabilities to deliver extended enterprise opportunities; however there have been widespread accounts of implementation failure leading to costly delays and even on occasion, bankruptcy. There is a lack of research available to business practitioners in terms of how to deliver a successful implementation in these situations and this research aims to address this issue. To achieve this, research has been undertaken using critical success factor (CSF) analysis. A case study was undertaken comprising of a project team placement within an ERPII implementation environment and follow-up interviews with the project team members were undertaken. In addition, a third piece of empirical research was undertaken consisting of interviews with consultant practitioners of supplier organisations. This research shows that CFOs implementing ERPII require specific CSFs to be addressed at different points within the implementation lifecycle. ‘Critical pathway steps’ have been recommended which emphasise the importance of post implementation training

Identifying the critical success factors in the implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) in the Zimbabwe electricity energy sector

The study identified CSFs and their prioritisation in ERP implementations in the Zimbabwean electricity energy sector context. This research paper discusses key recommendations for improving future Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementations based on insights from an exploratory qualitative single case study in the Zimbabwean electricity sector. The design was an interpretive case study research with the data collected using face to face and telephonically interviews from eighteen participants belonging to four project role groups of project managers, module owners, supper (key) users and end users. The researcher conducted in depth interviews with four role groups. The following critical success factors were identified and discussed: Business Plan and Vision, Business Process Reengineering, Change Management, Communication, ERP System selection, ERP Team composition and competence, External Expertise, IT Infrastructure, Project Management, Top Management Support and Commitment, Training and Education, User Involvement and Vendor Support. The findings from this study can be used to contribute additional insight on the implementation of ERP systems in the electricity energy sector in the Zimbabwean context. This paper is significant because identification and prioritisation of critical success factors help organisations institute appropriate strategies to enhance the successful implementation of ERP system and increase the realisation of the benefits of ERP systems. Management must be able to use the rankings of the CSFs for resource allocation and improved human management

Yet Another ‘List’ Of Critical Success ‘Factors’ For Enterprise Systems: Review Of Empirical Evidence And Suggested Research Directions (2)

Critical Success Factors (CSF) remain the most-researched areas within the Enterprise Systems (ES) domain over the years and has resulted in a long ‘list’ of such factors. Consequently, many ‘factors’ are not more than ‘variables’ belonging to the same management area. Therefore, this paper argues for going back to the original definition of CSFs as few key areas and reviews empirical evidence in each CSF area. Thereafter, the paper notes other limitations of the CSF literature and suggests research directions to provide a deeper explanation of the ES phenomena. These include tracing CSFs across time, taking a change-centric view of the ES lifecycle, unpacking interrelationship among CSFs, paying attention to the implementation context, and moving from a list of CSFs to the identification of their underlying mechanisms. We hope that our suggestions will provide a roadmap to ES researchers on conducting focussed research on CSFs