Enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation projects are large scale, complex undertakings. And like any complex project, Sage Intacct implementations have far better outcomes when planned well advance and with top-notch project management.
By thoroughly defining your ERP project scope, you’re establishing a list of specific project goals, tasks, schedules, deliverables, and resources as you prepare your ERP scope document. Your scope document lays the foundation for your project and should be developed methodically. Some of the key processes in properly defining the scope of your Sage Intacct implementation project include:
Evaluate business processes to determine requirements
One of the most important processes in defining your project scope is getting a good understanding of your business processes and outlining the tasks, in detail, required to meet your business objectives. What are the functions and features required for Sage Intacct implementation?
Although this step can be time-consuming, it is necessary to ensure a successful implementation. ERP is often intended to be the core management system for company operations, so you’ll want to remain as detailed as possible for this effort.
Communicate and commit necessary resources
Be sure to communicate the appropriate resources, both human and logistical, needed to successfully complete your ERP implementation. You should be prepared to commit these resources to the project before, during and after implementation with ongoing reviews of project phases throughout implementation.
Identify and meet with the proper stakeholders
Stakeholders can be anyone affected by the outcome of your Sage Intacct implementation. Having a good idea on their perspectives, needs, and expectations will help you to better define the scope, budget, and timeline of your ERP project.
Meeting with stakeholders prior to the project start is also an opportunity to ensure the purpose and expected benefits are understood. When nearly everyone in your organization is a stakeholder, it’s not practical to meet with everyone. In this scenario, the proper stakeholders to include in your planning night involve department heads and key members of your staff.
Employ a change management process
You will need to have a plan for how changes to your project scope will be handled. Attempts should be made to limit changes to only those required, but don’t become so attached to the scope document that you’re not prepared for the inevitable changes. A strict change management process in place also helps to avoid disagreements amongst members of your team, your vendor and any third-party resources involved.
Change requests should be initiated for each and every change because even the smallest of variations can affect the cost and timelines resulting in scope creep or worse, project failure. Make sure the members of your team who will have the authority to request changes as well as who can approve them are well-defined.
Sage Intacct implementations affect more than your business processes, they involve the people who will be using the system daily. At its base level, defining the scope of your implementation requires good communication to ensure that everyone is on the same page with the same expectations.
Sage Intacct is the #1 cloud accounting and ERP software for customer satisfaction. It’s the financial management package that delivers automation and accounting controls to keep you audit-ready and positioned to scale. Contact us to learn how e2b and Sage Intacct can bring improved business performance to your organization.
