An Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system can be a game-changer for any company, driving improvements across all areas of the business. But a new ERP brings with it significant resource investment and could bring disruption to your current processes if not done right.
An ERP consulting firm can help your business ensure a successful ERP project, from ERP selection with the right ERP vendor, through the implementation process. With such high stakes, it’s important to ask the right questions to make sure the consulting firm you choose aligns with your business needs and can work with your ERP vendor and implementation partner to drive results.
In this post, we’ll cover some of the most important questions to ask ERP consultants when vetting a potential ERP consulting firm for ERP selection and implementation.
How To Choose The Right ERP Consultant
Download this guide for our 6 Step Checklist to Finding an Independent ERP Software Consultant.
Questions to Ask ERP Consultants
1. What is your experience in managing ERP selection and implementation projects?
Any ERP consulting firm should be ready to talk about their experience. You want to select a firm with a proven track record of managing ERP projects through every phase, from selection to implementation. Look for firms with experience with many top ERP systems, handling complex business processes, and with companies in your industry or which are similar to yours.
- How many years have you been managing ERP selection and implementation projects?
- Can you provide case studies or references from similar projects within our industry?
- Have you worked with ERP vendors and implementation partners that we are considering?
- How many successful ERP projects have you delivered, and what were the outcomes?
A consulting firm with vast experience will have a deep understanding of the available ERP options. This will aide in selecting a system that fits with your company’s unique requirements, and with managing the implementation effectively.
2. How do you approach ERP selection?
ERP selection should be based on your company’s specific needs, goals and unique processes. The right consulting firm can help guide you through the process using a structured, methodical approach to find the right ERP system and make an informed decision.
- What is your approach to the ERP selection process?
- How do you work with our team to understand our business objectives and challenges?
- Do you help evaluate and compare multiple software vendors?
- How do you ensure that the ERP software you recommend aligns with our business processes?
- Do you conduct business process assessments or gap analysis to identify areas for improvement in our business operations?
- What criteria do you use to evaluate ERP vendors and their solutions?
A few popular ERP systems include Microsoft, SAP, Oracle, and Infor. With so many ERP solutions on the market, finding the right one can be challenging. From pricing to functionality there are many factors to consider. Keep in mind that the ERP consulting firm should help you select the best ERP that not only meets your current business requirements but has the capability to grow with your company in the future.
3. What experience do you have with our selected ERP vendor and implementation partner?
If you’ve already gone through a selection process in-house and are now ready to find an implementation consultant to help manage the implementation phase, you’ll want to ask potential firms about their specific experience with the ERP vendor and implementation partner you’ve chosen. Having prior experience can help the implementation go smoothly, reducing the risk of delays and cost overruns during the implementation process.
- Have you worked with the ERP vendor we are considering?
- What experience do you have working with our chosen ERP implementation partner?
- Can you provide examples of previous projects where you’ve worked with this ERP vendor?
- How do you ensure that our goals are communicated effectively to both the ERP vendor and implementation partner?
- How do you ensure that all stakeholders are aligned on project objectives and timelines?
- What steps do you take to avoid miscommunication between different parties?
The consulting firm should manage all parties to ensure alignment on your goals and expectations, as well as the project budget and timeline. Effective alignment between the consulting firm, your team, ERP vendor and the implementation partner helps to define everyone’s role in the project and manage any issues that arise.
4. What is your approach to project management?
ERP projects are complex and can take months to complete. To meet your deadlines, and prevent scope creep, it’s crucial to have a clear, structured approach to project management.
- What project management methodologies do you use (Agile, Waterfall, hybrid, etc.)?
- How do you define project scope and manage any changes to the scope during implementation?
- What tools do you use to track progress, timelines, and budgets?
- How do you handle risks and challenges during the project?
- Will you be providing a dedicated project manager for our ERP implementation?
The right ERP consulting firm should be experienced in managing the complexities of ERP projects, including setting timelines, managing resources, and addressing challenges. Their project management expertise should include not just ERP, but broader organizational change management skills to ensure the project is successful.
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5. What is your experience with data migration and integration?
Data migration and systems integration can be the most complicated part of an ERP implementation. The consulting firm should be experienced in managing data migration from legacy software systems to the new ERP, as well as integration of the new ERP system with other enterprise software such as your CRM, financial software, or POS system.
- How do you approach data migration to ensure accuracy and minimize risk?
- What is your experience with integrating ERP systems with other business applications (CRM, SCM, HRMS, etc.)?
- Do you use any tools or processes to ensure data integrity during migration?
- How do you handle data validation and reconciliation after the migration?
Proper data migration is key to a successful ERP implementation because it ensures that the new system has accurate, clean and well-organized data that informs your day-to-day operations and key decision-making. Correctly transferring information such as customer details, inventory, financial transactions and historical records prevents errors and inconsistencies.
6. How do you manage change management throughout the ERP project?
ERP projects are about people as well as technology. Implementing new software solutions, like ERP, requires major organizational change, from workflow adjustments to changes in employee responsibilities. The right ERP consultant should have an organizational change management (OCM) strategy to ensure a smooth transition.
- How do you manage the human side of an ERP implementation?
- What strategies do you employ to gain buy-in from key stakeholders?
- What is your approach to end-user training and support?
- How do you handle resistance to change from employees and users?
- How do you ensure that the change management strategy aligns with our company culture?
7. How do you measure the success of an ERP implementation?
ERP success depends on more than just on-time and on-budget completion of the project. Ultimately, it also depends on the system’s ability to meet your business objectives and deliver value.
- What key performance indicators (KPIs) do you use to measure the success of an ERP project?
- How do you assess ROI after the system is live?
- What steps do you take if the ERP system is not delivering the expected outcomes?
- How do you ensure continuous improvement post-implementation?
- Do you offer ongoing support if we need project management in the future?
A good consulting firm—like Ultra Consultants—is results-oriented. They should have value realization programs in place to evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation and ensure the system delivers transformation you expect.
Conclusion
Selecting the right ERP consulting firm to manage the ERP selection and implementation process is a key decision that can significantly impact the success of your ERP project. Carefully evaluating their capabilities and experience can ensure that you partner with the right consulting firm to manage your project to a successful outcome.
Ultra Consultants has decades of experience leading companies like yours through the complex process of software selection, implementation and change management. With Ultra on your side, we’ll help drive efficiencies that increase your bottom line through people, processes and technology.
