ERP, which stands for Enterprise Resource Planning, is tightly associated with software suites that include integrated business applications such as payroll, finance, order processing and other modules used to manage organizations.
Implementation of an ERP system is more complex than stand-alone software in that all applications must share information, data definitions and rules. They also need to coordinate business processes. There are many approaches to ERP implementation, but they should all contain some key elements.
Instructions
1. Review the phases of an ERP project. These are Plan, Discovery (or Analysis), Design, Build (or Develop), Test, Train and Deploy. Each is important, and they often overlap during the project lifecycle.
2. Show components of the Plan and Discovery phases. Setting project goals, assembling a team, and discovering functional and technical needs of the organization are the most important components of these phases.
3. Describe how the Design phase compares software functionality to the business requirements found during Discovery. This is often referred to as Fit/Gap analysis. The Design phase also defines how you will configure the system to meet those needs. If needed, write specifications for additional programs or customizations.
4. Describe tasks performed during the Development and Testing phases. This is where the software is configured, programs are written, data is converted, and the system is tested on multiple levels. Testing is done on individual components (Unit testing), and on the system as a whole (Integration testing).
5. Talk about the importance of the Training and Deployment phases. Emphasize the element called "Change Management" being the preparation for your organization to move to new business processes as well as the software usage. Once deployed, monitor the system as well as the business processes that may need to be altered along the way. It is important to know that Deployment is not a phase that ends--systems need continuous care and maintenance after they have been implemented.
