Common Pitfalls and Solutions to Improve Your Cloud ERP Implementation Adoption
Implementing a new process change or technology can be tricky for any organization, no matter what size. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) tools are game-changers in the world of business, and moving to a cloud-based ERP can have dramatic effects on the productivity and bottom line of enterprise organizations. However, introducing a new ERP system into your organization is just the beginning of the journey toward transformation and growth.
As with any change or innovation, the real challenge lies in ensuring that your team embraces this powerful new tool and is able to harness its full potential. Far too often, ERP implementations fall short of their intended objectives due to resistance to change or inadequate adoption among end-users. In a world where adaptability and efficiency are paramount, it’s crucial to understand how to navigate the complexities of ERP adoption successfully.
Here, we’ll explore steps you can take to increase user adoption for your new cloud ERP system. Whether you are an IT professional spearheading the implementation, a business leader aiming to leverage data for strategic decision-making, or an employee preparing to embrace a new way of working, this blog will help you to navigate the ERP adoption process effectively. Read on and explore some of the reasons user adoption sometimes goes awry, and what you can do to combat these issues and optimize your user adoption.
Why is User Adoption a Struggle?
Initial Implementation Was Not Completed for the Required Scope
By this we mean that key functionality was not set up, or it was done so incorrectly. This can happen when timelines are tight and the project falls behind for one reason or another, and in this case, training and change management are unfortunately usually the first items to be cut due to time or budgetary concerns.
Generally, training and change management is cut from the contract itself in order to lower costs. This is a problem because clients aren’t able to see its importance and implementation partners aren’t able to accurately convey the importance of training and change management. This can cause roadblocks to user adoption when clients don’t have the knowledge or skills to do it themselves.
Limited Training Performed During the Implementation
Limited training during ERP implementations can be a key reason user adoption fails. One of the most significant pitfalls is a steep learning curve for end-users, which can result in frustration and decreased productivity. Expecting end-users and even change champions to grasp the entirety of a new ERP post-go-live is overly ambitious. When employees don’t have adequate training early and often in the ERP implementation process, they may struggle to navigate its complexities leading to errors, inefficiencies, and missed opportunities for leveraging its full potential.
What’s more, inadequate training can foster resistance to change within the organization, as employees may feel overwhelmed or skeptical about the new technology. This resistance can lead to prolonged implementation timelines and increased costs as teams grapple with the system’s intricacies. To mitigate these pitfalls, investing in comprehensive and ongoing training is not just advisable; it’s crucial for ensuring a smooth and successful ERP implementation.
Limited Training Assets and Materials to Perform User Functions
A key part of training and change management is the creation of training assets and materials to efficiently and accurately convey knowledge. A good implementation partner will be able to create these assets for your team and pass on knowledge to super users and end-users. Creating well-crafted training materials is paramount for achieving better ERP user adoption, as these materials serve as the bridge between the complexity of the ERP system and the end-users. They provide a structured and accessible way to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge.
Effective training materials, such as user manuals, video tutorials, and interactive guides, empower employees with the confidence and competence to navigate the new system efficiently. They not only accelerate the learning process but also reduce the likelihood of errors and frustration, ultimately boosting user satisfaction and productivity. Moreover, comprehensive training materials contribute to a culture of continuous learning and adaptation, ensuring that users stay up-to-date with system enhancements and best practices.
Investing in well-designed training materials is an investment in the success of your ERP implementation, as it lays the foundation for user empowerment, seamless adoption, and the realization of the ERP system’s full potential.
Keeping these common pitfalls in mind can help your organization prioritize training, change management, and asset creation in order to ensure a smoother transition to user adoption of your ERP so that your organization can fully realize the benefits of your cloud ERP investment.
Having an implementation partner on your side that prioritizes the importance of user adoption for your organization and can be there for your team post-go-live for additional support is paramount. Elire is here to help you every step of your implementation journey. Learn about additional ways Elire can help optimize your cloud ERP investment here on our Oracle Cloud Services page as well as on our PeopleSoft to Cloud services page. Reach out to [email protected] with questions and let us know what you’re looking to accomplish.