Best Practices in ERP Implementation- Anubhav Maheshwari

Document it & Document It

  • Documentation helps you in
  • Better understanding of the customer requirements
  • Complete control on the Project deliverables
  • Milestone signoffs
  • Keeping the records for future implementations
  • Better communication between Technical & Functional team
Document Check list in a Implementation
KICK off & Planning:
PIK0001 Kick Off Presentation
PIK0003 Resource Matrix
PIK0004 Complete Project Plan with Tentative Dates
PIK0005 Project Deliverables dump
PIG0001 Minutes of Meeting
PIG0002 Kick Off Signoff Document
FRD or As Is/To Be or Requirement Analysis
PIG0001 Minutes of Meeting for every meeting
CRP Server Installation Report
PIF0001 As-IS document
PIF0002 FRD Document/ To Be Document
PIF0004 Gap Analysis Sheet
PIF0005 Customization List
PIG0002 Key User Training Sign Off
List of the Reports /Formats Required By customer
CRP
As per ERP Master Data Collection Formats
PIC0001 Show case scenarios
PIC0002 CRP Presentation
PIG0003 Issue List
PIG0004 Gap Analysis Sheet
PIG0005 Functional Specification for Customizations
PIG0002 CRP Signoff
Development
PID0001 Dev Server Installation Report
PIG0006 Technical Specification for customization
PID0002 Configuration Document
PID0003 Test Scenarios
UAT
PIU0001 Production Instance Ready Report
PIU0002 Key User Sign of on UAT Scenarios
PIG0003 Issue List
PIG0004 Gap Analysis Sheet
PIL0001 Go Live Check List
PIU0003 Conversion Format
PIU0004 Conversations Test Report
PIG0002 UAT Sign Off
Go Live/ Cut Over
PIG0002 Gap Analysis Sign Off
PIL0003 Change Process Intimation
PIL0004 End User Training Schedule
End User Manual/Video
PIG0002 Master Data Upload Sign Off
PIG0002 Opening Balance Upload Signoff
PIG0002 Issue List Sign Off
System Ready Report

 

To Dos & Not To Dos

  • Kick Off
To Do Not To Do
Prepare all the documents Avoid any discussion on the functionality
Focus on the responsibility of the Customer Do not open the Product
Please share challenges and your experience Do not make customer uncomfortable by using complicated terminology or short words
Create a vision in from of the customer about by putting example of successful stories. Avoid negative discussions on the failures and handle objections by parking them for handling in later phase.

Requirement/AS-IS Study

To Do Not To Do
Record your conversations/ Or write on the note pad Do not open the product
Try to create flow diagrams on white board or note pad for better understanding Do not show your knowledge bank and do not discuss the solution at all.
Ask straight questions to make sure the key user opening up, you can achieve this by explaining him/her the purpose of this discussion. Avoid locking horns on discussion points
Collect all the formats/Reports from key user & give them a code along with listing in the report list. Do not keep any assumptions seek clarification if you are not clear on the process

FRD/To-Be Analysis

To Do Not To Do
Key User Training at a high level on the product Do not randomize the report customization, please follow the priority.
Involve key users in the solution discussions Do not start customization with out signoff from the key user.
Prioritize the list of formats and Reports to handover to technical team. Avoid taking your own assumptions, involve key user in all discussions
Explore all possible solutions before recommending any customization. Discuss indentified gaps with senior team.
For customizations please refer the scope of work clearly defined in the proposal. Seek change request approval as per scope.
Please collect all the master data for first cut.

 

CRP

To Do Not To Do
Prepare CRP server separate from the Test server. Do not do CRP on the test server.
Keep the dump of the CRP before starting the transactions. Avoid showing the complex screen or process during CRP as it creates a panic.
Try to prepare a CRP script.
For unfinished customizations please preparethe concept note or dummy screens to seek quick approval. Avoid mentioning this will be done that is understood etc..
Ensure a meeting invite is sent to all stake holders and confirmation has been taken. Avoid showing transactions during CRP as it might sound complicated.
Please conduct CRP as a presales, showing easiness in the system by preparing the different roles/users and pre defined transactions.

Development

To Do Not To Do
Always prepare a separate server for development. Avoid modifying source code as much as possible.
Please ask for functional specifications and test cases from func consultant Avoid partial delivery without testing
Always prepare a technical approach document before starting development
Try to create a layer of customization around standard solution.
Keep versioning of all the modifications which will help in control.

UAT

To Do Not To Do
Configure based on the Configuration Document. Avoid picking sample data.
Test & Upload the master data along with the sample opening balances Do not do UAT on the CRP/Dev/Test server.
The environment should be real replica of the production to be. Avoid splitting UAT in multiple functions
Create users roles and responsibility Avoid multiple UAT instances
Assist key users in preparing the test scripts as detailed as possible.
User should pick some real transactions for this testing
Prefer to have testing in the joint conference among all functional key users

Go Live

To Do Not To Do
Please preapare a detailed to-do for the go live. Day to day morning call is best tool to track the progress Do not leave data collection at the mercy of the Users or Customer. Please go one step extra to ensure that given data is valid and correct.
Ensure all UAT scenarios are signed off and issue/gap has been agreed with the users or road map has been defined for the critical issues/gaps. NO ASSUMPTIONS PLEASE..Put in extra efforts to cross verify. No issue is silly hence shall be verified by simulation.
Ensure all formats have been tested across multiple locations. In case of multi location the list should not focus only on the HQ issues.
Data back up has been taken on daily basis.
Users are aware of the support process post go live.

Support

To Do Not To Do
Please read the Service Level Agreement before execution of the project. Do not try to do lot of Hit & Trial and try to approach the senior consultants.
Always prioritize the issue as per severity Never change any thing on the production server, first test the solution on the development server.
Always check the issue on the blogs or report to the OEM
Keep customer updated for the severity 1 issues
Always send the weekly report
Make sure customer is on active support

Prudence is a Oracle/Microsoft Leading Partner for the ERP Implementation with successful ratio of 95%. We follow a stringent methodology supported by backup Project Management office. Please contactmarketing@prudencesoftech.com for implementationof :

  • Oracle E-Business Suite
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  • Microsoft Dynamics

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