Top 10 Recommendations for ERP / HCM / SCM Implementations in the 2020s
It wasn’t long ago that we shared our top predictions for 2020. What a difference a few months can make. Instead of envisioning how they might leverage blockchain, artificial intelligence, internet of things, and other strategic technologies, many organizations are instead dealing with a new reality. For some, resources are constrained due to illness or […]
The New Realities of HCM and ERP Implementations in a Changing World
Just a few weeks ago, we were consulting to clients and writing about self-actualization and optimization digital strategies we recommend for ERP and HCM implementations in the 2020s. In light of current events that have transpired since then, many of those strategies are already becoming obsolete. What a difference just a few weeks can make. […]
Considering a NetSuite Implementation? You’re Not Alone.
In Third Stage’s top 10 ERP system rankings of 2020, Oracle NetSuite landed in first place. In addition to functionality, one of the reasons for its placement was the growing presence and foothold it has in the marketplace. This does not appear to be changing. We are talking to many companies that are moving towards […]
Project Governance: The Guardrails for Your ERP or HCM Implementation
ERP failures and pitfalls are not due to chance. Like a car that runs off the roadway, common challenges result from not having the proper guardrails in place. Organizations and teams often think that hiring a strong project manager or one of the big ERP systems integrators will be enough to prevent some of the […]
How to Estimate ERP and HCM Implementation Time
ERP and HCM implementations often take longer than expected. In fact, this happens more often than most in the industry would like to admit. The fact of the matter is that change is hard, and the difficulty of change involved in any ERP or HCM implementation takes time. Forget about cloud solutions, easy-to-use user interfaces, […]
Motivating your CORE ERP Project Team
We have previously discussed the importance of a CORE team in completing a successful ERP, HCM or other enterprise application implementation. This is the team of individuals at the project level that takes responsibility for ensuring the project plan is carried through, deals with consultants and vendors and funnels critical decisions to the executive steering […]
Best ERP Executive Steering Committee Ever?
As ERP consultants that help some of the world’s leading organizations through their digital transformations, we have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly among client team members. Some are well prepared and wired for a successful implementation. Others are misaligned and ill-suited to handle a transformation of this magnitude. Most are somewhere in […]
What Causes ERP Implementation Delays?
As Pink Floyd once said: “every year is getting shorter, never seem to find the time.” This classic rock lyric is true for ERP implementations as well. ERP implementation delays are one of the most common problems with digital transformations. Your software vendor or systems integrator assures you that you can do it in that […]
Walmart and Accenture: Implications of hiring a “Big-Box” Consultancy to Manage your Digital Transformation
The idea of getting everything you need in one place is tempting. Whether shopping for household goods or for an ERP implementation, one-stop shopping has become fairly commonplace. But is it always the best idea to get your car fixed at the same place you buy your lettuce and toothbrush? There are striking similarities between […]
Lessons from the 2020 ERP and HCM Report
The digital transformation landscape is changing at a breakneck speed. Technology is shifting to the cloud, new functional capabilities are being added at a record pace, and companies implementing these technologies are themselves going through unprecedented changes as well. Against this backdrop, we recently published our 2020 ERP and HCM Report. This annual report captures […]
What is an Agile ERP Implementation?
I have experienced and seen plenty of successes using agile development methodologies in various types of projects. Agile addresses many of the failures that have often plagued waterfall projects and can be a powerful approach. Then again, I have also seen agile used very poorly, as essentially just an excuse to have no structure for […]
A Perspective on Data Migration in Digital Transformation
Data migration is one of the most difficult and complex portions of any digital transformation. To better understand this, I recently interviewed Daryl Crockett, the CEO of ValidDatum, which is our technology-agnostic data migration partner at Third Stage. She is a leader in the industry, so we work with Daryl and her team to help […]