Managing Stress During ERP Implementation
Pretty much anyone who speaks of their past experiences with an ERP implementation jokes about hair loss, weight gain, insomnia, irritability, etc. Essentially, it STRESSED THEM OUT. In fact, this is a key finding from our 2019 ERP Report. My question is, why do we let this happen? We’re not going to answer this question […]
ERP Failure: Is it Time to Take it on the Run?
I have recently been listening to some of the classic hits from REO Speedwagon. As they once said in their heyday, “you’re under the gun, so you take it on the run.” I heard this particular song (“Take it on the Run”) while I was writing my recent blog about Revlon’s SAP failure, so I […]
ERP System Integrator vs. Customer: Who Is Really to Blame for your Implementation Challenges?
Last week, Eric Kimberling published a blog on exposing the big ERP system integrators, highlighting quotes from consultants within some of the larger firms and confirming the concept of being “Accentured” or “Deloitted.” It is a real phenomenon and something to definitely watch for both before and during an implementation. While SIs and VARs (Value […]
ERP Implementation Risk: Key Pitfalls to Avoid
Implementing any new software for your company is always filled with promise and usually provides a positive to your business for the long run. But as we outlined in our 2019 ERP Report, it is important to be aware of ERP implementation risk as well. With an ERP implementation there is a lot of potential […]
Big ERP Systems Integrators Exposed
Disclaimer: This article contains quotes from multiple sources, which we have not cited for confidentiality purposes. Third Stage Consulting is an independent, technology-agnostic firm that is not affiliated with any of the ERP software vendors or systems integrators mentioned in this article. After the French Revolutions in the 1800s, a famous French writer once wrote: […]
Preparing for a SAP SuccessFactors or Workday Implementation
If there is one thing that we have learned from our lessons from 1,000 HCM implementations, it is that your level of transformation success hinges on the things you do before you ever start. There are a number of best practices that should drive how you prepare for your SAP SuccessFactors or Workday implementation. Cliff […]
Comparison of SAP SuccessFactors vs. Workday HCM Software
Recently we participated in anHCM conference that opened our eyes to new comparisons and discussions about the differences and similarities between SAP SuccessFactors vs. Workday HCM software. Both products are the most comprehensive of their kind in today’s market, but like all things software related, it’s important to understand the different things that your business […]
Summary of Findings from the 2019 ERP Report
A few weeks ago, we released the 2019 ERP Report. Unlike similar studies of years past, this one digs deeper into the statistical root causes of success versus failure – and the findings are very eye-opening. Overview of the 2019 ERP Report The study examines ERP implementations over the last 20 years, with a particular […]
Lessons from 1,000 HCM Implementations
Over the last 20 years, I have had the good fortune of being involved with over 1,000 different HCM implementations. My role varied from being a project manager, program manager, expert witness, executive steering committee member, organizational change lead, business process lead, project recovery consultant, third party oversight consultant, and a host of other roles. […]
ERP Request for Proposal (RFP): What Do You Want Your New Software to Achieve?
By Sam Graham Perhaps more frequently known as a Request for Proposal (RFP), an Invitation to Tender (ITT) or a Statement of User Requirements (SOUR), a written statement of what a new system is required to deliver is essential to achievement of a successful project but is one of the hardest things to do. The […]
Have You Ever Been “Accentured”?
What does “Accentured” mean? Very different than being “delighted,” this term has become increasingly popular among boutique consulting firms and independents. More importantly, it is a term we have heard clients use to refer to their experiences with the large SAP, Oracle, and ERP system integrators. To be clear on a couple of points: First, […]
Lessons from the 2019 Digital Transformation, HCM, and ERP Report
One of my favorite aspects of being in the digital transformation space for over 20 years is not just the experience we get working with clients each day, but the ability to study and analyze a broad sample of initiatives each year. Our latest 2019 Digital Transformation, HCM, and ERP Report reveals some invaluable lessons […]