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NetSuite, one of the leading Enterprise Management Planning (ERP) software, is a powerful resource, but it can only provide the best benefits if implemented efficiently and correctly. Countless businesses have had high expectations for how NetSuite can assist in streamlining their operations, only to be hamstrung by an improper implementation that makes the end result clunky and confusing.
Whenever you’re implementing new software, it’s essential that you understand the pitfalls that may befall your process so that you can plan ahead and avoid these common dangers associated with a NetSuite implementation.
Poor Planning
Planning is everything in business, and it’s no different when migrating your systems over to NetSuite. Before you get started, research all the functionalities you’re intending on utilizing and break the project into sections based on feature area so that you can get the right staff working with the right resource. You might find it helpful to look at example timelines of a NetSuite implementation; the company itself has a wealth of resources available regarding the different steps of implementation, as well as case studies of successful implementations.
Lack of Responsible Change Management
In truth, many of the failures of NetSuite implementations come down to change management; after all, this is all about managing the switchover, and it encompasses nearly every component of the transition process.
The fundamentals of good change management include realistic timelines, excellent communication, proper staff deployment, and having all the resources necessary to succeed. You need to have the right staff in the right place, providing them with the tools, information, and time they need to do a great job. Missing any of these key components will lead to a cascade of bad outcomes, even if you have the most competent project managers possible.
Many companies fail because of bad messaging about what’s going to happen or leaving crucial stakeholders out of the loop. Poor communication can also lower team morale, making it even harder to get your group to the finish line on time. To keep morale high and collaboration productive, commit to carefully documenting all changes and catching up with your staff on a regular basis, whether one on one or in groups, in order to assess progress and identify areas of concern.
Given that excessive meetings can sometimes do more harm than good, develop collaborative working spaces where everyone can contribute asynchronously with all team members, ensuring that communication remains transparent and productive. Set clear expectations and break work up into manageable timeframes, making discrete goals that are attainable within the timeline you provide. These small wins will keep everyone motivated, and they will allow you to more concretely track progress.
Scope Creep
NetSuite has an amazing abundance of tools for businesses to reach peak performance, and it can be easy to get dazzled by all the options available, vastly overextending the scope of the project until it turns into a disaster. Complicated implementations require a lot of resources; should you suddenly decide to add on numerous other modules, you’ll have to pull in more staff or contract outside help, spending hours bringing them up to speed on the current timeline and monitoring them.
It’s best to work first on the key functionalities you require for smooth business operations, aware that you can add more in a later project implementation if necessary. Stick to the original scope of the project or plan carefully when bringing other facets to the table, or break things into multiple smaller projects that will be done over time. Hasty implementations rarely go well, and you must understand the complexity of the process before deciding to tack on additional work.
Unwillingness to Rely on Outside Help
Many business leaders want to feel totally in control of every process, sure that they can manage everything in-house, but this can be a dangerous mistake. NetSuite can be complicated, and only experts will have the familiarity with the program required to skillfully implement everything on time and with minimal hassle.
Worse, some management teams may see the project going south; yet lack the motivation to reach out for project recovery from professionals like GSI.
There’s no shame in relying on consultants and other professionals: they have built their careers by helping companies just like yours to get projects back on track and successfully harness the strength of NetSuite. Rather than balking at costs or a lack of control, see this as a learning experience, as well as a path forward to avoid scrapping all of your hard work and starting over.
Any software implementation can be incredibly difficult, and this is especially true for complex systems like NetSuite. However, it doesn’t make it impossible: over 30,000 companies currently run NetSuite, and yours can too. Avoiding these major pitfalls can make an enormous difference in how quickly you’re up to speed on this powerful ERP – as well as how much of a headache it is to get there.
