For years, a particular software package was used, but suddenly something new came along. How do you ensure that end users will embrace this new way of working? Business continuity must also be maintained, and customers must remain satisfied. These kinds of challenges arise when CRM, ERP, or other IT systems are changed. That’s why we’ve outlined these key steps to help you successfully streamline implementations:
Step 1: Assessment and Analysis
Every change begins with a thorough preliminary discussion: with a business analyst, a project manager, and several key personnel from your company. We review your existing business processes to identify your objectives. We also determine which existing data will be migrated to a new, modern system. Sometimes it turns out that existing processes need to be adapted for this, or that customization of the new software may be necessary. The result is a clear concept document, and based on this document, you decide whether to proceed with the software implementation.
Step 2: Design
Based on the analysis, the software design is developed in collaboration with a team of designers. The starting point here is to determine how your company can best be served. This also means, for example, defining which features will be implemented first and which are lower priority. Your colleagues will also join the process, bringing extensive knowledge of your business and product data, so that as much data as possible can be migrated from the ‘old’ system to the ‘new’ one. This is how the core team is formed, both within your company and on our side as your software partner.
Step 3: Development—Development and Testing
Your ERP, CRM, or software partner will now begin development and programming. The goal is to deliver a final system configuration. Make sure your key staff members are closely involved in this process. During this phase, a software partner will conduct a series of workshops for your key users and internal staff with extensive domain knowledge. These workshops ensure that what is programmed is also validated by your own staff.
Step 4: Deployment—Sharing Knowledge in Advance
In this fourth step, everything is essentially prepared for a final “Go Live.” Among other things, this involves carrying out the following two activities. First, the final solution is thoroughly tested, including the use of UAT scripts or User Acceptance Tests. Second, end users are trained, often with the help of your key users who have already tested and refined the solution multiple times. A prerequisite is that all functionalities are working and available before training begins. You achieve this by entering the correct data in advance, during step 3. This way, your end users train immediately with highly recognizable data, rather than vague dummy data.
Step 5: Operation—Going Live
This is the “Go Live” phase, when the software is actually put into use. Even after go-live, your software partner should still be on hand for a while. Of course, support continues even after the project is completed. This is also the phase where we discuss any ‘lessons learned’ together, but above all, celebrate our success together.
