Implementing a new ERP system like NetSuite can be a major undertaking for any organization. While the potential benefits are enormous—from improved efficiency to better data insights—the reality is that most implementations fail to fully achieve their desired outcomes. In fact, according to research from Panorama Consulting Solutions, nearly 60% of ERP projects end up going over budget and taking longer than expected.
Why do so many implementations fall short? There are a few common mistakes companies make that doom projects from the start. By avoiding these pitfalls, you can set your organization up for a smoother and more successful rollout. In this article, we’ll go over five of the most common NetSuite implementation mistakes and tips for steering clear of them.
Lack of Executive Buy-In
Gaining support from leadership may seem obvious, but it’s one factor that gets overlooked far too often. Without an executive champion guiding priorities and expectations, teams can end up misaligned and projects can quickly veer off track. Appointing an executive sponsor ensures someone from the leadership team has ultimate responsibility and accountability. This person evangelizes the project across the company, secures budget and resources, anticipates roadblocks, and maintain priorities—giving your implementation the backing needed to drive strategic transformation.
Unclear Business Objectives
It may be tempting to jump right into software configurations and data migration. But taking the time upfront to clearly define business goals and success metrics is crucial. This process gives stakeholders visibility into what exactly they want to achieve. And it enables the implementation team to translate those goals into precise requirements and configurations within the system. Without clear objectives aligned to business needs, you run the risk of over customizing or building capabilities that don’t move the needle.
Not Involving Key Stakeholders
ERP projects require input and coordination from stakeholders across the business—from C-level leadership to frontend users in different departments. Failing to engage these groups early and often can sabotage your efforts down the line. Stakeholders provide critical perspectives into workflows, requirements, and change impacts. They also serve as change champions who drive adoption among their teams after go-live. Bring core representatives into the process right away for planning discussions. And continue working closely with them through validation, testing, training, and beyond.
Skimping on Training
Many companies underestimate training needs in an effort to conserve resources or meet aggressive timelines. But lack of proper end user training is one of the fastest ways to derail acceptance and usage. Make training an integral part of not just implementation planning but your go-live readiness. Develop customized courses focused on new roles and responsibilities—and reinforce learning through hands-on workshops using real-life job scenarios. This thorough approach gets users confident and comfortable interacting within the new system environment.
No Post Go-Live Assessment
Launching the system marks a major milestone but not the end of your implementation journey. In the first few weeks post go-live, it’s critical to measure performance against original objectives, gain user feedback, and handle any outstanding issues. Develop success metrics around usage, productivity, and objective achievement. And outline plans for gathering data and input from users. This assessment period validates progress, highlights problem areas needing attention, and identifies opportunities for further optimization.
Why Choose Anchor Group for NetSuite Implementation?
With deep NetSuite expertise and a track record of successful enterprise software deployments, Anchor Group helps clients realize value faster while avoiding common pitfalls. Our implementation methodology is shaped by leading practices developed across 200+ diverse client projects. Key elements that set us apart include:
Proven FastPath Process: Our structured FastPath process combines leading practices with agility to simplify planning and accelerate execution. Using defined playbooks with built-in best practices, we can rapidly deploy core functionality. At the same time, our iterative approach provides flexibility to handle custom needs.
Hands-On Delivery Model: Through our onshore/offshore delivery model, clients get deep onshore expertise combined with enhanced quality and efficiency leveraging an offshore team. This round-the-clock execution results in faster deployment and rapid issue resolution without sacrificing quality.
Verticalized Solutions: Pre-configured industry solutions built on the NetSuite platform help us meet specialized needs of key sectors out-of-the-box—reducing customizations and speeding time to value. Our decades of expertise across manufacturing, distribution, services, and more enable us to tailor the system to your environment.
Change Management Focus: Our change management practice helps you navigate the organizational and user adoption challenges that can undermine initiative success. With communication, coaching, and training woven into the full lifecycle, we ensure stakeholder buy-in and equip users to leverage the technology.
By choosing Anchor Group as your NetSuite implementation partner, you gain a team that’s done it before and proven it can help you maximize value from your investment—while avoiding missteps through expert guidance.
Contact us today to learn more about our NetSuite implementation, integration, and managed services.
