May 4, 2021

Big bang or multiple baby-steps – what’s the most effective project approach?

Business Software, CRM, CRM EN, Digital Transformation, Digital Transformation, ERP, ERP, Microsoft, Microsoft Dynamics 365, software, software

These days, there is a multitude of reasons to create huge implementation projects. And to be honest, each and every single argument to add to your project scope can make sense.

Sure, this situation is tempting! You work with an older, outdated ERP/CRM solution that needs to be replaced urgently. Or you use an older version of a modern solution and there is pressure to upgrade to the latest version. Of course this is also a great moment to modernize your legacy business processes and fix the broken ones. Needless to say that the data must be cleaned up. Your end-users must be trained and inspired to get more out of the available functionality than in the current system. And yes – with this long awaited move, a wealth of innovative new technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things finally comes within reach. After all, you don’t want to miss the boat, right?

These days, there is a multitude of reasons to create huge implementation projects. And to be honest, each and every single argument to add to your project scope can make sense. No doubt about that! However, question is what you have learned from the ERP/CRM implementations that we’ve seen in the past say 40 to 50 years.

To freshen up your thoughts:

Customers are often optimistic when it comes to estimate their available time, skill sets, focus and motivation;

During the implementation, it’s not easy to stick to the initial plan;

Implementation projects have the tendency to take longer than expected;

These so called ‘big-bang’ implementations have caused disruption and sometimes even temporarily paralyzed complete organizations;

In today’s fast changing world, initial project principles can quickly become outdated.

Conclusion is that huge and long-lasting implementations with a wide and flexible project scope are ineffective. Not rarely, the problems become greater than the benefits. And the possible disruption of your day-to-day operation can cause a reduction of customer loyalty. Or even worse.

Implementing new software, adapting and modernizing your business processes and creating a fresh, new company culture means an enormous effort for your organization. And it demands a lot from your teams. Especially because you also have a business to run. So the alternative for a big-bang approach is to split the project into several smaller steps. And have the discipline to stick to the plan.
A series of smaller project steps delivers numerous advantages. A shorter time-to-value and the possibility to adapt more quickly to changing circumstances are certainly two of them.

In today’s fast changing world we all have to get used to constant change. Change as the only constant. So you no longer have to implement a perfect ERP/CRM solution that you then use for 5 or 10 years. It’s more effective to consider your digital transformation journey as a process rather than a project. And most likely as a process that is never completely finished.