ERP Implementation Questions to Ask
Essential questions to evaluate ERP systems, implementation partners, and ensure successful digital transformation.
1What is the total cost of ownership including licensing, implementation, training, and ongoing support?
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What is the total cost of ownership including licensing, implementation, training, and ongoing support?
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Why this works
Reveals the complete financial picture of the ERP investment and helps you budget for all phases of the project.
2How long will the implementation take and what are the key milestones?
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How long will the implementation take and what are the key milestones?
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Why this works
Provides realistic timeline expectations and helps you plan for the impact on your business operations.
3What is your experience with companies in our industry and size?
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What is your experience with companies in our industry and size?
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Why this works
Ensures the implementation partner has relevant experience and understands your specific business challenges.
4How will the ERP system integrate with our existing systems and data?
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How will the ERP system integrate with our existing systems and data?
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Why this works
Reveals the complexity of data migration and integration, which can significantly impact implementation success.
5What training and support will be provided to our team during and after implementation?
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What training and support will be provided to our team during and after implementation?
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Why this works
Shows the commitment to user adoption and ensures your team will be prepared to use the new system effectively.
6What are the security features and how will our data be protected?
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What are the security features and how will our data be protected?
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Why this works
Addresses critical data security concerns and ensures the ERP system meets your security requirements.
7How customizable is the system and what limitations exist?
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How customizable is the system and what limitations exist?
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Why this works
Reveals the flexibility of the ERP system and whether it can adapt to your specific business processes.
8What is the upgrade path and how often will updates be required?
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What is the upgrade path and how often will updates be required?
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Why this works
Shows the long-term maintenance requirements and helps you plan for future system evolution.
9How will the implementation affect our daily operations and what is the rollback plan?
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How will the implementation affect our daily operations and what is the rollback plan?
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Why this works
Prepares you for the operational impact and ensures there's a safety net if issues arise during implementation.
10What are the reporting and analytics capabilities of the system?
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What are the reporting and analytics capabilities of the system?
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Why this works
Reveals the business intelligence features and whether the system can provide the insights you need.
11How does the system handle multi-location or multi-entity operations?
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How does the system handle multi-location or multi-entity operations?
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Why this works
Shows whether the ERP can handle your organizational structure and geographic distribution.
12What are the mobile capabilities and remote access features?
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What are the mobile capabilities and remote access features?
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Why this works
Reveals the system's flexibility for remote work and mobile access, which is increasingly important.
13How will the system handle our specific business processes and workflows?
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How will the system handle our specific business processes and workflows?
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Why this works
Ensures the ERP can accommodate your unique business requirements and doesn't force you to change critical processes.
14What are the data backup and disaster recovery capabilities?
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What are the data backup and disaster recovery capabilities?
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Why this works
Shows the system's reliability and protection against data loss, which is crucial for business continuity.
15How will the system scale as our business grows?
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How will the system scale as our business grows?
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Why this works
Ensures the ERP can accommodate future growth and won't become a limitation as your business expands.
16What are the integration capabilities with third-party applications?
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What are the integration capabilities with third-party applications?
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Why this works
Reveals the system's ability to work with other software you use and maintain your existing technology ecosystem.
17How will the system handle compliance requirements for our industry?
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How will the system handle compliance requirements for our industry?
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Why this works
Shows whether the ERP can help you meet regulatory requirements and maintain compliance.
18What is the user interface like and how intuitive is it for our team?
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What is the user interface like and how intuitive is it for our team?
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Why this works
Reveals the user experience and whether your team will be able to adopt the system easily.
19How will the system handle our specific data requirements and formats?
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How will the system handle our specific data requirements and formats?
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Why this works
Ensures the ERP can work with your existing data structures and doesn't require extensive data transformation.
20What is the ongoing support model and how will issues be resolved?
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What is the ongoing support model and how will issues be resolved?
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Why this works
Shows the long-term support strategy and ensures you'll have help when problems arise after implementation.
Best Practices for ERP Implementation
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Involve Key Stakeholders
Include representatives from all departments that will use the ERP system to ensure their needs are addressed.
Plan for Change Management
Prepare your team for the changes the ERP will bring and provide adequate training and support.
Start with a Pilot
Consider implementing the ERP in one department or location first to test and refine the approach.
Question Sequences
The Cost and Timeline Assessment
The Technical Capability Evaluation
Common Pitfalls
Don't Underestimate the Complexity
ERP implementations are complex projects that require significant time, resources, and change management.
Avoid Customizing Too Much
Excessive customization can make the system difficult to maintain and upgrade. Consider if you can adapt your processes instead.
Don't Ignore User Adoption
The best ERP system won't help if your team doesn't use it effectively. Invest in training and change management.