Question: What benefits have been realized with the use of Project Management Technologies on the implementation of ERP systems?
Reply: The benefits of using project management techniques well on ERP systems can be dramatic, but require real discipline and skill in project management. The discipline of project management (done well) requires clear definitions of tasks, individuals assigned to tasks, and real deliverables that mark the end of a task. Emphasis
should be placed on work breakdown structures, using earned value techniques (rather than percent complete), and time sheet data entry with regular reevaluation of "estimates to complete". Project teams should include IT, line of business and outside contractors, with an empowered leader for each team. Done correctly, using project management goes a long way to ensuring that ERP projects and on time, within budget and maintain scope.
Question: Implementing an ERP system requires large amounts of time, money, and resources. To provide better access to the data that this system now houses, does it make sense to use a corporate portal?
Reply: I think it is important to be clear about a number of overlapping technologies, all of which can add value to the Corporation: Corporate Portals: Generally speaking, a Corporate Portal is used to empower individuals in the organization to gain access to key information (e.g., current enrollment options in a 401K), as well as to make individual transactions (e.g., indirect procurement). This can be quite valuable to the organization, but presumes, of course, that data is readily available, and some business systems (e.g., on line purchasing) are in place. ERP Systems: ERP systems are implemented to provide cross functional business processes (e.g, order to cash, purchase to pay, make to demand) that are crucial to the organization. Developing a corporate portal doesn't necessarily remove the requirement for an ERP system.
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