Research Paper on ERP System Implementation and Its Challenges

Introduction

Being the CIO of XXX enterprise, it is my full responsibility to ensure that I fulfill all the roles of a business leader. I must make important decisions pertaining things like purchase of IT equipment from those supplying it and most importantly in the creation of new IT systems. As the Chief Information Officer in this enterprise, I am responsible for mapping out ICT strategy at the same time ICT policy of the enterprise. This strategy includes future proofing, procurement, and all standards laid out by the enterprise. All these lead to better performance of the enterprise which finally results in good output.

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While establishing and implementing the ERP system of the enterprise, many challenges were encountered. The system was going so wrong. As a CIO it is my role to determine what was causing the problems in the project. First and foremost, I would check on the gatherings required for the project to be successfully implemented. ERP system requires many processes, and maybe some processes were skipped which were leading to poor outcome of the system. I would critically examine the software involved in the implementation and also address business-critical issues before migrating to the new system.

Furthermore, another possible reason that could be leading to the breakdown of the newly implemented system would possibly be not budgeting properly for technology. Thus I would sensitively revisit the budgeting to determine if there was an underestimate in the expenses involved in the implementation of the system. It is not possible to achieve more with less hence it is better to put more expense and achieve the best. Moreover, I would check on the point of indulgence of end-users in decision making on the new ERP system. Possibly the system would be engaging in difficulties due to failure to include end-users from all departments in the enterprise. Filing to engage all employees in decision making about the new system of the enterprise definitely will not lead to a success of it.

Additionally, my other point of focus on the breakdown of the system would be on investigating whether all departments communicate information to the system. This would be another possible reason why the ERP system would be having problems and difficulties in establishing and implementing it. Finally, I would investigate to find out if the enterprise had a maintenance plan. A good ERP system needs all-time maintenance strategy that helps and improves the system on a routine basis. Maybe the type of the ERP system installed was outdated, and the reason for its difficulty in implementation and therefore would recommend on the establishment of a system with the latest applications.

Conclusion

As per my knowledge, I would rather engage my employees in tracking down the causes that lead to poor outcomes of the newly implemented system. I would engage all employees across all departments so that each an every person would suggest the causes of the breakdown and who knows, we might find the problems as soon as possible. Many heads brought together would yield the best outcome.

My choice for preferring an in-house talent is major because it would be cost effective rather than employing another outside expert to determine the cause of the breakdown of the new system. Looking for an outdoor consultant would mean extra cost for hiring him or her. So the better option is to communicate with my employees best talented in the software system to investigate the matter.

References

Maina, W. N., & Njoroge, Z. M. (2014). Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System Implementation: Challenges and Solutions. Saarbrucken: LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing.