ERP Project Cycle

The normal lifecycle of an ERP Implementation Project shall consist of the following milestones: 1. Business Process Study: Regular interactions with the client grow in order to understand the various business processes and the way they are presently carried out. 2. Pre-Implementation Training: A pre-implementation training, detailing the concepts and features, shall be given to all the end-users at the client site. This shall improve the lead time in collecting the inputs for the preparation of specifications. 3. Requirement Analysis: The requirements of the client are collected, using the SRS (Software Requirements Specification) form, to further the process study. 4. GAP Analysis: In relation to Information Technology, this analysis points out the differences or gaps that exist between the standard capabilities of the desired system & the expectations of the client. The deliverable is a GAP Report. 5. BMR (Business Mapping Report): This follow-up of the GAP Analysis should address the identified solution(s) for the gap areas. 6. Project Plan: This milestone shall set the actual plan for execution and roll out for the roles and task allocations. 7. Installation of Software: The Vanilla installation of the complete software should now be carried out to ascertain the infrastructure preparedness at the client site. 8. Customization of Forms & Reports: The Client's requirement as to the customization of forms (user interfaces) and reports (existing as well as new requirements) are addressed here. 9. Migration of Historical Data: Beyond the opening balance incorporation, if the client desires to bring the historical data, this step will be required to plan the conversion and clean up - prepare the data for the new environment. 10. Design of Routines & Workarounds: Though this is not a milestone, the additional routine and workaround requirements (as identified in the GAP & BMR) shall be addressed through this step. 11. Setup & Configuration: The new environment shall be setup based on the SRS and the software shall be configured (on different deployment methods) fully. 12. Testing Environment: A testing environment (a simulation of the live environment) shall be created in the new software to enable the end-users to acquaint and equip themselves for beginning in the live environment. 13. End-User Training: The next milestone shall be giving training to the end-users on the setup, configuration, transaction processing and report generation. This shall be the post-implementation training phase. 14. System Walk-Through: This milestone requires entry of sample transactions by the end-users in the testing environment. 15. Go Live: This is the Sign-Off phase where the project gets implemented. 16. Post Implementation Support: An immediate support commitment, subsequent to the implementation, and the detailed modes of support, etc., are given to the client.