Infor: What should your implementation team look like?
Implementing any of Infor’s product suite is a big business decision. Any new ERP system requires a large amount of investment in both time and money. Being able to get the implementation right first time is crucial.
Whether you’re a business implementing Infor for the first time, or you’re currently upgrading your Infor system version, you’ll need to consider what factors are involved in making an implementation successful. The greatest question is: Who do you need running your Infor implementation project?
Let’s talk you through the key players in a project:
The Executive Sponsor/Project Owner
The Executive Sponsor, or the Project Owner, is someone willing to take on a high level of responsibility for the project. In most cases, these senior members of the organisation are the ones who forefront the push for implementing business change (including the introduction of an ERP system).
This position is usually held by either:
- Chief Information Officers
- Chief Technology Officers
- Head of IT
Executive Sponsors (also known as Project Owners) will lead the developments from the front, liaise with key stakeholders, and have a clear vision of how an implementation should be directed.
The Project Manager
For any project to be successful, there needs to be a leader; and an implementation or upgrade project is no different either, requiring just that too. Whilst the Project Manager has varying roles and responsibilities, they are responsible for the success of the project. YourPM is the heart of your ERP lifecycle.
Project Managers are responsible for coordinating with the internal implementation team to update plans, as and when required. Other responsibilities may include:
- Being the primary contact point for employees when issues need resolution
- Reporting project progress
- Directing and driving the project team
- Managing schedules
- Managing project budgets and deadlines
The Super End-Users
The end users are made up of the internal employees who represent the companies’ different departments. They are the individuals who champion the ERP system and its development. The Super End-Users are essential to change processes and will drive user adoption post go-live.
- When necessary, end users will:
- Provide suggestions
- Analyse the need for any system customisations
- Be effective communicators and have a direct open dialogue with the project team, implementation partners, and the rest of the organisation.
Make sure you choose wisely when you choose your team of super end users. The team should be presenting qualities such as:
- Being fully engaged with the project
- Want to drive change
- Being bought into the project
Internal Functional Team
The ERP Functional Team is made of technical experts (not to be confused with outright technical consultants) from different areas of your organisation such as finance, manufacturing, supply chain etc.
Key responsibilities include:
- Being the driving force to others in their specific functional area
- Designing and configuring software parameters for their functional area
- Identify process improvements
Implementation Partner
Perhaps one of the most important decisions for any business to make is choosing their implementation partner. Making sure you choose the right implementation partner is just as important as choosing the vendor. Depending on your decision making, the success or failure of an implementation can be determined by the expertise and experience of your chosen partner.
It is important that you can clearly identify your goals when the initial discussions take place with the implementation partners.
Here are some things to consider:
- Their proven expertise
- Their plan for the project
- How responsive they are
- How transparent they are
- Previous reviews from similar projects
Our Connecting Experts
Are you looking to build a team for an Infor implementation?
Get in touch with our Infor specialists here at IT Works Recruitment Germany for expert advice on selecting the best candidates in the DACH Market.
Getting in contact with our ERP specialists means that we can provide you with support on systems such as: M3, LN, LX, Baan, S3, Movex, Syteline, ION, CloudSuite, SunSystems, d/EPM, CRM, EAM, and System21.
