ERP implementations are a big deal for any organization, but they can also be messy. Whether you’re a manufacturer, distributor, or engineering firm, adopting a new ERP system is about more than just installing software. It’s about transforming how your entire business operates.
Drawing from real-world client experience and industry insights, we’re breaking down exactly what you can expect before, during, and after ERP implementation.
Before: The Strategic Setup
- Most ERP Failures Are Preventable But Common
Here’s a reality check: over 70% to 80% of ERP implementations fail, depending on how you define “failure” (McKinsey). Whether it’s unmet business goals, blown budgets, or prolonged timelines, many organizations don’t get what they signed up for. But failure isn’t inevitable. It’s often the result of avoidable missteps. - ERP Isn’t Just Tech—It’s People, Process, and Change
According to TechTarget, only 4% of ERP success comes from the technology itself. A staggering 96% depends on everything else: strategy, people, and processes. Yet most businesses flip that ratio, overinvesting in tech while underinvesting in change management and training.
What You Should Be Doing:
- Set measurable business goals (e.g. “cut order processing time by 30%”)
- Map out current and future-state processes
- Clean your data early or duplicate records will come back to bite
- Build your A-team: include IT, operations, finance, and end-users
- Choose the right ERP + partner: industry experience is everything
During: Execution, Testing & Change
- Go-Live Isn’t the Problem. It’s What Happens That Day
More than 50% of ERP go-lives result in major operational disruption. We’re not talking about minor hiccups. We’re talking about not being able to ship orders, close the books, or run payroll. These disruptions aren’t new. They’re predictable when change management, training, or testing are rushed. - You Can’t Manage What You Don’t Measure
Only 13% of companies actively measure user adoption after ERP rollout. If you’re not checking how well your team is using the system, chances are… they’re not. Adoption is what determines long-term success.
What You Should Be Doing:
- Stick to scope to avoid costly “feature creep”
- Train users early and often, not just at the end
- Run user acceptance testing (UAT) with real scenarios
- Prioritize change management: the number one challenge cited by CIOs after go-live
- Track adoption KPIs (e.g., % of users entering data correctly, report usage)
After: Optimize, Measure & Evolve
- Business Value Is the Real Goal
You didn’t implement ERP to “go live.” You did it to improve your business. But most organizations never track whether that value was delivered. Start evaluating ERP success based on outcomes: profitability, productivity, and customer satisfaction. - Post-Launch Is Where Real Success Begins
Stabilization takes 60 – 90 days. Optimizing the system and your processes can take a year. But organizations often cut support or move on too quickly.
What You Should Be Doing:
- Monitor KPIs post-go-live – daily, weekly, and monthly
- Host retrospectives with project leaders and users
- Continue training as updates and team roles evolve
- Explore add-ons like forecasting tools, mobile apps, or reporting dashboards
- Budget for support and optimization, not just launch
Why 3D Tek Is Your ERP Talent Partner
At 3D Tek, we don’t implement ERPs – we help build the teams that can. We source high-impact CIOs, digital transformation leaders, ERP program managers, and systems architects who have been in the trenches. Whether you’re looking for a full transformation team or a single change leader, our proprietary eTRACCS methodology ensures fit across technical expertise, industry background, and organizational culture.
Your ERP implementation is only as strong as the team behind it.
ERP is a Journey, But You Don’t Have to Take It Alone
- 80% of ERP implementations fail. Don’t be part of that stat
- 96% of your success depends on non-tech factors
- Change management is the number one key to avoiding disruption and driving ROI
3D Tek connects you with the talent that gets transformation done – on time, on value, and with staying power. Contact us today.
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Our goal is to match human capital needs with highly qualified individuals as quickly and efficiently as possible, with the end goal of enhancing the client’s organizational capability.