The acquisition, implementation, replacement, or upgrading of IT systems - particularly large and business-critical systems - are unusual events for many companies. For smaller businesses, large IT system projects – such as ERP project - can be once-in-generation events.
Large IT project requires interdisciplinary knowledge in technology and business which induces various headaches for many organizations. How do we ensure that the system optimally meets the needs of our business while ensuring cybersecurity and scalability with the growth of the business? How is such a system acquired or how is it seamlessly implemented in the organization? How do we ensure the new systems stay future-proof and competitive in the AI era? How to even initiate a project that nobody in the company is an expert in?
Large IT projects are not doomed to fail
There is no ready-made formula for a successful system project. The industry, company's size, geography, IT legacy, and organizational structure determine parameters for the optimal system and the system provider. Corporate culture, hierarchy, and management system influence how communication, deployment, and production usage are organized. However, a system can be successfully acquired, implemented, replaced, or upgraded by following battle-tested methods and recognizing the most common and hazardous pitfalls that are typical culprits for side-tracking the project.
How to overcome the pitfalls?
Even though there are infinite number of reasons why an IT project, like ERP project, can get side-tracked, far too often projects fail due to the most typical reasons. Insufficient preparation leads to delays in the implementation. Future-proofness is destroyed by copying routines and practices from the past. The project fails to achieve a forward-looking partnership with the supplier, and instead ends up in a change request trap rather than creating value.
With the help of skilled experts, the most common pitfalls can be avoided. Additionally, expertise can help to identify and address more latent challenges, such as those caused by the company's organizational or management culture. And most importantly, with the help of an expert you will have someone in the project team who knows what works and what doesn’t.
How can KPMG assist you?
At KPMG, we have helped many customers successfully acquire and implement large, business-critical systems, such as ERPs, HRMs, or CRMs. Our global frameworks and tools allow our clients to implement future-proof solutions and unlock value in technology projects fast. With our extensive network of experts, we can provide assistance in all aspects of IT project life cycle, from system strategy design and project management to cybersecurity consulting as well as contract law.
Your company's IT system project can be successful. We are here to help you make it so!
