{"id":4028,"date":"2022-10-19T16:29:43","date_gmt":"2022-10-19T14:29:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/reci.ch\/en\/?p=4028"},"modified":"2024-09-05T11:48:43","modified_gmt":"2024-09-05T09:48:43","slug":"change-management-when-introducing-a-new-erp-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reci.ch\/en\/blog\/change-management-when-introducing-a-new-erp-system\/","title":{"rendered":"Change management when introducing a new ERP system"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
If it is announced that something is changing, employee emotions such as fear, doubt and rejection are normal and important to enable change. Above all, the affected employees want to know what to expect and what they should change.<\/p>
Brief information about this is usually not enough. Because said does not mean heard and heard does not mean understood. Supervisors have to deal with the new project every day – the affected employees do not. For many people it takes a lot of effort to accept new IT technologies, even if they work better. Sufficient involvement of employees in the change process has proven to be a key factor for the successful implementation of an ERP project.<\/b> Ultimately, the end users are the ones who decide on the success and failure of the new ERP system.<\/p>
Therefore, some practical measures are mentioned here that have proven to be useful when introducing a new ERP system.<\/p>
1. Timely information and vision<\/b><\/p>
The manager should announce the news of the change to all employees as early as possible. Information two weeks before the start of the project is inconvenient and difficult to plan. Therefore, communication should take place several weeks in advance. Emphasize that change is inevitable and why this change is so important for the company. People primarily accept goals\/changes when they consider them meaningful and necessary.<\/p>
To do this, the manager must present an attractive vision with the new change. (E.g. \u201cThe new system brings with it many advantages and optimizations. The walking distances are shorter, errors are reduced\u2026etc.\u201d)<\/p>
2. Workshop<\/b><\/p>
Before the project starts, the affected employees can be explained in a short workshop (kick-off) what kind of change they will face (approx. 1 hour). Fears and anxieties, but also expectations, can also be addressed.<\/p>
The following is important to note:<\/p>
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3. Regular exchange
<\/b>The new project should be reported on again and again at regular meetings. Even when drinking coffee together. However, make sure that all affected employees are present.<\/p>
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4. Agile project management
<\/b>Set up clear sub-goals on the path to innovation and change. Achieving the sub-goals then increases the motivation to achieve the next goals (keyword: agile project management). Employees should be regularly informed about the achievement of milestones. (E.g. \u201cThe warehouse has been labeled. The material for picking is there. The training was successful\u201d). This feeling of being included also promotes motivation.<\/p>
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5. Be a role model
<\/b>The manager should always be convinced of the innovation\/change. Insecurities and dissatisfaction on the part of the manager are quickly transmitted to the employees and can disrupt the change process and even generate resistance.<\/p>
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6. Training
<\/b>Training for the new system is essential. Sufficient time must be planned for training and practical training opportunities. Announce the training early and involve all affected employees.<\/p>
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7. Show contact point
<\/b>Employees should always know: Where can I go as an employee if I have problems\/difficulties with the new system? Where do I get help? This increases the manageability of the new system and has a positive effect on motivation.<\/p>
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8. Make documentation and self-help materials freely accessible
<\/b>Keyword: Help for self-help. Before employees immediately pick up the phone or write an email because something isn’t working, make sure that they have the opportunity to find out more in the documentation or self-help documents of the new ERP system.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\tGet in touch. We will show you in a non-binding initial consultation how you can approach your new ERP project.<\/h4>