Business Originals

The Roadmap for a Successful ERP Implementation

Why does a clear ERP roadmap still lead to delays, overruns, and failure?

Key takeaways of this session:
  • ✔
    Why a 'grand-design' approach is doomed to fail, and what succesful strategies look like.
  • ✔
    How to overcome project sabotage and create a culture of excitement around change.
  • ✔
    The blueprint for success: How to design your ERP system before implementation begins.
duration 28 minutes
who is this webinar for CIOs, IT Directors, ERP Program Managers, Digital Transformation Leaders, Process Owners, Operation Directors, Change Managers
Summary
Organizations invest heavily in ERP systems like SAP but fail to realize business value due to poor implementation approaches. In this session, Eric Kimberling explains why ERP success depends on people, processes, and decision-making - not just technology. You’ll learn how to define a clear operating model, reduce decision latency, and align leadership with execution. The result: faster implementations, stronger employee buy-in, and measurable business outcomes.
Speakers
 
Eric KimberlingThird Stage Consulting Group
 
Hans MulderAntwerp Management School
 
video Chapters
01:10
ERP explained: integration of processes, data, and decision-making across the enterprise
04:30
Why ERP failures happen: lack of planning, vision, and best practices
09:00
Decision latency and its impact on project success and morale
16:30
Why design and blueprinting determine implementation success
In partnership with Third-Stage-Consulting-Group.jpg

 

From Technology-Driven ERP Projects to Business-Driven Transformation

An overview of why ERP implementations fail and what organizations must change in planning, leadership, and execution to achieve real business value.


problem-solving
Technology-First Thinking Causes ERP Failure

Organizations still treat ERP as a software deployment instead of a business transformation. This leads to over-reliance on tools, delayed decision-making, and unclear processes. Teams struggle with conflicting priorities, while employees face uncertainty about their roles. Traditional approaches - like siloed decision-making, static spreadsheets, and late-stage planning - result in delays, budget overruns, and limited business value.


solutions
Delay in Decisions Kills Project Momentum

ERP systems are increasingly configurable and complex, which increases the risk of misalignment without a clear upfront vision. When organizations postpone decisions, projects slow down, costs increase, and morale drops. Decision latency creates uncertainty across teams, leading to resistance and reduced adoption. In a competitive environment, organizations can no longer afford slow, reactive ERP implementations.

not-equal
Plan Deeply Before Deploying Technology

Successful ERP implementations shift from reactive execution to structured design. Organizations must define a future-state operating model, end-to-end business processes, and decision frameworks before implementation begins. This approach aligns strategy with execution, reduces ambiguity, and provides clear guidance for teams. It also ensures that technology supports business goals instead of dictating them.

exclamation-mark
Front-Loaded Decision-Making Accelerates Delivery

Organizations that move decision-making to the planning phase create a strong implementation foundation. Instead of spending months resolving conflicts during deployment, teams operate within a predefined blueprint. This reduces delays caused by discussions and rework. As stated in the session, making decisions upfront prevents costly slowdowns where teams and consultants wait, increasing both timelines and operational costs.

“The real success comes from changing the business and
'changing' the people within the business.”

FAQ's

Why do ERP implementations fail according to Eric Kimberling?

ERP implementations fail primarily due to poor planning, lack of a clear future-state vision, and insufficient focus on people and processes. In the webinar, Eric Kimberling explains that organizations often “don’t take the time to plan” and fail to define what they want to become. This results in decision delays, misalignment, and ultimately failure to deliver business value.

What is the most important success factor in ERP implementation?

Executive sponsorship and decision-making are critical success factors. The session states that a strong sponsor must actively translate business strategy into an ERP vision and stay involved in decisions throughout the project. Simply approving budget or showing surface-level support is not enough and leads to misalignment between strategy and execution.

Should ERP implementations be top-down or bottom-up?

The webinar recommends a hybrid approach. A top-down vision provides direction and structure, while bottom-up involvement ensures employee buy-in and adoption. Without top-down clarity, teams revert to old processes. Without bottom-up input, organizations risk resistance and lack of ownership across the business.

What is decision latency and why does it matter in ERP projects?

Decision latency refers to delays in making key decisions during an ERP implementation. The webinar describes how slow decisions create a “snowball effect”: teams wait, costs increase, and morale drops. Faster decision - even if imperfect - help maintain momentum and can be corrected later, making them more effective than delayed “perfect” decisions.