Armanino Consulting
Microsoft Dynamics CRM & ERP Experts

Leading Microsoft Dynamics AX, Dynamics GP, and Dynamics CRM Partner, Reseller & ISV

Step-by-Step ERP Implementation Project Planning Guide

How to Select the ERP Software Solution that Best Meets Your Needs
Step-by-Step ERP Planning Guide

Consider our recommended step-by-step ERP implementation project planning guide outlined below. Self-assess where you are today in your ERP planning and decision process, then follow the relevant links to learn how Armanino Consulting can help advance your CFO Evolution program with the best ERP solution for your company.

*ERP Project Planning Approach*	*How We Can Help You At Each Step*
Step 1 - Mobilize Your ERP Selection Team Designate your ERP initiative sponsor, project lead, evaluation team and key stakeholders Ensure you have both senior management's and key stakeholder's full support before launching your ERP project planning process. Depending on their level of familiarity with current ERP system capabilities, you may want/need to do some education to make sure everyone is "on board."	Know the Telltale Signs Your Need A New ERP System (white paper) Review our ERP Solution Selection Process Step-by-Step Guide
Step 2 - Assess Your ERP Project Readiness How well defined, understood and documented are your current and future business and application requirements? Do you have a documented IT Strategy and a solution architecture vision in mind already? What are the consequences of an unsuccessful new ERP implementation? Of doing nothing? What type of business relationships have worked well for your company in the past? What things didn't work? Are your internal resources ready, willing and able to take 'ownership' of the implementation effort? What type and how much help are you looking for?	Take our ERP Project Readiness Self-Assessment (white paper) as input into your planning process. Read our Enabling the CFO Evolution white paper. Follow our Enabling the CFO Evolution Through IT white paper. Read our Planning Your IT Strategy white paper.
Step 3 - Define Your Business Requirements Align with your corporate strategy, goals, current state, and desired future state vision Understand how your CFO Organization compares to others Define/refine your business capability requirements Plan your high-level business architecture design to fill the gaps Plan your people, process and technology initiatives to execute the plan Define your high-level sourcing strategy Define your solution decision criteria	We bring industry insights and benchmark information along with an independent expert point-of-view on the business capabilities high performing CFO Organizations need to reach their full potential. We collaboratively guide you through the business planning and business requirement definition process to define/refine your CFO Evolution program. Help execute your CFO Agenda via a broad set of business consulting services and a unique client service approach. Provide tools to help define your solution decision criteria.
Step 4 - Plan Your IT Strategy Align with your business requirements Plan your high-level IT solution architecture design Define your software-specific selection criteria Select your standard IT platform and deployment option (cloud, on-premises, or hybrid) Identify viable sourcing options	Guide you through the technology planning process to define/refine your IT Strategy. Insights to help define your software selection criteria. Educate and advise you on the cloud, on-premise and hybrid IT platform and solution deployment options available.
Step 5 - Qualify ERP Software Products Define/refine your high-level application requirements. Research and evaluate ERP products against your software selection criteria Prepare for and review product demonstration(s) to assess which product(s) best meet your needs	Perform an in-person needs assessment to scope your application level requirements. Tools to help define your detailed application requirements. Review our ERP Buying Guide to learn what you need to know before selecting a new ERP system or signing a long-term SaaS contract. Share detailed ERP product comparison information between Microsoft and other competing third party software products. Prepare for and arrange a Product Demo.
Step 6 - Qualify ERP Implementation Service Providers Understand and evaluate their planning, implementation and support approach and capabilities Check references Assess which provider(s) you want to do business with	Learn about our Microsoft Dynamics AX Partner and Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner credentials and Industry Solutions. Take a closer look at our Microsoft Dynamics Cloud offerings. Know the Key questions to ask your prospective SaaS/cloud provider. See all the Microsoft Dynamics-related services we offer. Check our References (available upon request).
Step 7 - Select Your ERP Solution Provider Choose the ERP solution that best meets your current and expected future needs (based on software fit, implementation and support approach, risk mitigation, and TCO) Finalize contract with your chosen solution provider Launch your new ERP project	Learn more about how to buy Microsoft Dynamics software. We are your business and IT partner committed to making you successful! We deliver on-time, on-budget with high quality as expected. We offer a comprehensive customer support program to bring you new ideas, insights and tools to help continuously improve your business productivity and effectiveness.

Summary ERP Implementation Planning Guide Best Practices

As it is often said, "Failing to plan is planning to fail" and "If you don't know where you are going, any path will get there". Aligned with these timeless pearls of wisdom we submit, the difference between a successful and failed ERP project is often how much planning went into it upfront. Successful ERP projects are well-defined and well-planned. Unsuccessful ERP projects are typically poorly defined and not well-planned. Consequently, we urge you to follow our Step-by-Step ERP Implementation Project Planning Guide to make your ERP project a success!