A weak project kick-off can doom an ERP transformation before it even starts.
A great kick-off isn’t just a meeting, it’s the foundation for success.
Misaligned expectations, unclear objectives, and poor engagement at this stage lead to costly delays down the line.
In my career delivering business transformations through technology, I can think of a number of great project launches
– a joint Norwegian and UK led oil and gas programme, where the first locations to be impacted would be Brazil, Angola, Nigeria and Ghana (affectionately known as ‘BANG’)
– a joint UK and Netherlands manufacturing programme that would also roll-out to USA
– a UK based asset rental programme
As I look back, they each had something in common – each had time invested to ensure the awareness was shared and the desire (‘what’s in it for me’) built.
Opportunity was built in to address concerns and build team collaboration.
So, what makes a project kick-off 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 instead of just 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥?
A well-structured kick-off sets the tone for the entire ERP journey.
It creates alignment, builds momentum, and ensures teams are clear on their roles and responsibilities.
Here’s what should be in place:
𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮
𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽
𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀, 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻-𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸
𝗔 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗮𝗽
𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗧 𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁
𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁
𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆
𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿
How strong is your ERP project kick-off?
Have you set up the right structure, engagement, and alignment for success?
If you’re about to start, or feel your project needs a reset, let’s discuss how to strengthen your kick-off for long-term success.
