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What are 2-3 key traits you look for in an ERP implementation manager?
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When searching for an ERP implementation manager, it can be tempting to focus primarily on traditional project management skills. While those skills are essential, certain foundational personal attributes should be the starting point. Rushabh mentions some of these attributes, and I would build on his comments by adding:
1. Good judgement.
Every aspect of an ERP project involves trade-offs, including resources, time, money, goals, and so on. The ability to balance competing goals is therefore a paramount consideration for any ERP implementation manager.
2. Relevant experience.
Implementing ERP is the Olympics of IT-related activities, so lots of relevant experience is definitely a prerequisite for success. Especially on larger projects, the cost of failure can be damaging to a company with equally high risks. Therefore, learning on the job is not ideal. Finding someone with substantial experience is the best way to prevent obvious mistakes and also to ensure the person has a sufficiently high level of good judgment.
3. Business experience and technical skills.
Successful ERP implementations always involve a coming together of business and technical interests inside the organization. This is often called "alignment" between the business and IT. An ERP implementation must therefore have the ability to serve as a bridge between these two groups.
An effective ERP Implementation Manager needs to have a long list of skills and experiences, but 3 that are a little harder to determine from a resume are...
1. Purposeful Diplomacy - Being a diplomat just to keep the peace is helpful but may not always move things forward. An implementation manager needs to perform most activities with the singular focus of moving things forward. Being professional and tactful in communications is key. Be willing to say what needs to be said in order to get done what needs to be done.
2. Experiential Intuition - Having good instincts is hard to train, but what often appears to be 'intuition' or a 'good gut' is well-supported by someone's experience. ERP software, by its nature, is cross-departmental, so having someone who can really listen and respond both laterally and longitudinally in an organization is essential. Better yet, someone with the proper experience will be able to anticipate questions and concerns before they arise.
3. Hands-on Participant - You neither want a micro-manager nor someone who tunnels into the details so much that he neglects the higher level responsibilities; however, you do want someone who is willing to get his hands dirty. When you're in the trenches, every person needs to be ready, willing, and able to remove obstacles and make progress. A good ERP Implementation Manager can participate at a 'heads down' level when required without losing sight of the bigger picture.
I love Michael's comment about ERP implementations being the Olympics of IT-related activities - so true!
1. Analytic Skills - analyze large amount of data, spreadsheet automation
2. Personal Organizing - To-do lists, calendars, follow-ups
3. Communication and influencing skills - Play peacemaker, be firm when needed
Rushabh | ERPNext.com
Dana offers some excellent points on attributes of a great ERP manager. The best are more than merely project managers, but possess personal skills, good judgment, and excellent decision-making abilities.
Folks with all these characteristics, in addition to technical skills and experience, are hard to find. Perhaps that's one reason so many ERP implementations run late or over-budget.
1.former consultant, with hands-on experience from the (real) field, respected by his/her peers, with strong references from happy customers (same ERP product, or very close...)
2.strong type of personality, with no fear to fight for customer business/benefit (even with customer himself, if case be...)
3.able/willing to take over if any team member goes sick, for example...
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