Learn how to overcome the common challenges of user adoption of ERP systems as an executive, and foster a positive user experience with ERP systems.

Executives facing user adoption challenges in ERP systems should prioritize clear communication of the system's benefits, provide comprehensive training tailored to users' roles, offer ongoing support, and foster a culture of collaboration and feedback. Additionally, they can appoint change champions within departments to advocate for the system and address concerns. Regular evaluation and adjustment of adoption strategies based on user feedback are crucial for driving successful adoption.

What do you do if your executives are struggling to ensure successful user adoption of ERP systems?

User adoption is a critical factor for the success of any ERP system. ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning, which is a software solution that integrates various business functions and data into a unified system. ERP systems can improve efficiency, productivity, and decision-making, but only if users are willing and able to use them effectively. As an executive, you might face some challenges in ensuring successful user adoption of ERP systems, such as resistance to change, lack of training, or poor communication. In this article, we will share some tips on what you can do to overcome these challenges and foster a positive user experience with ERP systems.

1 Align ERP goals with business strategy

One of the first steps to ensure successful user adoption of ERP systems is to align the goals and benefits of the ERP system with the overall business strategy and vision. You need to communicate clearly and consistently how the ERP system will support the strategic objectives and priorities of the organization, and how it will create value for the stakeholders. You also need to involve the key users and managers in the planning and design of the ERP system, and solicit their feedback and input. This way, you can ensure that the ERP system meets the needs and expectations of the users, and that they feel a sense of ownership and commitment to the system.

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Dr. Umesh Pandit

Advisor Solution Architect at DXC Technology | Cloud Solution Architect, ERP AI
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Executives facing user adoption challenges in ERP systems should prioritize clear communication of the system's benefits, provide comprehensive training tailored to users' roles, offer ongoing support, and foster a culture of collaboration and feedback. Additionally, they can appoint change champions within departments to advocate for the system and address concerns. Regular evaluation and adjustment of adoption strategies based on user feedback are crucial for driving successful adoption.

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2 Provide adequate training and support

Another key step to ensure successful user adoption of ERP systems is to provide adequate training and support for the users. Training should not be a one-time event, but a continuous process that covers the basic and advanced features and functions of the ERP system, as well as the best practices and processes related to the system. Training should also be tailored to the specific roles and responsibilities of the users, and delivered in various formats, such as online, classroom, or on-the-job. Support should be readily available and accessible for the users, and include technical assistance, troubleshooting, feedback, and coaching. You should also monitor and evaluate the performance and satisfaction of the users, and identify and address any gaps or issues that might arise.

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Victor Pang Kin Lan, MBA, MEng

Retired Manager & Lecturer
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Training with hands-on ERP experience is an opportunity for ERP users to try and know how to perform their work using the ERP system with the help of the instructor after understanding the fundamentals of the relevant ERP modules. The learning outcome is about employees ready to use the ERP in their work environment with some support especially at the beginning. Post-go live training is needed for new features of future ERP upgrades, new ERP modules and new employees. ERP user support is required as long as the ERP is not retired. It nurtures the motivation and engagement of employees to continuously improve the firm's business processes by using the ERP system effectively and efficiently even when top management and staff change over time.

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3 Manage change and resistance

A third step to ensure successful user adoption of ERP systems is to manage change and resistance that might occur during and after the implementation of the ERP system. Change management is the process of preparing and guiding the users and the organization through the transition from the current state to the desired state with the ERP system. Change management involves communicating the vision and benefits of the ERP system, engaging and empowering the users and the champions of change, and creating a culture of learning and innovation. Resistance is the natural reaction of the users and the organization to the change that the ERP system brings, and it can manifest in various ways, such as denial, anger, or sabotage. Resistance can be overcome by listening and understanding the concerns and fears of the users, addressing and resolving any conflicts or problems, and rewarding and recognizing the achievements and contributions of the users.

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4 Optimize user experience and usability

A fourth step to ensure successful user adoption of ERP systems is to optimize the user experience and usability of the ERP system. User experience is the overall impression and feeling that the users have when interacting with the ERP system, and it can affect their attitude, behavior, and loyalty towards the system. User experience can be enhanced by ensuring that the ERP system is reliable, secure, fast, and easy to use, and that it provides relevant, accurate, and timely information and feedback to the users. Usability is the degree to which the users can achieve their goals and tasks with the ERP system, and it can affect their efficiency, productivity, and satisfaction with the system. Usability can be improved by ensuring that the ERP system is intuitive, user-friendly, customizable, and adaptable, and that it supports the workflows and processes of the users.

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5 Encourage collaboration and feedback

A fifth step to ensure successful user adoption of ERP systems is to encourage collaboration and feedback among the users and between the users and the ERP team. Collaboration is the process of working together and sharing information and knowledge with the ERP system, and it can foster a sense of community, trust, and engagement among the users. Collaboration can be facilitated by providing tools and platforms that enable communication, coordination, and cooperation among the users, such as chat, email, or social media. Feedback is the process of giving and receiving information and opinions about the ERP system, and it can foster a sense of improvement, learning, and innovation among the users. Feedback can be facilitated by providing mechanisms and channels that enable evaluation, suggestion, and appreciation of the ERP system, such as surveys, reviews, or ratings.

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Dinesh Deshmukh

Digital Transformation Leader | ERP Director at West Pharmaceutical Services
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There is no better way to achieve improved user adoption for your ERP than establishing the collaborative cadence with all your users for review and feedback. Earlier you do it, better you see improvements in user acceptance & adoption Promote collaboration and feedback by establishing open communication channels, user training sessions, and creating user forums. Encourage a culture of continuous reviews and improvement, where users feel empowered to share insights and suggest enhancements. Regularly collect feedback through surveys or meetings or even through offline discussions, use this information to make iterative improvements to the ERP system, ensuring better user adoption over time.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What do you do if your executives are struggling to ensure successful user adoption of ERP systems?

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3

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6

1 Align ERP goals with business strategy

2 Provide adequate training and support

3 Manage change and resistance

4 Optimize user experience and usability

5 Encourage collaboration and feedback

6 Here’s what else to consider

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

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What do you do if your executives are struggling to ensure successful user adoption of ERP systems?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Align ERP goals with business strategy

2 Provide adequate training and support

3 Manage change and resistance

4 Optimize user experience and usability

5 Encourage collaboration and feedback

6 Here’s what else to consider

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

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