Why did Your ERP Project fail?: Lack of Project Management Skills
The project manager plays a strong role in managing expectations and project risks. Project failure can harm the stakeholders and the organization. ERP projects are complex, risky and costly. In this article, we will focus on project managers and their impact on the success or failure of a project.
There are many skills required of the project manager. It mostly requires a good communicator that is well organized. There are well known certifications for project management. However, certification alone does not always translate into a good project manager.
When the project leaders lack the skills, experience, authority or communication abilities to manage the ERP project effectively. This means that they do not have the knowledge, expertise, power or influence to lead and coordinate the ERP project and its stakeholders. For example:
The project managers may not have the skills to plan, execute, monitor and control the ERP project activities and deliverables. They may not know how to use the project management tools and techniques, such as the project charter, scope, plan, schedule, budget, quality, risk, communication, procurement and stakeholder management.
The project managers may not have the experience to handle the complexity, risk and cost of the ERP project. They may not have worked on similar or previous ERP projects or have learned from their successes or failures.
The project managers may not have the authority to make decisions, allocate resources, resolve issues or enforce changes for the ERP project. They may not have the support or trust of the senior management or the sponsors of the ERP project.
The project managers may not have the communication abilities to communicate clearly and effectively with the ERP project stakeholders. They may not know how to listen, understand, inform, persuade or negotiate with the customers, sponsors, team members and end users of the ERP project.
Lack of Project Management Skills can lead to several problems for the organization and the project. For example:
The project may face delays, overruns, errors or changes due to lack of leadership or coordination for the ERP project activities and deliverables.
The project may face quality issues or technical glitches due to lack of expertise or contingency for the ERP project solutions or outcomes.
The project may face conflicts or confusion due to lack of decision-making or accountability for the ERP project requirements or risks.
The project may face user dissatisfaction or turnover due to lack of communication or engagement for the ERP project goals or benefits.
Why does poor project management happen?
poor project management can happen due to various reasons. Some of them are:
Lack of proper selection: The organization may not select the right person for the role of the ERP project manager. The organization may not consider the skills, experience, authority or communication abilities required for managing an ERP project effectively.
Lack of proper training: The organization may not provide sufficient training for the ERP project manager. The organization may not equip the ERP project manager with the knowledge, expertise, power or influence needed for leading and coordinating the ERP project and its stakeholders.
Lack of proper support: The organization may not support the ERP project manager adequately. The organization may not give the ERP project manager the resources, tools, guidance or feedback necessary for planning, executing, monitoring and controlling the ERP project activities and deliverables.
How can poor project management be avoided?
poor project management can be avoided by following some best practices. Some of them are:
Select a competent project manager: The organization should select a competent person for the role of the ERP project manager. The organization should consider the skills, experience, authority and communication abilities required for managing an ERP project effectively.
Train the project manager: The organization should provide sufficient training for the ERP project manager. The organization should equip the ERP project manager with the knowledge, expertise, power and influence needed for leading and coordinating the ERP project and its stakeholders.
Support the project manager: The organization should support the ERP project manager adequately. The organization should give the ERP project manager the resources, tools, guidance and feedback necessary for planning, executing, monitoring and controlling the ERP project activities and deliverables.
By avoiding poor project management, the organization can increase the chances of a successful ERP project that delivers on time, on budget and on benefits.
Until Next Time…
