ERP Organizational Change: Technology Strategy

Update: 2024-04-18

Description

ERP Organizational Change: Technology Strategy and Keys to Success

Episode Overview – Technology Strategy

In general, at the highest level of categorization, there seems to be consensus on the importance of people and culture, informational technology, and project management for successful ERP implementation. However, these are broad categories. Furthermore, extant research has not reached consensus as to which specific factors are most significant and critical towards ERP organizational change success. In this episode, we would like to focus on IT and technology management and offer some tactical tips, provide some practical guidance, and discuss IT and ERP strategy.

Please join us as we examine technology strategy. This episode will discuss the definition of IT success, implementation success rates in general, politics and information, the value of IT vision, the power of belief during IT implementations, the most critical components of building an effective IT Strategic Business & Technology Roadmap, and the value of proper systems selection.

https://episodes.castos.com/5fc108e0462768-18027408/1722503/c1e-6p8vs21d9msz2zx4-o87zj65gcpdd-qjp9qc.mp3

Meet the Guest – Technology Strategy Expert

Russ Finney

Director of MIS Undergraduate Programs | Assistant Professor of Instruction | UT Austin McCombs School of Business | Advisor & Speaker

Mr. Finney serves both as a lecturer and as the director of MIS undergraduate programs in the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas in Austin teaching technology & business strategy. He is also a senior partner the itmWEB Group where he assists with research projects and the Stratamation Network where he provides advisory services. Mr. Finney has also served as an Interim CIO or CTO for clients bridging executive needs or strengthening their IT capabilities.

Connect with Russ

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-russ-finney-159109/

Twitter https://twitter.com/rfinney

Websites:

itmweb.com (itmWEB Group LLC)

itmweb.com/russfinney.html (Speaking Biography)

itmweb.com/russfinneyspeakingtopics.html (Speaking Topics)

email: rfinney@outlook.com

Meet the Host

Dr. Jack G. Nestell

Founding Partner | Nestell & Associates

Dr. Jack G. Nestell is a highly accomplished IT and ERP business advisor, author, and speaker with over 30 years of experience in leadership and implementation of ERP systems across various industries. He is the founding partner of Nestell & Associates, a management and strategy firm that specializes in organizational change, readiness, and ERP implementation. Dr. Nestell is also an accomplished academic researcher who has contributed to ERP research. With his practical expertise and academic knowledge, he provides innovative and proven solutions for his clients.

Find out more at nestellassociates.com

Podcast “The ERP Organizational Change Journal“

Key Discussion Points for Technology Strategy:

Questions

[05:10 ] How would you define the success of an IT department in general in terms of bringing value to a business? How would you define the success of an ERP implementation specifically?

[10:51 ] Russ, on the itmWEB website an article called “Good Intentions Don’t Count – Systems in Production Do”. You share some various levels of successful assimilation and the article states “Why do some teams seem to make it to the end successfully, other teams just make it to the end, and others never get the chance? Why are some teams on a continual “high” throughout the project while the members of a team right across the hall seem to drag into work every morning?… Does some secret formula exist to ensure success, or is it just a matter of luck?” What is your thought on success rates in general whether IT or ERP projects?

[17:51 ] I would also like to share another article: “The Politics of Information and Projects“. The article shares that “Information is political… Companies, departments, and individuals all have the potential to create different political structures to protect and control the management of their information assets.” Tell me more, and how would this play into ERP organizational change?

[24:50 ] What can you say about the “birth” of a systems project whether it be IT and/or ERP? That is, what can you share with our listeners about system “Vision”? Is that one of the most important “first steps”?

[29:24 ] Can you share more about an article called “Management Excellence: Adjust the Size of your Thinking”? The article states that “Belief is a powerful force. It is an essential component of successful systems development projects. What some system builders fail to realize, however, is that belief is a result of a conscious decision. The team leader must decide that the system will indeed exist, instill this belief in his or her heart, and then transfer the feeling to the other members of the team.” Please explain more.

[32:24 ] What are the most critical components of building an effective IT Strategic Business & Technology Roadmap?

[33:57 ] With ERP selection, what is the general process for properly identifying the business requirements to be included in an RFP?

Golden Nugget:

[40:07 ] Russ, we could go on for hours. But our last question As fellow practitioners, we benefit from learning from our colleagues and friends, both “boots on the ground” as well as researchers. How would you summarize this conversation? If you had to distill your work into 3 or 4 sentences, what would you say to ERP organizational change practitioners?