Georgia Key, Sage Intacct Lead Project Manager for Percipient, highlights five of the most common mistakes organisations make when implementing new software, and identifies the best ways to avoid or overcome these for project success.
5 Mistakes Businesses Make with a Software Implementation
1. Resource availability
While most organisations accept that any project needs an appropriate amount of people on board, it’s not uncommon to underestimate the level of resources required. While it’s tempting to cut back a little in order to ensure business as usual in other areas of the enterprise, an under-resourced project team is likely to negatively impact the timescales, success and outcomes of the implementation. The key to overcoming this is to discuss requirements with your consultancy team at the outset. Through doing this, realistic expectations can be set and the right level of resources dedicated to project goals, while managing the availability of these resources against other demands from across the business.
2. Timescale management
Timescales are of course crucial in any project. Customers typically, and understandably, want a project to be completed as quickly as possible to ensure minimum business disruption and maximum value from their investment as quickly as possible.
Sage Intacct can be deployed in a matter of weeks, but in order to expedite the deployment window, time and resources must be allocated appropriately and realistically in the context of other business activities, demands and holidays. For example, avoiding busy times such as year-end, peak holiday times and events is crucial, and it’s always better to overestimate the level of time required and be ahead of schedule, rather than play catch up.
3. Data migration
Effective data migration is the cornerstone of a successful project and in most cases, it requires a lot of work to get it right. It’s pivotal to allow the right amount of time and resources to understand precisely what information needs to be migrated, including data cleansing, filtering and the population of data templates. Getting this right in the beginning not only supports best practices but also saves time and potential complexity further down the line, minimising any delays or hiccups.
4. Testing
Testing, testing and more testing is the mantra of each and every one of our Sage Intacct consultants, and with good reason. Testing the functionality and processes of every area within the software ensures that everything works as planned, and eliminates any surprises as the project gets underway. Crucially, this testing must extend beyond the core project or finance teams, with a range of people from across the business testing every aspect from day-to-day actions to functions designed to be used less frequently. Dedicating the time and resources to wide-scale testing can again, minimise disruption and maximise the potential for a seamless transition for users.
5. Project team roles and skills
Ensuring the right mix of skills, roles and experience in the project team can be a challenge but is fundamental if the right decisions are to be made throughout the duration of the implementation. It’s important to balance financial and non-financial roles, along with senior executives and day-to-day users in order to get a full business perspective.
By involving a broader mix of roles, seniority and departments from the outset, and fostering input and buy-in, user acceptance and time to value are much greater, compounding the success of the deployment even further.
Your Ultimate Implementation Partner
Following our tried and tested methodology, we work collaboratively with our customers to ensure the smoothest implementation possible. Ironing out the roles and responsibilities of all parties to ensure everyone is clear on the project objectives from the outset.
For more insight into financial management software implementations and how to be an informed buyer, take a look at our ultimate buyer’s guide which includes 6 key questions to ask before considering a move to a cloud-based solution and the 7 things to make sure you’ve got in writing.
Download the GuideAccounting Software Implementations
If you would like to know more about Percipient or the benefits Sage Intacct could have on your business, get in touch or call us on 01606 871332.