Poor planning leads to budget overruns, user resistance, and costly delays. Here’s how to avoid the traps and get real ROI from your ERP investment.

Step 1: Define Clear Objectives

Start with the “why”. Are you reducing stockouts? Speeding up invoicing? Automating payroll? Write SMART goals and secure stakeholder buy-in from day one.

Step 2: Map Current vs. Future Processes

Document every workflow. Use swimlane diagrams to visualize handoffs between departments and expose hidden bottlenecks.

Step 3: Choose the Right ERP Partner

Look beyond features. Ask: Do they understand Kenyan tax laws? M-Pesa integration? Offer local support in Swahili?

Step 4: Data Migration Strategy

Clean data first. Use ETL tools. Run parallel systems for 2 weeks. Never go live on a Friday.

Step 5: Train Champions, Not Just Users

Pick 1–2 power users per department. Train them deeply. Let them train others. This reduces resistance by up to 70%.

Step 6: Phased Go-Live

Start with Finance → Inventory → HR. Monitor KPIs daily. Fix issues before moving to the next phase.

Step 7: Post-Launch Optimization

Schedule monthly health checks. Build feedback loops. Add custom reports. Scale as your business evolves.

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