Applied Project Management: ERP System Implementation Analysis

This report delves into the application of project management principles, specifically PMBOK, within the context of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system implementation. It begins by defining ERP systems and outlining the phases of PMBOK, emphasizing the importance of planning, stakeholder management, and commitment. The report then explores scope management, highlighting its role in defining project boundaries and ensuring successful outcomes. It also examines the growth of the ERP market, focusing on adoption across various industries and the benefits of ERP solutions, including both tangible and intangible advantages. Furthermore, the report identifies essential tools for ERP system integration, such as data management, application interfaces, workflow management, communication tools, and analytical tools. The analysis underscores the critical factors for successful ERP implementations, providing a comprehensive overview of the key considerations for project managers and organizations seeking to leverage ERP systems effectively.

Running head: APPLIED PROJECT MANAGEMENT
APPLIED PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Name of the student
Name of the University
Authors Note:

1APPLIED PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Table of Contents
Answer to Question 1..........................................................................................................2
Answer to Question 2..........................................................................................................3
Answer to Question 3..........................................................................................................4
Answer to Question 4..........................................................................................................5
References............................................................................................................................6

2APPLIED PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Answer to Question 1
An Enterprise Resource System(ERP) is nothing but a software package which allow an
organization for efficient management of its available resources which is inclusive of material,
people and lastly equipment. PMBOK is not defined by a rigid life cycle instead of that it is
defined by a sequence of phases which consists of following phases like initiation, Planning,
Execution, monitoring and closing phase. The implementation of ERP system has become new
way to achieve supply chain management and to have competitive advantage from it. PMBOK
stands for project management body of management of knowledge which is used by various
project managers for analyzing different success factors which take place during the
implementation of a project. The critical factor generally consists of planning and involvement
and commitment of various higher management and stakeholder management (da Silva Gomes,
2013). As per PMBOK, project management generally focuses on the application of knowledge
and proper tools to activities on project to meet the needs of various project.
Answer to Question 2
Scope management is important in a project because it helps in checking the scope of
project in a proper and define way and it helps project managers and executive to provide the
right quantity of work which is required for successful implementation of a project (Gomes,
2013). PMBOK state project scope as the right amount work which is needed to be completed
for providing the right amount of work, services with proper function. There are three phases of
project scope management that are planning, controlling and lastly closing.
There are two steps involved in management of scope of project that are defining the
requirements of project and understanding the needs of the project. The needs of a project are an

3APPLIED PROJECT MANAGEMENT
important factor for setting up of timeline of the project and having goals of project. For proper
defining of scope, it is essential for establishing the requirements of a project. The steps involved
in defining the scope of project are project of objectives, goals, sub-phases, resource, budget and
schedule.
Scope can be controlled by checking the particular ERP product, explaining in details
that how the features of product will help the business activity (da Silva Gomes, 2013). A scope
is generally less valuable if the project team and various stakeholders related to the project do not
get an idea that how ERP will support the business. There may be cases in which the features of
ERP product is in scope with limited functionality.
Answer to Question 3
ERP market has grown a lot in recent years and a number of manufacturing firms like
automotive, oil and pharmaceutical organization have already adopted ERP solution and making
ERP ruling over the various organization. In the early days various ERP solution like finance and
accounting and manufacturing are the most popular ERP modules (Gomes, 2013). On the
contrary various domains like plant maintenance, HR and service module have also started using
ERP. Various industrial sectors like cement, power and food have implemented ERP solution for
satisfying their needs.
SME are considered to be the largest user of ERP in the current market all around across
the globe. SME segment mainly aims in providing low cost ERP solution like eresource ERP
which mainly work in country specific location and providing large pool for skilled and technical
talents (da Silva Gomes, 2013). Many times these benefits are quite difficult to prove on grounds
of statistics as they impossible to calculate in practical. Soft benefits are inclusive of

4APPLIED PROJECT MANAGEMENT
transparency, comfort in work life, change in attitude. Various organization must set their
objectives before the implementation which is followed by calculating the achievements after
ERP implementation.
Answer to Question 4
For fulfilling the needs of ERP system the following tools must be integrated in it. These
tools are data management, data warehouse, information management, Application and interface
with proper permission control, workflow management, reporting, communication, analytical,
resource allocation and task scheduling tool.
Data management/ data warehouse / information management tool: Data storage and
management of information with proper workflow in various departments are considered as a
backbone of any ERP system. Various solution and tools are available for proper storage of data
which is inclusive of databases from various organization like Oracle and Sybase (da Silva
Gomes, 2013). As per the needs of an industry an appropriate one is selected. A manufacturer
can easily transactional database to be more useful as the transaction moves through different
status on the contrary a content writing company can find CMS repository system with version
control for satisfying their requirements.
Application and interface with suitable permission control: Data storage and
management mainly requires read only or process of editing to access the process of data. After
the manufacturing of item, it is marked as inventory and after that stock management team marks
it as ready for sale (Gomes, 2013). For achieving this easy use of application and interface are
proved to be an important part of ERP system are used which have definite control and

5APPLIED PROJECT MANAGEMENT
permissions. In a similar way a content ERP tool is used by editor to make any changes in the
content for review and only the editor has the right to make any changes.
Workflow management tool: An ERP system consist of multiple modules of data where
data updates and actions tends to follow a logical sequence which can satisfy the needs of
business. Workflow works in a similar way as the mind controls the various functions of body.
A workflow with proper access at many levels is considered to be important for any ERP
solution.
Communication tool: Communication is considered to be a mandatory tool for any
system working in various departments. ERP systems offer various tools which works on the
principle of instant messaging, chat and generation of mail.
Analytical tool: Analytical tool can be integrated with an ERP system for achieving
business intelligence, prediction of analysis and analysis related to data mining. These tools are
used for achieving better decision with available data.

6APPLIED PROJECT MANAGEMENT
References
da Silva Gomes, R.M., 2013. Contributions of the PMBok to the Project Management of an ERP
System Implementation. Revista de Gestão e Projetos, 4(2), p.153.
Gomes, R.M.D.S., 2013. Contributions of the PMBOK to the Project Management of an ERP
System Implementation.