University Project Management: ERP, PMBOK, and Tools Analysis

This report delves into the realm of applied project management, examining the integration of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK). It explores the core concepts of ERP, including its role in resource management, and the PMBOK's framework for project phases from initiation to closing. The report analyzes the significance of scope management in defining project boundaries and ensuring successful outcomes. It also provides an overview of the ERP market, highlighting the adoption of ERP software across various industries and the increasing use by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Furthermore, the report discusses the tools and software, such as NetSuite ERP, Sage 100 ERP, ECount ERP, SAP Business One, and Oracle E-Business Suite, that support ERP implementation. The report references key literature on project management, ERP implementation, and scope management to support its analysis.

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..........................................................................................................2
Answer to Question 3..........................................................................................................2
Answer to Question 4..........................................................................................................2
References............................................................................................................................2

2APPLIED PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Answer to Question 1
ERP stands for enterprise resource planning is a package of software which allow a firm
to efficiently manage its available resources which comprises of equipment, material and people.
PMBOK in general is not defined by rigid life cycle in spite of that it is defined by a range of
phases starting from initiation to closing. Adaptation of ERP software in the system has become
a new method to have supply chain management and gain competitive advantage from it(da Silva
Gomes, 2013). PMBOK is the acronym of project management body of management of
knowledge which is generally used by various project managers for checking various success
factors which can take place during the implementation of a project. Critical success factors
generally comprise commitment, planning and involvement of various management and
stakeholders. PMBOK mainly emphasizes on the implementation of various knowledge with
right tools and activities to satisfy the requirements.
Answer to Question 2
Scope management is considered to be vital for a project as helps in analyzing the scope
of a project in a right way which will ultimately help the project managers and various executive
in providing the right quantity of work which is essential for the success implementation of the
project (Gomes, 2013). PMBOK aims in providing proper amount of work, service and function.
There are generally three phases of scope management of a project which are planning, control
and lastly closing.
Two steps which are involved in the scope management are proper definition of the
requirements of a project and understanding the various requirements of a project (Grefen,
Pernici, and Sánchez, 2012). Requirements of a project are considered to be an important

3APPLIED PROJECT MANAGEMENT
parameter for setting the timeline and requirement of the project. Definition of scope is
important for creating the requirements of a project. Various steps involved in the scope
definition of project are objective, sub-phases, goals, budget and lastly resource.
Scope can be easily measured or controlled by analyzing specific ERP product and
provide explanation in details about the features of product which will benefit various business
activity (Kerzner, 2013). Scope is of low value if the team members of project and different
stakeholders associated with the project does have any idea about the fact that how ERP will
benefit or support their organization or business. In many cases the function of ERP product is in
scope and functionality with limit.
Answer to Question 3
The market of ERP has update a lot in the last few years and a large number of numbers
ranging from automobile and pharmaceutical have implemented ERP software in their system
and which has resulted that the ERP rules over the other business. Few years back various ERP
solution like manufacturing and finance are considered to be the most popular modules of ERP
(Burke, 2013). On the contrary in present time various domains of business like plant
maintenance, HR and service module have also started using ERP software in their systems.
Other industrial sectors like cement, power and food processing have also adopted ERP software
in their system for satisfying their requirements.
SME stands for small and medium size enterprises are considered to be biggest user of
ERP software in their system in present market all around the world (Schwalbe, 2015). SME
aims in providing cheaper ERP solution like eresource ERP which generally work in specific
location of a country and providing a platform for skilled and technical talents. In many cases

4APPLIED PROJECT MANAGEMENT
these advantages are hard to justify on the field of statics as they are hard to calculate in
practical. Some of the soft benefits are change in attitude, transparency and work life comfort
(Walker, 2015). Various firms are must have goals before the adaptation which is followed by
measuring the achievements of implementation of ERP.
Answer to Question 4
For satisfying the requirements of ERP software various tools must be added to it. These
tools are
 NetSuite ERP
 Sage 100 ERP
 ECount ERP
 SAP business one
 Oracle E-business suite
 Infro visual
 Intacct
 Odoo
 Financial Force ERP
 Epicor ERP
 Workwise ERP
 Microsoft Dynamics NAV
 ERP Next
 SYSPRO
 Compiere
 Priority software

5APPLIED PROJECT MANAGEMENT
 Acumatica
 IQMS
 QAD cloud ERP
 Deltek Cost point.
NetSuite ERP: NetSuite is considered to be one of the challenges of ERP system and it
has good position on the list which has a number of rewards. NetSuite provides a number of
solution to business which can be from various organization and domains. This ERP model will
help in providing mission critical processes which ultimately helps in providing enough area for
making adjustment in the business.
Sage 100 ERP: Sage ERP 100 is an another financial management which aims in
providing target towards small and growing business. It aims in providing all in one financial
management solution, full coverage of the required budget, it providing connection to sage data
cloud.
ECount ERP: ECount is generally used for its scalability and flexibility and can be used
to satisfying the needs of any firm without the requirement of little and no coding knowledge.
SAP Business One: It is a German ERP product which is known for its powerful
automation in any financial methods in small to medium size organization.
Oracle E-Business Suite: It is also known as EB suite which consists of various oracle
application which is known for its concise management of finance.

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References
Burke, R., 2013. Project management: planning and control techniques. New Jersey, USA.
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.
Grefen, P., Pernici, B. and Sánchez, G. eds., 2012. Database support for workflow management:
the WIDE project (Vol. 491). Springer Science & Business Media.
Kerzner, H., 2013. Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and
controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
Leach, L.P., 2014. Critical chain project management. Artech House.
Schwalbe, K., 2015. Information technology project management. Cengage Learning.
Walker, A., 2015. Project management in construction. John Wiley & Sons.