Executive Sponsorship is Key to SAP ERP Implementation Success
Sustained executive management support and ownership are critical determinants of successful SAP ERP software implementations.
KU ScholarWorks (The University of Kansas) · 2009
Key Findings
- 01Sustained executive management support and ownership are crucial for success.
- 02Effective project team composition, project management, process design, testing, and end-user training are vital.
- 03Lack of management support and user involvement/training/testing are primary causes of failure.
Application
Design takeaway
Prioritize securing and demonstrating ongoing executive sponsorship and ensure comprehensive user training and testing are integral to the implementation plan.
How to apply
When initiating or managing large-scale software implementation projects, develop a stakeholder engagement plan that specifically addresses executive involvement and clearly defines roles and responsibilities for management, project teams, and end-users.
Project actions
- 01When proposing a new system or process, clearly articulate the need for executive sponsorship and outline how it will be maintained.
- 02Include detailed plans for user training and testing in your project proposals and execution strategies.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Focuses on critical success factors, providing actionable insights.
- +Uses a comparative approach (success vs. failure) to identify key differentiators.
Limitations
The findings are based on a specific type of software (SAP ERP) and may not generalize to all software implementations. The study's age (2009) might mean some factors have evolved.
Reliability & validity
The reliability of the findings depends on the accuracy of the reported implementations in the analyzed articles. Validity is strengthened by comparing successful and failed projects to isolate key factors.
Think critically
How might the importance of executive sponsorship differ for smaller, less complex software projects compared to large-scale ERP implementations?
Design Principles
"Organizational change initiatives, particularly those involving complex technology integration, require visible and sustained leadership commitment to overcome resistance and ensure adoption."
Implementing complex enterprise software like SAP ERP requires significant organizational change and investment. Without strong, consistent backing from senior leadership, projects are prone to scope creep, resource misallocation, and ultimately, failure to achieve desired business outcomes.
What This Means for Your Design
For big software projects like SAP, the boss really needs to be behind it all the way, and people need to be trained properly for it to work.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of stakeholder management and project planning in your design project's background or justification.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
(2009). Critical Success Factors In Implementing SAP ERP Software. KU ScholarWorks (The University of Kansas). Retrieved from https://designdex.org/study/cde7cd5a-e67f-4d95-abda-f38a6daddb28/executive-sponsorship-is-key-to-sap-erp-implementation-success
Paragraph starter
Research indicates that successful implementation of complex enterprise software, such as SAP ERP, is heavily dependent on sustained executive sponsorship and comprehensive end-user training and involvement. Bhagwani's (2009) analysis of SAP implementations found that a lack of management support and user engagement were primary drivers of project failure, highlighting the critical role of leadership and user-centric planning in achieving desired outcomes.
Source
KU ScholarWorks (The University of Kansas)
Critical Success Factors In Implementing SAP ERP Software
journal · 2009
View sourceQuestions about this research
- What does the research say about executive sponsorship is key to sap erp implementation success?
- Prioritize securing and demonstrating ongoing executive sponsorship and ensure comprehensive user training and testing are integral to the implementation plan. Evidence: KU ScholarWorks (The University of Kansas) (2009).
- Why does "Executive Sponsorship is Key to SAP ERP Implementation Success" matter for design?
- Implementing complex enterprise software like SAP ERP requires significant organizational change and investment. Without strong, consistent backing from senior leadership, projects are prone to scope creep, resource misallocation, and ultimately, failure to achieve desired business outcomes.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Prioritize securing and demonstrating ongoing executive sponsorship and ensure comprehensive user training and testing are integral to the implementation plan.
- What were the main findings?
- Sustained executive management support and ownership are crucial for success.. Effective project team composition, project management, process design, testing, and end-user training are vital.. Lack of management support and user involvement/training/testing are primary causes of failure.
- What research method was used?
- Content analysis with 20 companies.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2009 journal from KU ScholarWorks (The University of Kansas).
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When initiating or managing large-scale software implementation projects, develop a stakeholder engagement plan that specifically addresses executive involvement and clearly defines roles and responsibilities for management, project teams, and end-users.
- What are the limitations?
- The study relies on reported implementations and may not capture all nuances of internal project dynamics. The definition of 'success' and 'failure' can be subjective.
- Is there evidence that sap erp affects design outcomes?
- Successful SAP ERP implementations are strongly correlated with consistent executive sponsorship and robust project management, including thorough user training and testing. Conversely, a lack of these elements often leads to project failure. Implementing complex enterprise software like SAP ERP requires significant or Source: KU ScholarWorks (The University of Kansas) (2009).
- Where does this executive sponsorship research apply?
- Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software implementation It sits within innovation & design research on designdex.org.
Related research topics
sap erp design research · evidence on sap erp · does sap erp improve design outcomes · executive sponsorship studies for designers · sap erp and executive sponsorship findings · innovation & design research evidence