The better the new tools are, the more they underline the same old essentials. That was the message of a panel on “ERP: Lessons Learned” at the November meeting of PMI Maine.

Four veterans of recent implementations of Enterprise Resource Planning systems spoke and answered questions from an audience of 30 at a combined meeting with the Downeast Chapter, American Society for Production and Inventory Control.

Key points, from the panelists and from operations and project managers in the group:

• “The essence of ERP is to put systems and structure where there is chaos.”

• “If you overburden the end users with data, it detracts from the objective and creates inefficiencies.”

• “Identify the key stakeholders who can help you identify ‘wants’ vs. ‘needs’ and ‘what to do’ to keep it simple.”

A common theme which helped maintain the integrity of the project plan (and the sanity of the users!) was to actually have a project plan. People recalled their own experiences, in which efforts stalled and/or nearly failed because of the lack of a valid project plan.

A critical implementation step emphasized by the panelists was that of being very clear and accurate in determining the “before” state, and the desired “after” state. Part of that is clearly separating “what really happens” from “what we believe happens.

On a number of counts, the importance of involving lead users and/or key stakeholders at the earliest stage and throughout the process. Several questions addressed the inevitable realities of dealing with conflicts and the culture changes that may be required.

Addressing those issues requires maintaining a documented project plan with timelines and deliverables, as well as full support of senior management and all stakeholders.

The panelists were Colleen McCracken, chief financial officer at Thos. Moser Cabinetmakers; Carolyn St. Pierre, PMP, technical project manager at Wright Express; Mike Curran, PMP, project manager at Wright Express; and Rick Malinowski, North American supply manager at Procter & Gamble Tambrands. APICS Downeast President Scott Keslar was moderator.

(PROJECT MAINE is indebted to Judi Jones and Darryl T. Hubbard of APICS Downeast for this report.)

PMI Maine has launched a new project, to provide free project management assistance to nonprofit agencies. Carolyn St. Pierre, PMP, is leading the project.

The first potential project, now under discussion, is to help an agency conduct a feasibility study of its facility needs – whether to move to a new location, refurbish its present leased quarters or pursue some other option. Key factors will be potential growth and program needs.

After preliminary talks, the chapter will determine how, and to what extent, to assist the agency.

The project will be the subject of PMI Maine’s May 8 program, as well as reports at interim meetings.
 

PMI Maine Meetings 2001-2

Meetings are at Unum-Provident Headquarters
Building 1, 2211 Congress St. Portland,
unless otherwise specified.

Name in italic for each meeting is the PMI Maine member making arrangements.

Jan. 13 - Fairchild's ASP Project
Site:  Fairchild facility, Running Hill Rd., S. Portland
(John Westberg)

Feb. 13 – Team Cohesiveness
(Steve Stofanak)

March 13 – Project Risk with Bruce Chadbourne
(Bob Laliberte)

April 10 – Advanced Technology
Joint Meeting with IEEE
(Carl Gruenler)

May 8 – Nonprofit Projects
(Carolyn St. Pierre)

June – Project of the Year Competition
(Jim Milliken)
PDU Registration Project
(David Johnson)