(1) Define Business Requirements and ERP System Success
(2) Request for Information (RFI) from ERP Vendors
(3) Request for Proposal (RFP)
(4) ERP Demonstrations
(5) Due Diligence
Request for Proposal (RFP)
Review Request for Information (RFI) responses to determine how the ERP systems match up against key business requirements.
Eliminate ERP systems that do not meet your unique business requirements. Ignore size and reputation of ERP vendors (due diligence is down the road). Focus on specific ERP modules and functions that best match business requirements and processes.
After reviewing RFI responses make a short list of ERP systems best matched with business requirements.
Review your detailed list of business processes and how they relate to business objectives. Reevaluate business processes against business objectives and strategies. Retaining a business process professional at this stage would be prudent if you determine business process redesign is warranted.
Most organizations need business process redesign from time to time. Modern ERP systems work best with updated business process design. Flawed or inefficient business processes will not be saved or improved by a modern ERP system. ERP functionality is subordinate to business processes.
Determine how specific ERP modules and functions match specific business processes to achieve business objectives and provide information and business intelligence to help make decisions and execute business strategies.
Remember the goal is to select and implement the right ERP system for your unique business requirements to support execution of business strategies that will make the organization successful and get the best return on investment (ROI).
The detailed list of unique business processes and requirements forms the core of a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) document to be distributed to selected ERP vendors for their review and written response.
The vendors’ RFP responses become the basis for evaluating and selecting ERP vendors to perform onsite scripted ERP demonstrations.