220 | Data Dynamics: Managing ERP Costs and Change Orders for Success

Welcome to another episode of "The Art of Consulting Podcast" with your hosts, Andy Fry and Cat Lam. As seasoned IT consultants, CPAs, and professional development connoisseurs, we aim to bring you inspiring messages to help you discover the X factor in your professional field, leading to the success you truly deserve in your career and life. In this third and final episode, Cat and Stephanie continue their insightful conversation about supply chain management, focusing on the critical aspect of data. Key Points from Previous Episodes:   Cat and Stephanie covered important considerations for supply chain implementation in the first two episodes. They explored perspectives from board members, C-suite executives, project teams, and individuals within the organization in the second episode.   Focus on Data: Stephanie introduces the topic of data, emphasizing the importance of understanding and managing data effectively in the context of supply chain implementation. Quality, Cost, and Schedule. She highlights the need to prioritize data quality for successful outcomes.   Source, Format, Language, and Content: Breaks down the elements of data quality, including source, format, language, and content. Illustrates challenges with examples like phone numbers having different formats across systems.   Sensitivity and Regulatory Compliance: Emphasizes the significance of sensitivity in data, especially when dealing with personally identifiable information and regulated data. Both Cat and Stephanie advise on the importance of complying with privacy regulations to avoid reputation damage. Involving   Legal and Consultants:  Recommends involving data teams and consultants early on, rather than starting with legal teams. Stresses the need for mapping out audit criteria, sensitivity components, and regulatory requirements.   Protecting Sensitive Data: Discusses the practical aspects of protecting sensitive data during migration, testing, and implementation. Stephanie highlights the importance of carving out specific teams or instances to handle sensitive information securely. Privacy Training and Data Sensitivity: Suggests conducting privacy training for project teams to create awareness about data sensitivity. Addresses the gap in understanding within project teams regarding the sensitivity of certain data. For the third and Final Episode Introduction: In this episode of "The Art of Consulting," our host Cat Lam and special guest for this episode Stephanie Forbes dive into the intricacies of data cleanup during ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) implementations. They stress the critical importance of understanding the end vision and ensuring a realistic alignment between existing data and desired outcomes.   Key Points:   Start with a Clear Vision Emphasize the need for a clear vision before starting the implementation process. Stephanie outlined specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and desired dashboards for a well-defined endpoint.   Iterative Process Stress the iterative nature of the data cleanup process. Cat and Stephanie discuss how project teams evaluate capabilities, costs, and schedules during the implementation journey.   Agile Methodology Consideration Debunk the applicability of Agile methodology in large projects like ERP implementations. They highlight the challenges of interconnected processes and the need for a systematic approach.   Stage-Gate Approach Advocate for a stage-gate approach in ERP implementations. Discourage bridging work and emphasize completing each stage thoroughly before progressing.   Data Cleanup Challenges Examine how data cleanup challenges contribute to change orders in contracts. Cat and Stephanie stress the importance of anticipating unknown work and its impact on costs and timelines.   In-House vs. External Cleanup Discuss the "it depends" scenario regarding whether data cleanup should be handled in-house or externally. The host and guest weigh the considerations for simple formatting tasks versus complex data challenges. Business Buy-In and Expertise Highlight the necessity of business buy-in during data cleanup. Illustrate the importance of domain expertise, especially when dealing with industry-specific data.   Duration of Data Cleanup Acknowledge the variability in the duration of data cleanup. Discuss factors influencing the timeframe, such as the scale of data, complexity, and organizational priorities.   Duration of ERP Implementation: Discussion about the realistic timeframe for ERP implementation. And what are the considerations for different organization sizes and complexities. The duo gave emphasis on the importance of understanding the unique challenges of each organization.   Complexity in ERP Implementations: Detailed analysis based on organization size and system complexity. Challenges faced by organizations with multiple mergers and acquisitions. The impact of disparate data sets and different coding languages on the implementation process.   Data Standards and Compliance: Importance of setting data standards in ERP implementation. The role of the CIO and data teams in determining compliance requirements. Addressing jurisdictional updates and regulatory requirements for global organizations. Corporate Vision and Future Planning: Linking corporate vision with ERP data standards. Considering future expansions, regulatory changes, and market entry in the ERP design. Anticipating scalability and ensuring the ERP system can adapt to future organizational needs. Timeline for Data Standards and Vision: The role of data standards in the Request for Proposal (RFP) process. Incorporating data standards in the development of the ERP document. Considering a realistic time horizon for corporate vision and future expansion plans.   Scalability and Design Implications: Emphasizing the importance of designing ERP systems for scalability. Discussing potential future needs, geographic expansion, and industry-specific requirements. The ease of considering design implications upfront compared to post-implementation adjustments.   Webinar Announcement: Stephanie's upcoming webinars on the greenhouse gas scope three protocol and risk management in the supply chain.  Conclusion: Navigating data cleanup in ERP implementations is a multifaceted process that demands careful planning, iterative strategies, and a commitment to thoroughness. Cat and Stephanie underscores the pivotal role of data accuracy in the success of ERP projects and encourages organizations to approach data cleanup with a strategic mindset.