Abstract:
Over the past decade, Enterprise Resource Planning
systems (ERP) have become one of the most important
developments in the corporate use of information
technology. ERP implementations are usually large,
complex projects, involving large groups of people and
other resources, working together under considerable
time pressure and facing many unforeseen
developments. In order for an organization to compete
in this rapidly expanding and integrated marketplace,
ERP systems must be employed to ensure access to an
efficient, effective, and highly reliable information
infrastructure. Despite the benefits that can be achieved
from a successful ERP system implementation, there is
evidence of high failure in ERP implementation projects.
Too frequently key development practices are ignored
and early warn ing signs that lead to project failure are
not understood. Identifying project success and failure
factors and their consequences as early as possible can
provide valuable clues to help project managers improve
their chances of success. It is the long-range goal of our
research to shed light on these factors and to provide a
tool that project managers can use to help better manage
their software development projects. This paper will
present a review of the general background to our work;
the results from the current research and conclude with a
discussion of the findings thus far. The findings will
include a list of 23 unique Critical Success Factors
identified throughout the literature, which we believe to
be essential for Project Managers. The implications of
these results will be discussed along with the lessons
learnt.
