Three Key Steps You Should Take Before Starting an ERP Project

Businesses that delay ERP decisions often face rushed timelines and systems that fail to meet their needs. This guide explains how to start strong and plan a successful ERP project from day one.

Businesses rarely delay an ERP project because they think it is unimportant. More often, they delay it because the timing never feels right. Other priorities take over. Budgets shift. Teams feel too stretched. So the decision moves into “next quarter” or “after year end”.

But delaying comes with risks that build quietly in the background.

As time goes on, your system continues to age. Issues grow. Processes become harder to manage. And when you finally do reach the point where change can no longer wait, the project often has to be rushed. That is where the real danger lies.

When an ERP project begins too late, businesses lose the chance to make a calm, well-informed decision. There is less time to understand requirements, compare options or explore the finer operational details that truly determine whether a system will fit. Vendor diaries fill up, meaning the people you want to speak with may not be available when you need them. Suddenly, the entire decision is compressed into a window that is too small for the scale of the change.

This is how businesses end up choosing systems that solve some problems but create new ones. Implementations feel reactive rather than controlled. Teams lose confidence. Plus, the long term cost becomes far greater than expected. Some organisations can even find themselves back at the start again a few years later, searching for an alternative because the solution they rushed into never truly met their needs. That fear of “getting it wrong again” can delay progress even further.

The good news is that the success of an ERP project is rarely down to luck. It comes from starting early, taking a structured approach and giving yourself time to plan properly.

Three Steps Every Business Should Take Before Starting an ERP Project

Businesses rarely delay an ERP project because they think it is unimportant. More often, the decision gets pushed aside because the timing never feels right. Other priorities take over. Budgets move. Teams are stretched. So the project waits until next quarter, and then the quarter after that.

But delaying brings risks that build quietly. As months pass, your system continues to age. Workarounds grow. Reporting slows. Teams become more reliant on spreadsheets. And when the moment finally arrives where you can no longer delay a decision, the project often has to be delivered at speed. That pressure is exactly what increases the chances of poor choices, missed details and long term consequences.

Before diving into the practical steps, it is worth acknowledging the reality most businesses face. ERP projects are significant, but they do not need to be overwhelming. The earlier you begin the conversation, the more control you have over your timeline, your planning and the outcome. Preparation is not about adding workload. It is about creating space to make thoughtful decisions that protect your business for years ahead.

1. Take the time to define what really matters

One of the most valuable things you can do early on is clarify what the business needs from a new system. Not a long list of every possible feature, but a clear understanding of the areas slowing you down today.

Look at the processes that cause frustration, delays or errors. Identify where teams rely on spreadsheets to get through day-to-day tasks. Think about the information you struggle to access quickly or accurately. These insights form the foundation of your requirements and help you avoid choosing a system based on assumptions.

Defining the essentials early also stops the project from becoming overwhelming. You do not need to tackle everything at once. A focused scope gives you a strong framework to build from and ensures you invest in the areas that will give you the greatest return.

2. Build a plan that supports long-term success

Once you understand your priorities, planning becomes far easier. And the earlier you begin, the more freedom you have to structure the project in a way that truly supports your business.

This is where options such as cloud deployment, flexible licensing or phased rollouts become powerful. Cloud removes the pressure of server replacements and unpredictable maintenance. Flexible licensing means you scale at your pace, not all at once. A phased approach gives teams time to adjust while ensuring critical areas are delivered accurately.

Planning early also means you can secure implementation slots that match quieter periods in your calendar. You protect the team’s workload, reduce disruption and set a realistic timeline for training, testing and data preparation.

A well-designed plan not only saves cost. It protects the quality of the implementation and ensures your project delivers long-term value.

3. Prepare your people for the change ahead

ERP projects succeed when people understand the benefits of the new system and feel confident using it. Starting early gives you space to bring teams along with you.

Engage departments at the right times. Share why the project is happening. Explain how their work will improve. When staff feel informed and involved, adoption becomes smoother and resistance drops.

Give people time to learn. Time to ask questions. Time to understand how their processes will evolve. This reduces the need for workarounds and builds trust in the system from day one. Strong adoption is one of the biggest indicators of long-term success.

The Difference Early Preparation Makes

Adding a little extra time at the beginning of your project can transform the entire experience. With a clearer plan, a calmer pace and a well-prepared team, your ERP journey feels less like a disruption and far more like an investment in the future of your business. Instead of reacting to problems, you are shaping a system that supports growth, improves visibility and removes unnecessary strain from your operation.

When businesses start early, they make better decisions, have more choice in vendors and avoid the costly traps that come from rushed planning. They also experience fewer surprises during implementation and achieve a system that genuinely fits their needs. Early preparation is not just a recommendation. It is one of the most important contributors to long-term ERP success.

Act before your options narrow

The biggest cost of delaying your ERP project is not just financial, it is the loss of choice and control. When you start early, you give yourself the space to think clearly, evaluate properly and design a project that genuinely supports the future of your business.

If you know your current system is holding you back, the most valuable step you can take is to begin the conversation now. That way, your decision becomes planned rather than pressured.

Book a call today to arrange your discovery meeting.
Your timeline, your clarity and your future project outcomes will benefit from starting now.