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Chapter 4 • Development Life Cycle 113

developed by consulting firms can help to approach and leave the implementation
automate some of the more common tasks entirely in the hands of the IT staff. ERP
that occur during an implementation. These software is mission critical, has a major
include migration of data, identification of impact on the organization business
duplicate data, and other standard tasks. processes, and impacts a lot of people in
•Because of their prepackaged nature, ERP the organization. They also cost a lot of
applications generally do not require the money during the implementation period
rigorous traditional SDLC process. The while their returns are spread over a long
emphasis on the ERP life cycle is whether period of time.
to customize the software or to change the •The sense of team and teamwork is para-
organization’s processes to match those mount to the project. It is the role of the
embedded in the software. Change manage- project management office to address team-
ment strategy therefore plays a very impor- work initially and throughout the project.
tant role in the ERP life cycle. •It is important that each person on the project
•ERPs are becoming more and more ubiq- understands his or her role and responsibility.
uitous in the business landscape as they By doing this, it helps to create teamwork
become critical to the long-term position- and makes individuals and the project
ing and success of today’s businesses. organization accountable to the project and
Management should not take a hands-off the project’s success.

Exercises

1. Search the Internet for any new (2006 and beyond) a. Find out what ERP life cycle approach they
ERP implementation methodologies. Provide the used in their ERP project.
overview of the consulting firm, the details of the b. Find out what were the benefits and drawbacks
methodology, and case studies of the use of this of this approach.
methodology. Provide URLs, references, and an c. Would they recommend their ERP implemen-
e-copy of the articles used for this project. tation approach to others?
2. Locate a company that you know (or work at) and Write a one-page summary and include diagrams/
contact the ERP team project manager and some figures of the methodology in the appendix.
members.

Review Questions

1. What is the role of the systems approach in the 6. List the major tasks in the scope and commitment
SDLC? phase of the ERP life cycle.
2. Briefly discuss the key phases of the SDLC 7. List the major tasks in the analysis and design
methodology. phase of the ERP life cycle.
3. Discuss the alternate approaches of SDLC and the 8. List the major tasks in the acquisition and develop-
benefits of these alternatives. ment phase of the ERP life cycle.
4. Compare and contrast the three major ERP imple- 9. What is the role of change management in the
mentation categories. ERP life cycle?
5. What is ERP implementation methodology? Give 10. List the major differences between the ERP life
examples. cycle and SDLC.