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230 Chapter 8 • Program and Project Management

MODULE EXPERTS AND SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS

Module Experts (Figure 8-3) are responsible for analyzing requirements and converting them
into solutions within the ERP. Module experts provide direction and application knowledge
with respect to business process design, configuration, testing, training, and implementation.
Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) provide coordination and facilitation of communications
between the project team and the organization. SMEs coordinate and prioritize functional
requirements. SMEs provide leadership and functional expertise in support of the implemen-
tation with specific knowledge in one or more business processes.
The skill of module experts and SMEs is the heart of any project. A team with SMEs that understand
the current environment and policies and share a willingness to make the change to a new system is
critical. The module experts that understand the ERP functionality will make the system do what it
is supposed to do. SMEs usually understand only a small component of the system in an ERP imple-
mentation. The SMEs will need training on the broad scope and goals of the implementation. A good
test to verify an SME’s understanding of the implementation is to ask questions related to the goals
periodically during the project. Do not expect implementation goals to be understood immediately.
This type of communication will need to be constant throughout the project. Even though most
module experts are project driven, SMEs are not. SMEs need to be trained on teamwork and the
project process or methodology. Throughout the project, SMEs may question why certain activities

Owners

Project
Executive

Project
Steering
Committee Management
Office

Cross Functional Information Change
Technology Management

Functional Team Functional Team Functional Team Training and Communication
Component 1 Component 2 Component 3 Documentation

Technical Development
Infrastructure and Interfaces Conversion Reporting
FIGURE 8-3 Sample Organization Teams.