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238 Chapter 8 • Program and Project Management

communicate them continually to the teams. The skills, knowledge, and abilities of a
This is the role of the program manager project manager and a program manager are
(executive) and project managers. It becomes perhaps the main factors of a successful
especially difficult when the system is finally implementation. An implementation is
in-house and used with data from the business. considered successful if it meets the
•The term “scope creep” is often used during identified business goals and is on time and
a project when changes are requested that on budget.
are not in the initially defined project scope. •Project manager and program manager
Some amount of change in scope needs to should work together closely during an im-
be planned for and must be addressed in plementation. The difference between the
asystemic fashion because change will two is that the program manager addresses
happen during a project implementation. the strategic points of a project, whereas a
•Project leadership is an important ingredient project manager is more tactically focused
to the success of an ERP implementation. on the issues of the project.

Exercises

1. Project scope is difficult to manage. Research two 2. Find job descriptions for program managers
businesses that have implemented an ERP system and project managers. Compare and contrast the
that have used change control, and describe the descriptions and how they may focus on different
process to determine the level of success they had project areas.
with that process.

Review Questions

1. What is the role of a project manager and a 4. What role can the company executives play in an
program manager? implementation?
2. What are the skills, knowledge, and abilities 5. What is “scope creep,” and why is it important to
required to be a project manager? manage during an ERP implementation?
3. Name five critical success factors and why they are
important to the success of a project.

Discussion Questions

1. ERP implementations usually bring together staff 2. The PMO is perhaps the single most important
from a variety of places, both internal and external group related to the success of an ERP implementa-
to the business. Discuss the value that training and tion. Describe the role and components of the PMO
teamwork will bring to the success of the project. and why it is critical to the success of the project.