Most ERP failures don’t happen during implementation—they’re even built into the project before it even begins. If your data is messy, your processes are unclear, or your teams are not aligned, your ERP project might not deliver the results you expect. The good news? You can avoid most of these issues by preparing a few things in advance.
As a CFO, you can increase your ERP project’s chances of success by tackling three key steps before the official kickoff. Here’s where to start:
- Clean your data
No ERP in the world can fix bad data. If your supplier records are full of duplicates, or your customer files haven’t been updated in years, your new system will inherit all of these issues “Garbage In, Garbage Out”
Start with a data health check:
– How many duplicates or inactive records do you have?
– Are key fields (tax ID, payment terms, contact info) consistently populated?
– Who owns which datasets across your organization?
Once you identify the gaps, assign clear data ownership and responsibilities. This is not a one-time cleanup—it’s the beginning of a governance structure that will support your ERP for years (see our previous article about Master Data).
⏩ My Tip: Appoint a “Data Sheriff” in each department. This person will clean, own, and maintain their domain data—not just for the ERP go-live, but for ongoing operations.
- Map your core Finance Processes
An ERP system can only support what you’ve defined. If your invoice approvals still rely on Excel and email chains, don’t expect automation to magically solve your problems. Before you digitize, understand and optimize.
Focus on your high-impact processes:
– Procure-to-pay
– Order-to-cash
– Record-to-report
It can help to work with a consultant and take the time to walk through your current processes together. Even a basic process map can reveal small issues or habits that are easy to improve (and often without needing new software!).
⏩ My Tip: Don’t aim for perfection. Just pick two or three critical processes and identify easy wins. Your ERP partner will thank you for the head start.
- Align Stakeholders around real needs
Here’s the truth: most ERP project delays don’t come from the tech. They come from endless debates on priorities, features, and “special cases.” You can avoid that by preparing early.
Set up a cross-functional workshop—I call it the “Features Table.” Invite representatives from finance, operations, IT, and key departments. Ask two things:
- What are your must-have vs. nice-to-have features?
2. What are your unique or critical process requirements?
Then structure the output and rank priorities. This helps avoid political battles and ensures the ERP scope reflects real business needs.
⏩ My Tip: Document both what you want *and* what you’re willing to give up. Your ERP system won’t do everything, so clarity up front will save time and frustration later.
Conclusion: Prepare now, to win later
ERP is more than a software upgrade—it’s an opportunity to clean up your foundation, rethink how you operate, and build better ways of working. But if you want to do it seriously, start early, long before the integrator arrives.
At Penon Partners, we support CFOs from Day Zero. Whether it’s data readiness, process optimization, or stakeholder alignment, we make sure your ERP journey starts on solid ground. Need help assessing your ERP readiness? Let’s start with a quick call!