Collaborative Planning of ERP Implementation: A Design Science Approach

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is the process of optimizing the performance of enterprise business processes through the utilization of integrated IT-based solutions. Such systems are mostly based on best practices gained through years of software analysis, design and deployment in the competitive markets. Planning for enterprise-wide system implementation requires all of the stakeholders to integrate views on considering strategic approaches toward a unified vision on how to develop and improve the collaborative ERP implementation planning process. This paper develops a framework which critically evaluates the final implementation plan based on considerations taken in design science methodology. Using the guidelines provided in this methodology, managers gain the capability of evaluating the overall artifact of planning in the total value system, and also gain the ability to measure the progress of ERP implementation plan based on the provided indicators.