If you’ve ever asked “How do I start an ERP project” then don’t fear. Starting an ERP project doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a bit of planning and the right mindset, you can get things moving quickly and smoothly. I’ve put together a simple guide to help you get started.
If this is all TL;DR then get in Contact with us for a more detailed chat, or take a look at our Quick Start page to get a feel for the modules we offer.
What Does Your Business Really Need?
Before looking at all the different software options, take a moment to think about why you need an ERP system in the first place. Is it to improve your processes, fix messy data, or connect your departments better?
Ask Yourself:
- What’s currently slowing us down?
- Where do we see room for improvement?
- What should the ERP system help us achieve?
When you know what you’re trying to achieve, it’s easier to focus on what matters.
How Do I Start an ERP Project? By Getting the Right People on Board
ERP projects work best when you have the right team working on them. Often people think ERP is an IT thing, it’s not. Whilst IT need to be involved it normally should be driven more by the finance or operations teams.
Key Roles:
- Project Sponsor: Someone senior who can make decisions, clear obstacles and communicate the benefits of the project to the whole business.
- Project Manager: Keeps things on schedule, manages tasks and resources required for the project.
- Key Users: People who know what their departments need and will use the system daily. These don’t need to be managers but people that are aware of how the department works, are willing to learn new things and most importantly assist other people with adopting the system.
A strong team keeps things run smoothly, helps prevent delays and will give better end result.

Choose an ERP Solution That Fits
There’s no shortage of ERP options, so take your time to find one that fits your company’s needs. Ask yourself questions like “Do I want a cloud-based solution?” (why wouldn’t you in this day and age?) or “What other systems do I need to integrate with?”.
Tips:
- Don’t just look at features – think about long-term scalability and investment in the solution by the provider.
- Request demos and try out the system.
- Compare prices and see what you’re getting for your money.
For instance, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is a hugely scalable solution hosted in the cloud. Constant investment from Microsoft means twice annual releases of new functionality as well as monthly minor updates. You can trial the system for free and the prices are open and transparent.

Organise Your Data
Data migration can be one of the trickiest parts of an ERP project. Clean data is crucial, so ensure you review and tidy up your data to avoid bringing over outdated, duplicate or irrelevant information.
How to Prepare:
- Do a data cleanup before you start.
- Decide which data is necessary for the new system.
- Test the data migration process to ensure it works.
Good data preparation can save you time and headaches later. A good implementation partner will be able to advise an approach to review and cleanse your data.
How Do I Start an ERP Project? By Setting a Realistic Timeline
Setting unrealistic deadlines is a recipe for stress. Break your ERP project into phases and allow some wiggle room for any surprises.
Stay on Track:
- Set milestones and review progress regularly.
- Include extra time for testing and feedback.
- Don’t rush through critical phases like training.
Sometimes companies need to go “Big Bang” and put everything live at once, in which case appropriate timescales are essential. At other times an iterative approach might be suitable where you start out with a minimum viable product and gradually expand your footprint in the solution over time.
Train Your People
No matter how good the system is, it’s only as useful as the people using it. Proper training ensures that your team can get the most out of the ERP.
Training Tips:
- Tailor training sessions to different roles.
- Provide hands-on experience.
- Offer ongoing support after the system goes live.
If the team don’t feel confident using the system then they will be less likely to accept it. Your Key Users can really help here as they can assist others and boost their confidence in themselves and the system.

Test, Go Live, and Improve
Testing is non-negotiable. Before you go live, make sure the system is doing what you expect.
Go Live Checklist:
- Test different scenarios (especially the critical ones).
- Get feedback from users.
- Fix any bugs or issues.
After going live, ensure that you’ve validated the information you’ve taken in, does the trial balance match? What about accounts, payable and receivable, and the bank accounts?
Your implementation partner will work with you ensure that you’re happy with the data taken into the system. But remember, the ultimate responsibility for the accuracy of the data that is taken in is yours so ensure you the attention it deserves.
How do I start an ERP Project – Final Thoughts: Start Right, Succeed Long-Term
So if you were wondering “How do I start an ERP project” remember that starting it doesn’t have to be stressful. With a clear plan, the right team, and proper training, you’ll be on the path to success.
Not sure where to begin? Contact Quick Dynamics. We specialise in Quick Start ERP projects designed to help you get results without the delays and hassle. Let’s get your business running smarter, faster!