The Phases of ERP Software Implementation and Maintenance: A Model for Predicting Preferred ERP Use

TLDR

The systems development life cycle (SDLC) typically includes planning, analysis, design, implementation, and maintenance, yet its application to commercial off‑the‑shelf ERP installations remains underexplored. This study investigates the importance of specific phases within the ERP implementation life cycle. The authors surveyed SAP ERP implementations in two divisions of a large manufacturing firm and used confirmatory factor analysis to model the process. The analysis confirmed four distinct ERP implementation phases.

Abstract

Nearly all information technology educators and practitioners are familiar with the concept of a systems development life cycle (SDLC). The SDLC model is mainly based on new software development. The stages vary based on methodology, but mostly include planning and requirements definition, analysis, design of the new system, implementation, and post-implementation support such as maintenance and security. Less explored and known are the stages involved in commercial off the shelf installation. The actual implementation of commercial off the shelf software ERP (enterprise resource planning) systems is an area that is suggested to have a life cycle of its own. The importance of specific phases of this ERP implementation life cycle is the subject of this study. By surveying SAP enterprise resource planning implementations at two divisions of a major manufacturing company, a confirmatory factor analysis confirms the existence of four distinct phases of ERP implementation — preparation and training, transition...