Enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation is a complicated process that requires careful planning and strategy. Integrating front and back-end systems and processes into a shared platform can take anywhere from six months to two years to complete. Multiple factors—such as the size of your organization, how complicated your current setup is, the number of users, and the transfer of data from legacy systems—contribute to the duration and expense of the process.

Although changes and adaptations will be required along the way, putting together an ERP project plan prior to your deployment is an important part of preparing for a successful implementation. In this guide, you’ll learn how to understand the process in steps and get tips to make the process smoother and more successful.