Many Energy companies that are running Oracle ERP, SCM, and EPM solutions are working on their roadmap and deciding whether to cross the chasm and move to the Cloud or upgrade their on-premise applications.
Change Management is an important part of such a decision and is a critical part of the roadmap to be considered in both options.
Nevertheless, success will be defined in two factors;
- A flawless technology solution that fits the project’s requirements
- The ability of users to actively and intuitively use and adopt the new solution
Are the users WRA? Willing, ready, and able? in my two decades of working with Energy companies I have seen technology projects wildly succeed and some others that frustrated folks beyond belief and most people run around the corner when “ERP upgrade” was even whispered.
Oracle’s ERP platform, EBS, as an example does not require large scale change management when its’ users move to ERP Cloud. There are some BPD, business process design considerations that need to be made, but that should be best practice in any ERP upgrade. Contrary to what many believe, Oracle ERP, SCM, and EPM applications in the Cloud facilitate engagement and are key to user adoption. The UI and intuitive functions in EPM are another game changer.
We have found that success for an upgrade has a lot to do with managing disruption. A formal change management doctrine and practice should be a part of a roadmap for an upgrade decision.
Communication Strategy & Plans are paramount to such decisions and roadmaps!
