NetSuite Implementation Guide: 10 Steps for Success

1 Assemble a Great NetSuite Implementation Team 

ERP projects are serious undertakings that require team members from your company who are leaders and subject matter experts in their disciplines; those who understand both the technical aspects and the business processes of your organization.

As a supplement to allocating individual responsibilities, your company will also want to pick a dedicated project team to assist your NetSuite partner for the duration of this process. This internal team will take the lead on project management, including developing definitive timelines and milestones, and will be the go-to group for answers to any lingering questions.

Consider building a diverse, cross-functional team who are ready to include different perspectives, paving the way for a more robust and comprehensive implementation.

2 Choose A Project Manager for Your NetSuite ERP Implementation

It may seem obvious, but a dedicated project manager is imperative for guiding the implementation process sensibly. Choose someone with strong leadership skills and

experience in managing similar projects, as they will be responsible for keeping the project on track, managing resources, and ensuring timely communication among team members.

The project manager must also have the authority to mobilize the necessary resources to keep the project rolling. Another important aspect of this role is to focus on function over form, meaning they need to prioritize solving workflows and problems over specific features or procedures. This mentality, when held by the project manager, will help everyone solve existing problems without creating new ones.

3  Create & Empower A Steering Committee for your NetSuite Deployment

Steering committees oversee the delivery process and establish project governance policies and procedures to help teams make sure that the project stays on track and delivers the desired outcomes.

In this case, you’d want to form a steering committee comprising key stakeholders who have a vested interest in the success of the NetSuite implementation. Representing various departments and upper management, they should feel empowered enough to make critical decisions and resolve conflicts, all while providing strategic direction every step of the way.

Keep in mind that steering is not managing. Managing gets the job done, but steering determines what the job is. Every NetSuite project must be led by a purpose and a vision. To deliver the required results, that purpose and vision must be clearly defined, it must be monitored, and it must be maintained. And that’s where the steering committee comes into play.

4 Write A Good Communications Plan

While communication may seem to be a fairly light lift in the mix of all other project components, it is one of the most challenging.

Team members work remotely, from multiple locations, or on different schedules. How do you trust your team to get tasks done on time without micromanaging or constantly requesting updates? That’s where a project communication plan comes in.

A project communication plan allows you to set expectations and standards so that no matter where your team is or what schedule they’re on, they’re all on the same page. A project communication plan should include any or all of the following:

· A specific list of what items need to be communicated, such as tasks, meetings, feedback, or scheduling

· Contacts of all team members and stakeholders involved, including what each person is responsible for

· A schedule of events you have in advance like deadlines, meetings, goal dates, or check-ins

· Definition of communication frequency, primary channels, or dates.

5 Keep It Simple!

Stakeholders of NetSuite Implementation projects often make things more complicated than they need to be, which often becomes the cause of project failures. The team members involved with the implementation must be able to fully visualize the project's objectives and complete actual work.

Don’t make your processes more complicated than they must be. You’ll just end up creating more work for yourself and the team. Even worse, the implementation might produce worse results if you add too much complexity along the way.

When you keep a process simple, it means spending less time on planning, thinking, and meeting. Not that those tasks are not vital, but if the required deliverable is really that large and onerous, break the project into smaller deliverables that can be managed independently or produced in a phased approach. Keeping the scope simple will lead to a simple, more easily implemented project plan, as well as smaller, manageable (and happy) teams who will actually deliver on time and within budget.

6 Celebrate the Milestones of your NetSuite Project

NetSuite implementation projects are typically thought to be discrete events with an established start and finish, so the natural tendency is to focus only on kickoffs and completions and going live.

However, there are always points for celebration that fall in between breaking ground and cutting the ribbon, not just in terms of the larger project but also for individual success. The project manager should be prepared to capitalize on these opportunities to create both culture and camaraderie in your team.

Perhaps it’s completing a major module or reaching a testing phase - there are always going to be key milestones on your NetSuite implementation journey and these present opportunities for celebration. After all, when you support and champion your team members selflessly, celebrate wins, and recognize success routinely, you’ll likely find that your work to deliver a project to scope, within budget, and on time becomes just a bit easier.

7 Choose & Train An Administrator

Select an administrator who will be responsible for managing and maintaining the NetSuite system post-implementation.

The NetSuite administrator is the heart and soul of any great NetSuite team. Their day-to-day duties involve configuring and maintaining the software so a company can maximize its workflow and achieve its business goals.

It’s a role that requires excellent versatility, combining all the traits of a savvy business leader with a tech specialist. You need someone familiar with using NetSuite’s native tools to create, integrate, and maintain high-performing dashboards that can be tailored to their needs. They can ensure the backend functions correctly, are able to translate a user-friendly, customizable, and accessible dashboard, provide ongoing technical support for all members of the team, and finally, have a firm grasp of the trends affecting the industry.

You need a person who thrives under pressure because handling NetSuite software is no walk in the park. Setting expectations during the applicant's interview and training is an easy way to gauge their bandwidth. You don't want to expect too much from someone who can't deliver.

8 Don’t Overlook User Training & Adoption

While training is an underrated step in the grand scheme of NetSuite implementation, it’s certainly not one to be skipped. The truth is, if end users are not properly trained in the logistics of your new NetSuite system, they can’t exactly be expected to use the application on their own.

For that reason, your entire company should really be trained in the NetSuite platform, so they can hit the ground running whenever things are ready to go.

Hands-on training sessions, user manuals, and ongoing support are just some of the tools and practices you can implement to help users become comfortable and proficient with the new system. High user adoption rates have been proven to be essential for realizing the full benefits of your NetSuite investment.

9 Optimize Your ERP

Many first-time NetSuite users believe that their system does not require significant modifications after delivery. However, in most cases, there are additional optimizations and customizations that can benefit ongoing business operations.

A great aspect of NetSuite is its 100% scalability and adaptability to new business ventures. This software can grow with your needs, whether that involves handling increased sales volume or expanding internationally. By regularly reviewing and refining processes, workflows, and configurations using NetSuite’s advanced features and updates, you can improve efficiency and productivity. An optimized ERP system adjusts to changes in your business environment, delivering long-term value and supporting growth.

10 Selecting a NetSuite Implementation Partner

It’s been said that a NetSuite implementation is only as good as the team that implements it.

NetSuite consultants dedicated to implementing NetSuite bring a unique level of experience and expertise, as they have been through over 200+ implementations. That kind of experience is a valuable resource when undergoing a large and complex project, such as a NetSuite implementation. You want to make sure they have seen their share of failure and success and can leverage that experience to keep your implementation on track.

No two implementation partners are the same; some will be better suited to your company’s needs than others. Many partners specialize in specific industries and verticals, so you may be able to find one that has worked extensively with businesses like yours in the past.

CONSIDER GSI AS YOUR NETSUITE IMPLEMENTATION PARTNER