Towards a Decision-Making Framework for Successful ERP Project Implementation: A Qualitative Study

Digital transformation has become a strategic imperative for businesses across industries in today's rapidly evolving technological landscape. At the heart of this transformation lies Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), a comprehensive software solution that integrates various aspects of a business to streamline operations, optimize resources, and enhance decision-making. The purpose of this study is to present the different fixed costs in ERP projects, develop a framework that includes the different dynamic cost elements and critical decisions during the whole ERP project lifecycle, and examine tangible benefits through various case studies from the literature. By thoroughly understanding the costs and key considerations for adoption, organizations can make informed decisions that lead to successful ERP implementations. This work was carried out through an analysis of literature reviews. The qualitative approach was chosen using focus group discussions followed by the Delphi method to conduct semi-structured interviews among eight industry experts to verify and validate the results. Based on this framework, the decision-makers can have a global picture of the different ERP project lifecycle phases, activities, and critical decisions that must be taken by the company and their options, as well as their related costs and key criteria to consider. The findings of this study will aid organizations that implement ERP systems in gaining a better understanding of the costs and key considerations and in helping managers think about the various feasible and optimal ERP implementation options.