NetSuite Implementation Roadmap: Tips & Steps for Development
Considering a NetSuite implementation? It’s essential to develop a NetSuite implementation roadmap to ensure a successful, efficient, and cost-effective outcome.
As an experienced NetSuite partner, we’ve outlined some essential tips and strategies for developing a NetSuite implementation roadmap and ensuring a maximization in value.
What is a NetSuite Implementation Roadmap?
A NetSuite implementation roadmap is a strategic plan that encompasses the steps a company needs to take to successfully implement, customize, and configure NetSuite, from the assessment phase all the way through post-deployment testing and user training.
What are some common NetSuite Implementation challenges?
- Failing to develop a project roadmap and attribute resources with the right expertise to guide the success of the implementation.
- Compiling and cleaning historical financial and transactional data.
- Redesigning, standardizing and documenting processes.
- Customizing NetSuite tools and applications to suit the organization’s business requirements and growth goals.
- Integrating NetSuite with current systems, tools, and applications.
- Ensuring end users are properly trained post-deployment.
Tips & Steps to Develop a NetSuite Implementation Roadmap
- Define objectives, goals, and KPIs.
- Determine the budget and resources that will be associated with the implementation process.
- Conduct an assessment of current systems and processes and document future design based on business requirements.
- Consider NetSuite customizations, configurations, and third-party app integrations.
- Develop a plan for end-to-end and user acceptance testing.
Implementing a comprehensive system like NetSuite can bring many challenges to organizations looking to grow – but when companies take the time to develop a solid implementation roadmap, foster alignment across teams, and get ahead of potential issues before they arise, these challenges become easier to navigate.
It can also be helpful to turn to a trusted NetSuite consultant for guidance.
1) Define NetSuite Implementation objectives, goals, and KPIs
Gain an understanding of the goals and objectives of the implementation and the KPIs that will need to be tracked to ensure efficient progress.
For example, in order to streamline the accounts payable processes or reduce manual efforts for customer invoicing, companies can leverage certain modules within NetSuite.
Top KPIs track may include things like days payable outstanding, day sales outstanding, number of manually processes eliminated, etc.
2) Determine budget and resources that will be associated with the NetSuite Implementation
Determine the budget, schedule, and resources that will be attributed to guide the success of the NetSuite implementation. Attempt to break the process down into impactful and effective yet manageable steps and make sure employees and stakeholders have a solid understanding of their role in the implementation.
3) Conduct an assessment of current systems and processes and document future design based on business requirements
Analyze the current state of systems, processes, and data to identify gaps between the current and desired state of the NetSuite implementation.
Collaborate across teams and departments to analyze current state or systems, process, and data. In addition, gather historical data and business requirements for the future state, being sure to identify and attempt to foresee any pain points, inefficiencies, or operational road bumps that may occur down the line.
These pain points may involve things like fragmented or inconsistent data, potential configuration complexities, or integration with third-party applications.
For example, if a company identifies that they are dealing with inconsistent data, it becomes essential to perform data cleansing and standardization, the implementation of a more robust data governance policy, and other data management best practices – and ensure these are outline within the NetSuite implementation roadmap.
4) Consider NetSuite customizations, configurations, and third-party app integrations
As NetSuite can be customized to suit a company’s unique needs and goals, it is vital to consider which NetSuite tools and applications will need to be implemented.
Planning for configurations, customizations, integrations, user roles and permissions, and all the required dependencies into the NetSuite implementation roadmap is essential for success.
5) Develop a plan for end-to-end and user acceptance testing
As part of the NetSuite implementation roadmap, it is vital to plan for testing and obtaining end-user signoff prior to go-live.
To create an effective roadmap, it is essential to factor in end-to-end business process and end-user testing to ensure the system is integrated correctly and all users can perform their required activities to get the most value out of the configuration.
Final Thoughts on NetSuite Implementation Roadmaps
When companies take the time to develop a NetSuite implementation roadmap, it becomes much easier to foresee potential configuration hurdles, address any change management or business process changes, identify and mitigate project risks and ensure a swift deployment – however, it can often be beneficial to turn to a trusted NetSuite implementation team who has the specialized expertise that is needed to develop a solid implementation roadmap and ensure a successful deployment.
If you need support to develop a NetSuite implementation roadmap, our Cloud Solutions team is here to help. We specialize in:
- NetSuite solution design, customization, integrations, and configuration.
- NetSuite assessments, implementations, and optimizations.
- Customer success, user training, and project and change management.
