Quick answer: A typical ERP project moves through governance, analysis, setup, configuration, development, data migration, testing, training, go-live and optimization. Skipping or rushing one phase usually causes problems in the next.
1. Governance and kickoff
Agree on scope, timeline, roles and who approves decisions. A clear project owner on the business side matters as much as the technical lead.
2. Business process analysis
Compare how you work today with what the ERP does as standard. This fit-gap analysis shows what to configure, what to customize and what to change in your own process.
3. Environment setup and configuration
Prepare the system, then configure the core settings: companies, users, products, accounting and workflows.
4. Customization, integration and migration
Build only the gaps that truly need it. Connect other systems and move clean, validated data from the old tools.
5. Testing
Test real scenarios from start to finish with the people who will use the system, and record issues before launch.
6. Training and change management
Teach each team the tasks they will do daily and make sure they know where to get help.
7. Go-live and optimization
Plan the cutover, keep support close in the first weeks, then review what to improve once real usage begins.
FAQ
Do the phases overlap?
Often yes, but each should have clear exit criteria so problems are not carried forward.