ERP Training and Evaluation: ERP Life-Cycle Approach to End-Users’ Characterization and Competency Building in the Context of an Oil & Gas Company

Abstract

This paper highlights the criticality of the ‘End-Users’ factor to the success or failure of the ERP venture. This descriptive case highlights the ineffectiveness of the current approaches to ERP end-users’ “training and competency building”, that are commonly applied in ERP implementations. We propose as an alternative, a new structured approach that redefines the traditional role of “ERP Training” from isolated implementation project activities concerned with introducing end-users to “how to” use ERP applications to an integral part of a comprehensive “knowledge & change management” strategy that advocates a holistic life-cycle approach to managing ERP Critical Success Factors (CSF).