In today’s rapidly evolving business environment, change is inevitable, in the core business as well in support functions and processes. Whether you are planning to change the organization, administrative processes or your ERP-system, it is crucial to have a well-defined strategy in place to ensure smooth project execution. Based on our experience working with projects, companies vary significantly in their level of preparation for change, especially when it comes to changes at the finance function. Therefore, we have identified four key points that we believe are essential to increase your chance of success.

1. Pre-study: The Foundation of Success

A comprehensive pre-study is essential for understanding the company’s entire processes and workflows. It is easy to rush into action without a clear overview. By mapping out workflows, we can identify all parts of the company and the processes that will be affected by the change and establish a solid foundation for the upcoming project.

2. Competence Assessment: Inventory Your Expertise

Before starting a project, conducting a competence assessment is vital. By evaluating internal knowledge, we can determine which skills are already present within the organization and which ones need to be supplemented. For example, when implementing a new ERP system, many organizations can largely rely on internal resources, with companies like Insource assisting by providing a Process Leader experienced in implementation and knowledgeable about processes and workflows in the client’s business and system.

3. Ensure Daily Workflow Continuity: Backfill and Resource Support

During a project, it is important to ensure that daily operations are not negatively impacted. When skilled employees are partially allocated to a project, their regular tasks may be left unattended due to increased workload. A common solution is to bring in interim consultants to handle these tasks during the project period. This allows key employees to focus on the project without disrupting business operations. As our Partner and Head of Finance IT, Daniel Sunesson, emphasizes:

“Ensuring continuity in daily operations is crucial – bringing in the right interim resources allows your team to focus on the strategic work, while keeping the business running smoothly.”

It is worth noting that the interim consultant does not necessarily need to possess the exact same high-level expertise as the employee involved in the project, as the employee’s knowledge remains within the company. In many cases, it is often sufficient to utilize a more general competence.

4. Change Management: The Key to Sustainable Change

Change management is a critical component of any project. It is essential that management is involved from the outset and that the organization is included in the change process. Training and change leadership are crucial for a successful implementation. Many companies underestimate this aspect, which can lead to significant costs in the long run.

Insource – Your Partner in Change

Regardless of the project model you choose, or type of change you stand before, these elements are crucial to ensuring success. We are here to support you throughout the process, helping you maximize the benefits of your change. Don’t hesitate to contact us for more information on how we can assist your business.