ERP Is Not a Silver Bullet: Why a Human-Centric, Data-Savvy Approach Is Critical for Success
- Marion Burchell
- Aug 8
- 6 min read
Author: Marion Burchell, Azolla Holdings Pty Ltd
Across boardrooms and back offices, one common thread runs through many organisations today: the ERP conversation.
Whether it's early-stage planning, navigating a messy middle of implementation, or finally arriving on the other side - albeit battle-worn - enterprise resource planning (ERP) is often seen as the grand solution. A panacea. A silver bullet.
But let’s be clear: ERP is important - but it is not the answer to everything.
The ERP Reality Check
For many organisations, the ERP journey starts with good intentions. Create efficiencies. Optimise resources. Improve visibility. Streamline complexity. These goals are not just reasonable, they're necessary in a competitive, rapidly digitising world.
But here’s the catch: after years of procurement, configuration, integration, and transformation - often taking longer and costing more than expected - many organisations emerge with a sobering realisation.
The ERP is in, but the benefits are not fully realised. Integration gaps linger. Data quality is patchy. Some manual processes remain. And the workforce? Often still working around the system rather than through it.
In short, the transformation feels incomplete. Key statistics include:
between 55% and 75% of ERP projects fail to meet their goals
a large percentage of ERP projects exceed initial budgets (one source quoting 65%)
30% or more take longer than initially anticipated
More than 70% don’t fully achieve their original business goals
65% require cost modifications to improve usability
Gaps That Become Liabilities
A common scenario: An asset-intensive organisation still uses clipboards and paper to track logistics, relying on workers to update spreadsheets or digital records back at the office.
There’s no real-time visibility, no single source of truth, and a frustrating duplication of effort.
The outcome? Slower response times, higher error rates, and a drop in productivity.
These seemingly small inefficiencies become large liabilities - especially in a labour-constrained market where skilled workers are in short supply, and time is an increasingly precious commodity.
That’s why organisations should turn to agile, field-ready platforms that complement ERP systems by digitising the last mile - capturing real-time data directly at the point of work, especially in mobile or temporary operations. These systems reduce duplication, increase compliance, and unlock visibility where traditional ERPs fall short.
As our workforce ages and population dynamics shift, productive hours can't be wasted on workarounds. Instead, that time should be reinvested in high-value tasks, innovation, and better service delivery.
Digital Natives Don’t Want Analog Workplaces
Today’s emerging workforce, digital natives, expect more. They grew up with intuitive tech. Seamless integrations. Real-time everything. They’re not interested in rekeying data, printing off forms, or navigating clunky legacy systems. They want to work for organisations that are just as digitally fluent as they are.
Failing to meet that expectation is more than a cultural mismatch, it’s a talent risk.
Modern tools that mirror consumer-grade user experiences - offering offline capability, intuitive interfaces, and fast onboarding - are no longer a nice-to-have. They’re essential to drive adoption, especially among workers who won’t tolerate outdated or clunky systems.
AI + ERP: The Productivity Mirage?
In the AI age, there’s a growing belief that machine learning and generative tech will supercharge ERP deployments, reducing implementation times and unlocking instant productivity. While AI can absolutely enhance ERP systems, there’s a caveat: it only works if the data is good.
AI thrives on clean, structured, relevant data. Solutions that capture structured, contextualised data at the source - through smart forms, mobile devices, and embedded workflows - significantly reduce the noise and increase the signal. These tools elevate the quality of operational data, making AI not only possible, but powerful.
If your ERP is fed poor-quality data, all the AI in the world won’t fix it.
Instead of automation and insight, you’ll get noise and frustration. That’s why investing in data governance, digital readiness, and clear processes before implementation is non-negotiable.
Change Management: More Than Training and Town Halls
Too often, change management is treated like a final checklist item - some comms, some training, a few champions. But successful ERP implementation hinges on human-centred design from day one.
This means understanding your culture, aligning to how people actually work, using behavioural insights, and embedding meaningful conversations throughout. Don’t assume people know why change is happening or what’s in it for them.
Instead, show them - tangibly, clearly, empathetically - what the new system means in their day-to-day lives. What will be better? What will be easier? How does this connect to their goals, their team’s performance, and the organisation’s future?
When you centre people in the process, they don’t resist the change, they drive it.
The Pragmatic Path Forward
No ERP system, no matter how advanced or expensive, will be a silver bullet. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s relevance. Fitness for purpose. Alignment with the organisation’s broader digital and human strategy.
That means doing the pre-work - cleaning up processes, lifting data maturity, and investing in workforce capability - before pressing “go” on a major system. It also means recognising where complementary solutions may be needed to fill in the inevitable gaps and help bring the organisation’s objectives to life. These might include lightweight, configurable platforms that close ERP gaps - offering asset-level visibility, mobile-first functionality, and compliance tracking tailored to field conditions. When chosen well, such tools scale quickly and deliver value without heavy implementation overhead.
Because in the end, successful operations aren’t powered by systems alone, they’re powered by people using the right systems well.
References:
Gartner, 2024, Enterprise Resource Planning to Optimise Operations, accessed at: https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology/topics/enterprise-resource-planning
Hann, K and Main, K, 2024, Forbes, ERP Implementation: The 9-Step Guide, accessed at: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/erp-implementation
Lawton, G, 2025, 12 notable ERP implementation failures and why they failed, Tech Target, access at: https://www.techtarget.com/searcherp/feature/7-reasons-for-ERP-implementation-failure
Power, R, 2024, Why ERP implementations fail (and how you can get it right), Forbes, accessed at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/rhettpower/2024/12/15/why-erp-implementations-fail-and-how-you-can-get-it-right
SAP 2025, ERP Implementation best practices, accessed at:
Sidebar: Getting ERP-Ready – Tips for a Smoother Journey
Thinking about implementing an ERP? Already knee-deep in the process? These key tips can help you avoid common pitfalls and set your organisation up for success.
Do the Pre-Work
Map and modernise business processes before going to market.
Remove inefficiencies and eliminate outdated workarounds (yes, even that spreadsheet).
Review and simplify - don't just digitise what's already broken.
Clean Up Your Data
Good data in = good outcomes out.
Invest in data quality, governance, and accessibility now - not later.
AI and automation only work if your data is accurate, structured, and complete.
Think Integration Early
Don’t assume your ERP will “talk” to all systems out of the box.
Map your tech ecosystem and identify integration points up front.
Plan for supplementary tools that may fill functional or workflow gaps.
Embed Human-Centred Change
Involve your people from day one - not after go-live.
Make the change real: explain what’s different, why it matters, and how it helps them.
Shift from “communication and training” to engagement and ownership.
Prioritise Pragmatism Over Perfection
There’s no one-size-fits-all. Tailor your ERP approach to your organisation’s size, needs, and workforce.
Be prepared for iteration. It’s a journey, not a big bang.
Consider complementary digital solutions to extend value without over-engineering the ERP.
Future-Proof with Your Workforce in Mind
Digital natives expect seamless, intuitive systems.
Show you're investing in technology that helps people do their best work - not just cutting costs.
Think long term: workforce productivity, engagement, and retention start with the tools they use.
Remember: The success of your ERP isn’t just measured in modules delivered - it’s measured in time saved, value created, and people empowered.
About the Author
Marion Burchell is an internationally award-winning government advisor and consultant, featured in over 800 media outlets. With 20 authored or co-authored publications and contributions to international peer-reviewed journals, her work has been adopted as best practice by governments worldwide.
Her career spans both private and public sectors, delivering digital, data, and innovation reforms, as well as leading initiatives in natural resource management, intergovernmental relations, and statutory licensing.a
Marion holds degrees in science and sociology, plus a Certificate in Public Leadership from Harvard Kennedy School Public Leadership Credential.
She is a faculty member at AGSM at UNSW Business School, and Managing
Director of Azolla, a consultancy helping organisations navigate the complexities of the modern age.
About EXTAG
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organisations to ensure all assets – no matter how minor – are compliant,
safe, and ready for use.
Proven in Oil & Gas since 2018, EXTAG’s proprietary platform complements
existing systems to deliver cost-effective, ERP-level control of excluded assets
– making Asset Managers’ jobs simpler and their results visible.
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