10 Essential ERP Skills That Required for ERP Professionals

Many project management programs teach people the nuances of methodology, but there is no substitute for having intuition on projects. You need to have a lot of experience in project management to develop an intuition on how a project is going.  

Some project managers naturally have this intuition, and a lot of people don’t. Instinct is one such distinctive skill that can’t be taught. A natural project manager will possess the ability to sense where the project is really at. It is one of the most valuable assets an ERP recruiter is looking for in professionals.

Skill #3. Effective Communication

Your ability to read, write, and speak clearly and in an impactful manner is very important while implementing a complicated IT project. At times, even a good plan can fail if it isn’t communicated well. 

 A communicator needs to recognize that project delivery is always a two-way street, i.e., the information comes into the project and goes out of it.  Every bit of communication in a project should be clear and complete. Top recruiters also find the ability to moderate an effective project status meeting very important.

Skill #4. Project Management

Many employers will be satisfied to see the evidence that you have worked on full life cycle ERP implementation projects and have also taken a budgetary responsibility in the organization. Your project management skills will prove you have taken responsibility for a project and walked it toward successful completion.

Skill #5. Influencing

In general, IT personnel are not renowned for being politically astute or have an influential demeanor like sales personnel. It will be an added point if you, as a project manager, can forge strong relationships with different constituencies throughout the company. This relationship-building can often foster project cooperation and success.

Skill #6. Team Building

It’s very easy and often acceptable for IT professionals and user staff to remain secluded in their comfort zones.  If you can transcend these zones and work for the good of the project, you will be prized for your ability to see the big picture.  An ERP professional must often provide five things to their team-

• Feedback –The team must be explained about how they are doing
• Opportunity – They must be allowed to show their skillset
• Reward – They should be rewarded based on their contribution
• Guidance – The team should be guided when and where needed
• Expectation – They should be made aware of what is expected

Team development largely revolves around four distinct phases called – forming, storming, norming, and performing.

In the first phase, team members often remain quiet, polite, and guarded, but are business-like.

The second phase often results in conflict over control. Individuals often confront one another, and they may either become entrenched or opt-out.

In the third phase, all the regular organizational procedures are accepted by the team. The focus then turns to issues.

In the fourth and final phase, the team settles down and makes productive efforts with trust, flexibility, and a mature closeness, enabling self-direction. But this can only occur if the leader modifies their level of the directive and offers supportive behavior responding to the progressive evolution of team members.

Skill #7. Conflict Resolution

All projects, including ERP, are sure to involve disagreements, which often may arise when the team needs to arrive at a consensus.  Project managers have to work with people and find common ground that’s high in demand.

As a project manager, you must always act calmly and reasonably, either as a third-party or someone who is involved in the conflict. Such conduct can add to the already established reputation and create good credibility in front of employees. 

It is also important to instill the value of respect in the team, especially in case of a conflict, by regulating who speaks first and whose turn goes next. You can stop any expression of animosity that’s undermining toward the other and encourage members to collaborate or compromise instead of avoiding and competing.

Skill #8. Teaching and Mentoring

To recruiters, project management professionals can teach new applications to users are invaluable, especially when the project rolls out. If you can work side by side with others and provide mentoring and support, it will be an added advantage in front of recruiters.

We all agree that the “real” learning only occurs while processing live data at work, instead of training in classes.  ERP project managers need to have the willingness to share, the patience to work, and the ability to listen to others while the team learns.

Skill #9.Time management

Time management is an essential skill required in every business field. Several aspects of the project need to be organized or filed in the form of documentation, contracts, reviews, MOM (minutes of the meeting), specialist documents, e-mails, memos, requirements and specifications, reports, changes, issues, risks, etc. 

Skill #10. Ability to solve Issues

ERP employers need to know if you can solve problems that may turn up during an ERP upgrade or implementation. If you are a natural-born project manager, this skill will come in easily because your ability to resolve issues is not something that can’t be taught or learned easily in any classroom. So if you are successfully able to prove this with examples, your chances of landing the job will increase manifold times.

Final Thought

When you are going for your ERP interview, remember, this meeting is not just for the employer to assess your skills and get to know you. But it is for you to know if you are a good fit for the company or not. If you’ve got the skills listed above, then rest assured – hiring managers are going to headhunt you!