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Part of SPARK® 2.0

ERP Project Planning

Planning for an ERP project: well-defined phases, robust, management-ready, and AI-supported.

We translate your target system into an actionable plan: phased planning, three cost estimates with ranges, client setup, and a rollout strategy for a single system—all presented in a format suitable for management. Phase 3 of our SPARK® 2.0 ERP pre-project.

Schedule an initial consultation →View the process ↓Learn more about SPARK 2.0 →
AI-poweredReliableSuitable for managementPractical
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WHAT YOU GET

Deliverables — in your hands by the end of the ERP project planning phase.

Project Phase Planning

Six-phase plan with milestones, critical paths, and a CRP concept—as the basis for implementation management.

Cost Calculation

Range-based estimates for implementation (based on daily rates), licenses (with optimization), and third-party systems (add-ons & tenants).

Rollout Planning

Recommended approach with rationale — Big Bang, Wave, or Phased. Includes a cutover plan and an end-to-end testing strategy.

Client Setup

Recommendations regarding multi-entity architecture, a common chart of accounts, intercompany elimination, and tenant strategy (single vs. multi).

PROCEDURE

7 steps to a presentation ready for decision-making.

Phase 3 builds on the target system identified during your ERP selection process—planning is carried out for a specific system, rather than for multiple options in parallel. Each step can be commissioned individually.

No.
STEP
WHAT'S HAPPENING
1
Scope Specification
Specify the company codes, sites, and user roles from the ERP selection. A joint workshop will validate the assumptions and lay the groundwork for all further calculations.
2
Phase Plan & Milestones
Development of a robust phased plan that includes preparation, three CRP phases (Conference Room Pilots—end-to-end tests using live data), deployment, and hyper-care. Definition of milestones and acceptance gates for each phase.
3
Implementation Cost Estimate
Cost per module on a daily rate basis: Project Management, Setup, Configuration, Interfaces, Training, Migration, and Hyper-Care — as minimum/maximum ranges with documented assumptions.
4
Licensing & Third-Party System Costing
Mapping employees to appropriate license types—regardless of vendor and with justification. Third-party system licenses, tenants, and add-ons are explicitly identified.
5
Client & Instance Setup
Multi-entity strategy, shared chart of accounts, automatic intercompany elimination, and tenant architecture (single vs. multi). Recommendation with justification.
6
Rollout & Go-Live Strategy
Evaluation of roll-out options (Big Bang, Wave, Phased) based on risk and speed. Cut-over plan for the optimal timing, end-to-end testing strategy, go-live gate.
7
Decision Memorandum
Results presented in a management-friendly format: recommendations, cost-effectiveness, risks, and a plan, all in a single, compact template. Includes a risk register and appendices.
HOW WE CALCULATE OUR PRICES

Transparency over superficial precision.

We don’t provide point estimates, but rather documented ranges based on transparent assumptions—and we include explanations, not just tables.

Implementation Estimate

Based on a daily rate per module. For each item—project management, setup, configuration, interfaces, training, migration, and hyper-care—we provide minimum and maximum ranges based on documented assumptions. You can see where the effort is concentrated and what adjustments can be made.

License Agreement

We map employees to the appropriate license types—regardless of the vendor and with clear justification. You’ll understand why a particular license is intended for a specific role and where there is room for optimization. No black-box calculations.

Third-Party System Transparency

Add-ons, tenants, and integration tools are clearly listed—no hidden charges. You can see which third-party systems are required for each feature and what alternatives are available.

CHALLENGE

The cost of an ERP implementation without a solid plan.

Any company that embarks on an ERP implementation without a structured project plan risks exceeding its budget, choosing the wrong rollout strategy, and facing a go-live that turns into a day of reckoning. We see these six pitfalls in nearly every medium-sized business:

Unclear investment framework

Without a bandwidth estimate, management cannot make a decision—and the project will be delayed by months.

Licensing complexity is underestimated

Base, Attach, Activity, Device, Order Lines — Licensing models require expertise and can blow the budget.

Hidden third-party system costs

Add-ons, tenants, integration tools—these items often account for 20–30% of the total budget.

Incorrect rollout option

Big Bang, Wave, or Phased? The choice determines risk, speed, and acceptance.

Client complexity

Multi-entity (multiple clients/accounting units in a single system), intercompany billing, consolidation — without a proper setup, you’ll be paying for years to come.

Go-Live as a Black Box

The lack of end-to-end testing and an unclear cutover strategy (the actual switch from the old system to the new one) — D-Day is shaping up to be the day of reckoning.

CONSULTING PATH IN THE SPARK 2.0 ERP PRE-PROJECT

The Three-Phase ERP Pilot Project

SPARK 2.0 is ICB’s preliminary ERP project—comprising three sequential phases that can be commissioned individually or as a package. Project planning requires the outcome of Phase 2: a clearly defined target system.

1
GET STARTED

ERP Analysis

Vendor-neutral market analysis featuring a weighted criteria set and a well-reasoned recommendation of 2–4 ERP systems — your basis for making an informed decision when selecting an ERP system.

1–2 weeks1 workshop
2
IN-DEPTH

ERP Selection

In-depth analysis of the preferred systems, including detailed functional and technical requirements, as well as structured discussions with vendors — to determine your target system.

3–4 weeksDeep-dive workshops
3
NEWS
PROJECT PLANNING

ERP Project Planning

Development of the target architecture, implementation plan, and robust business case including TCO—ready for management approval.

1–2 weeksDecision Memorandum
Learn more about SPARK 2.0 →
NEXT STEP

After ERP project planning comes implementation.

With the decision document in hand, you can get started right away. The implementation itself is no longer part of the SPARK pilot project—but of course, we’re happy to guide you through the entire process until go-live.

HOW WE'LL GUIDE YOU TO SPARK 2.0
  • Selection of Implementation Partners
    We recommend suitable partners based on your target system, industry, and project size. You make the final decision; we provide the criteria for evaluation.
  • Contract and License Negotiations
    We’re here to support you during contract negotiations—whether with software vendors or implementation partners. We bring proven negotiation expertise gained from over two decades of ERP experience in the mid-market.
  • Implementation Support & Management
    Risk management, milestone tracking, stakeholder communication, change management—we keep track of everything for you and step in when things get tight.
  • End-to-end testing, cutover, and go-live
    Support all the way through to launch day—including end-to-end testing, cut-over management, and the go-live decision. You have management’s backing; we have the experience to support you.
  • Hyper-Care and Stabilization
    We’ll be right by your side even after go-live—stabilization, refresher training, and lessons learned. Until the system is running smoothly.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Frequently asked questions before the initial consultation.

How long does project planning take?+
Typically 1 to 2 weeks from kick-off—a joint workshop and two to three rounds of iterations with the business units are sufficient. We pick up where your ERP selection process leaves off.
Can we handle project planning for multiple systems?+
No. Phase 3 requires the outcome of Phase 2—specifically, a single target system. Parallel planning for multiple systems would be neither feasible nor cost-effective, because the licensing model, architecture, client setup, and rollout strategy differ fundamentally from one system to another. Anyone still weighing their options belongs in Phase 2 (ERP selection).
What about add-ons and third-party systems?+
We explicitly include tenant licenses, add-ons, and integration tools in our pricing—no hidden fees. Third-party system costs often account for 20–30% of the total budget.
How is the rollout option selected?+
We assess risk, speed, complexity, and seasonality—and make well-reasoned recommendations (e.g., a "big bang" rollout at the start of the fiscal year, or a phased rollout across multiple locations).
How do you manage project risks?+
We systematically identify risks (scope, resources, migration, cutover, acceptance) and assess their likelihood of occurrence and impact using a structured scale (low / medium / high). Based on this, we develop mitigation measures and build explicit buffers into the phase plan. Each risk has an owner and an escalation path.
What exactly is in the draft decision?+
A realistic budget with ranges (min/max), a clear phase plan with milestones, a resource plan, a risk assessment with escalation procedures, the selected rollout option, and a documented recommendation—all summarized on a single page, plus a detailed appendix for further inquiries.
How accurate are the cost estimates?+
We intentionally provide estimates as ranges (min/max). The actual effort required depends on the scope of the project, the availability of your departments, and the level of detail in the requirements. Assumptions are documented—this forms the basis for a sound investment decision.
How soon will implementation begin after that?+
Using the decision-making document, you can immediately engage the implementation partner. Upon request, we can assist with the selection and management process.
INITIAL CONSULTATION

Ready for ERP project planning?

In 30 minutes, we’ll discuss your current situation and which specific project planning components make sense for you—whether it’s a phased plan, a budget, a rollout strategy, or the full package. Free of charge and with no obligation.

Schedule an initial consultation →info@icb-gmbh.de