Project Reframe: D365 Powered by Business Leadership

Client Overview

A publicly traded U.S.-based BioMed company needed to rapidly replace its aging legacy ERP system (Dynamics GP) with Microsoft Dynamics FSC to support business growth. With a tight 12-month timeline and limited business user engagement, the client sought a "lift and drop" implementation with minimal customization.

The Challenge

The organization’s siloed culture and IT-lead approach to ERP created major roadblocks from the start. With minimal business involvement and weak internal ownership, the project struggled to gain traction.

• Low Business Engagement: The ERP initiative was seen as an IT-only effort, resulting in limited accountability and minimal participation from business stakeholders.

• Overextended SMEs: Subject Matter Experts were already stretched thin and viewed the project as a burden, not a priority.

• Ineffective Project Leadership: The internal project manager, also from IT, lacked both authority and incentive to secure meaningful business involvement.

The Solution

Poize2 quickly recognized the need to shift ERP ownership from IT to the business and took decisive steps to reset the project.

• Reframed the Project: Partnered with the VP of IT to engage senior business leaders and reinforce the idea that ERP is a business-driven system.

• Built Accountability: Formed a core team, clarified roles, communicated milestones, and transitioned SMEs into accountable, engaged participants.

The Results

• On-Time, On-Budget Delivery: Launched D365 FSC in 18 months with only one schedule shift and minimal budget increase.

• High Quality Execution: Achieved 99% UAT pass rate with a single Conference Room Pilot; met Q2 targets with a mid-month go-live.

• Leadership Realignment: Client reassigned their internal PM, relying on Poize2 to lead all teams, driving faster decisions and greater momentum,

Key Takeaways

• ERP implementations demand full commitment from the business - not just IT or external partners.

• Success hinges on involving top finance and operations talent from day one. Dedicate your best people to the project, backfill their roles, incentivize their participation, and ensure they return to their original roles post-implementation.

• Business ownership is not optional - it’s essential.