Can Gamification ease the ERP Implementation Process?

As ERP consultants we all understand that each implementation brings its own challenges. While I will not be listing them down here, each project has its own share of challenges that a consultant needs to deal with. While we tackle these in our own ways, one of the most common challenges we all face is generating acceptance for the new system being implemented. As an organization moves from no-ERP state to using any ERP (Microsoft Dynamics, SAP, Oracle and any such) the business users typically have questions about the new system’s capabilities and how it will make their work easy. In this article I will explore the use of GAMIFICATION during the ERP implementation stage to make it smooth for the business users as well as the consultants.

Recently, I happened to read an article on Gamification and I found the concept interesting. I thought to myself if the same concept can be applied to ERP implementation.

https://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/HRMID-05-2015-0074

http://samvad.sibmpune.edu.in/index.php/samvad/article/view/98312

What is Gamification?

Gamification is the application of typical elements of game playing (e.g. point scoring, competition with others, rules of play) to other areas of activity, in our case implementing the ERP. Getting back to the example we discussed above, gamification can be used for making the implementation stage more user friendly by incorporating elements of a game like a leaderboard, virtual avatars, and using the need to succeed to motivate them during this process.

About Gamification

To explain the process in more detail, suppose we are implementing ERP in an organization for the first time, we will need to follow the below mentioned steps:

1. We will need to define what the outcome will look like
2. Then we need to identify what steps the business users need to follow to achieve the outcome
3. We will then pick up the suitable elements of the game process to link to the various steps (because we can’t possibly use all!)
4. Lastly we need to put in place a mechanism to monitor it.

Example of Gamification

Suppose we want our business users to get used to the basics of using their new ERP systems. We can share the user manuals/ instructions with them and ask them to go through the basics of using ERP. Then, we can may be create a simple MCQ or picture based test to check if they have understood the basics. A point system can be introduced at this stage and leaderboards about who has scored the maximum can be shown to all the users. Users can also be given badges for their achievements as they clear various stages. Finally once they clear the test they can create their user name and easily go about their everyday business.

This is a very simple example. Gamification can be similarly used at multiple stages and in different ways during the ERP implementation process.

Benefits of Gamification

1. It definitely makes it user friendly and generates involvement of all stake holders, thereby improving the effectiveness of the implementation process
2. The business users will find it easy as well interesting, which ensures no body defaults any timelines and we get all the required information timely.

Thanks!

Jaymesh Shah