System integration (SI) projects, if done right, can provide a big boost to enterprise productivity. Eliminating repetitive data entry and putting the right information needed in front of the user improves efficiency and customer service.

Organisations use key performance indicators (KPIs) at multiple levels to evaluate their success at reaching targets. Everything from an increase in sales revenues, profit margins, accounts payable turnover, inventory turnover, and fulfillment rates are measurements of productivity that can be positively influenced as a result of successful IT projects.

So why do most organizations neglect to include KPIs as part of their system integration project planning process?

There are hundreds of KPIs across different departments that can be used to show how SI projects save time and money while improving customer satisfaction. Taking the time to calculate the ones that are the most relevant for your project is well worth it.

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Here are four reasons why KPIs should be an essential part of your SI plans.

Widens your project scope

When KPIs are calculated in the early stages of a project, new opportunities for improved efficiencies can be discovered.

For example, when automating the sales process there could also be additional benefits for finance, including a reduction in days sales outstanding, reduction in collection time for accounts receivable and time reduction to close books.

If financial analysts are involved up front, exploring all the additional benefits, additional business processes can be included in the project, increasing its impact and value to the organisation.

Raises IT’s profile

One of the struggles of IT management is to make that leap from being perceived as a cost centre to an enabler of digital transformation that can boost the organisation’s bottom line.

By translating the SI project benefits into business KPIs, the benefits IT brings to the organisation become clear.

For example, ERP system integration projects can result in reduced inventory costs, faster planning cycle times, improved fulfillment rates and fewer back orders as a result of more accessible, relevant and accurate product data.

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These KPIs will be more effective at getting an executive’s attention than simply saying that a SI project will take ‘x’ amount of days and cost ‘y’ dollars.

Speeds up the approval process

Providing return on investment figures using KPIs will accelerate the time it takes for projects to be approved by management and finance since the value of the project is clear.

Since the figures are generated as a team effort with the business managers, there will be the necessary buy-in from management up front which will increase the credibility, urgency, and priority of the funding request.

Works the kinks out ahead of time

System integration projects have a reputation for becoming unwieldy.

Calculating KPIs in advance requires more detailed system requirements. In order to estimate the benefits of the improved efficiency, each process that’s automated needs to be inspected carefully.

These detailed reviews can uncover new information that might have otherwise resulted in unpleasant surprises.

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Working hand in hand with business managers to define KPIs to measure the project’s value will boost the project’s chances for success. Including KPIs with a business plan can only add value to the project itself, and will position the IT department as management’s strategic partner.

Keeping track of important KPIs helps technology do what it does best; make a business run better and more profitably.

Sourced by Stephan Romeder, general manager, Magic Software Europe