An enterprise has decided to implement an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to achieve operating...

The CIO’s first step should be to ask the CEO to be the sponsor of the program, as this can help overcome the resistance from the business units and ensure the support and commitment of the top management. The CEO’s sponsorship can also help communicate the vision, goals, and benefits of the ERP system to the enterprise, as well as allocate the necessary resources and budget for the implementation. The CEO’s sponsorship can also help resolve any conflicts or issues that may arise during the implementation, as well as monitor and evaluate the progress and outcomes of the program.

Building a governance framework for identifying non-standard processes, requesting funding from the CEO to hire ERP consultants, and engaging a reluctant business unit to conduct a proof-of-concept pilot are possible steps to take after asking the CEO to be the sponsor of the program, but they are not the first step. Building a governance framework can help define and implementthe policies, standards, and procedures for IT standardization, as well as the roles, responsibilities, and authorities of the IT stakeholders. Requesting funding can help secure the financial resources needed to hire external experts or vendors that can provide guidance and assistance for the ERP implementation. Engaging a reluctant business unit can help demonstrate the feasibility and value of the ERP system, as well as gain feedback and buy-in from the end users. However, these steps may not be effective or successful without the CEO’s sponsorship and leadership.