How to Calculate ERP ROI (With a Simple Worked Example)
A practical method for calculating ERP return on investment: which benefits to count, which to leave out, how to estimate costs honestly, and a worked example you can adapt.
Solution · Finance & People
Overview
ERP projects link tasks, time, purchases, expenses and invoices so project managers see margin while it can still be influenced.
01Typical problems
Profitability calculated after the fact.
Completed milestones not invoiced promptly.
Purchases and expenses not linked to projects.
No forward view of staff allocation.
02Capabilities
Phases, tasks and milestones with templates.
By phase, cost type or analytic account.
Time logged against tasks with approvals.
Purchases, expenses and stock consumed charged to projects.
Time and materials, fixed fee, milestones, retainers.
Resource allocation and capacity views.
03Workflow
Project created from a won deal with budget.
Tasks and resources scheduled.
Time and costs recorded.
Invoices by billing method.
Budget vs actual and forecast.
04 — Technical notes
Project accounting uses analytic dimensions so every cost and revenue line can be attributed to a project without complicating the general ledger.
Commitments — open purchase orders — should be included in project reports, because actual-only views hide overruns that are already locked in.
Where it applies
Insights
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FAQ
Yes, milestones can trigger invoices when completed.
Through a customer portal with tasks and documents.
Yes, by combining actuals, commitments and estimates to complete.
Next step
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