ERP adopters often consider training as an afterthought. Some distribute hastily-crafted internal documents detailing key system features or dispatch information technology staff on a case-by-case basis. Others hold general training sessions that cover common workflows or simply leave employees to explore new solutions, sans supervision.

As you can imagine, these instructional approaches rarely give end-users the knowledge they need to maximize their ERP systems and ultimately lay the groundwork low return on investment or complete adoption failure.

"Making sure employees have a chance to become comfortable with the new system before it goes live will do wonders for your chances at ERP success," Kevin Herrig, CEO and president of the enterprise technology consulting firm GSI, summarized in an interview with CIO. "If you don't make training and frequent communication with users a top priority, you will end up owning a very expensive version of Excel."

Obviously, you want to avoid such a situation and design a training program that helps employees leverage your new system to achieve transformative results. Look over these essential ERP training tips to get started:

Take your time
The most effective employee training programs are intense and time-consuming, so be prepared to reserve ample company time for your ERP training efforts. Of course, if you consider your situation, it makes perfect sense. By adopting a new ERP system, you're effectively initiating a cultural shift within your workplace, according to Panorama Consulting Solutions. To ease the transition, develop a multi-step training program that not only addresses new system features but also demonstrates how the solution fits into preexisting workflows and furthers overarching business objectives. Pair live sessions with reference documents that allow employees to resolve issues on their own.

Most experts suggest deploying the program as much as 60 days prior to your official rollout.

Offer tailored training
One-size-fits-all ERP training rarely works, as different employees use the system in different ways. Instead, design tailored training sessions and materials that offer personnel personalized instructions on how to navigate your solution, consulting firm Deloitte advised.

Before you start gathering resources and drafting documents, survey your employees to get a grasp on their computer skill levels. This way, you can identify workers who might require extra attention and design modules that meet their needs ahead of time. Once you've done this, craft role-based training to address different workflows. Additionally, consider offering diverse instructional methods.

For instance, forego run-of-the-mill conference room sessions and organize some self-study options. Or, if you want to experiment, try gamified training. Many organizations, both established and up-and-coming, have adopted such programs and found great success, Entrepreneur reported. Generally, these courses add an element of fun and help employees better absorb information.

Harness internal and external resources
Many companies appoint "super users" to lead in-house ERP training programs, Training magazine discovered. This approach can save you money but it requires a lot of planning, as these internal ERP champions often need training themselves. Plus, there are more practical pitfalls that come with this methodology. For instance, super users may have the system skills to offer advice but might like the communication skills to deliver it correctly to less technically-inclined employees. 

If you foresee these issues, you may want to contract out to an external training consultant. These individuals can help you plan your training ahead of time or come to the rescue if you're having instructional problems post-rollout.

With these strategies, you can conceive an effective training program that will empower your employees, giving them the knowledge they need to navigate your new ERP software and catalyze bottom-line-bolstering change.