ERP System Implementation Projects: An Update on Critical Success Factors

Our article provides insights into which critical success factors (CSFs) are considered particularly relevant for enterprise resource planning (ERP) system implementation projects. To this end, we conducted two literature reviews, specifically systematic reviews of relevant articles in different databases and of several international conference proceedings from mid-2012 to 2023. These two reviews serve to update previous analyses that we conducted covering the period from 1998 until mid-2012. In our current analysis, we identified 272 relevant papers—single or multiple case studies, surveys, and literature reviews or articles—from which CSFs can be derived; from these studies, we derived 33 different CSFs for ERP projects. The top three identified factors are: 1) Top management support and involvement, 2) Organizational fit of the ERP system, and 3) User training. Our analysis shows that the majority of important CSFs are organizational factors with a strategic perspective. Nevertheless, important technological CSFs should also be considered in ERP projects; these must be coordinated and aligned with the organizational factors in order to contribute to the holistic success of the ERP project. This article contributes to CSF research in the context of ERP projects by providing orientation knowledge, which will make it possible to develop practical recommendations for action and assistance for implementing or adapting ERP systems.