ERP and transformation programmes are never just “IT projects.” They’re high risk, high impact business critical shifts. Yet one of the most common reasons they fail? Hiring the wrong people – or hiring them too late.
With over 24 years of working with delivery leaders, I’ve seen it happen first hand. Here’s where it typically goes wrong – and how some smarter hiring can change the outcome.
Where Projects Derail (and it’s often not the Tech!)
While project plans might obsess over software, timelines, and integrations, the real failure points are often:
- Critical roles left unfilled during planning or early design
- Contractors disengaging mid phase due to poor fit or poor management
- Generalists placed into specialist roles – and then expected to deliver
- Change, training and comms treated as afterthoughts
- No continuity or ownership post-hire, and unclear accountability
What Smart Hiring Actually Looks Like
Transformation hiring done right is about more than ticking skills boxes. It’s about matching people to phase, culture and outcomes.
It means:
- Bringing in ERP consultants with real world programme delivery experience
- Hiring Change Managers early… before resistance sets in
- Building permanent teams who bring long term value
- Partnering with a recruiter who understands the delivery lifecycle
- When people are right, delivery follows!
How Cedar Stone Helps
At Cedar Stone, we deliver trusted, high quality contract and permanent hires
across:
- ERP (SAP, Oracle, D365, Infor, NetSuite, IFS and more)
- Transformation, Programme & Project Delivery
- Business Change, Comms, PMO & Data
Consider whether contractors are the answer? Partner with a recruiter who can advise where contractors can provide a true added value… and yes, that includes IR35!
We combine modern tools with old school values – care, integrity, and doing things properly.
Need help planning your Q4 or 2026 resourcing?
We’re always happy to share insight – even if you’re not hiring yet.
