1. Why did NIBCO decide to purchase an ERP system?
2. Why did it choose a Big Bang approach, rather than the 3-to-5 year plan suggested by the consulting firm?
3. Describe the pros and cons of a Big Bang approach, versus a less risky rollout strategy. If you had been the IS head at NIBCO, what approach would you have recommended and why?
4. A triad of managers led the NIBCO approach. What do you see as the pros and cons of this approach?
5. Describe the project team roles and the characteristics of the team members sought to fill these roles.
6. Comment on the number of key managers that were selected to serve on the project team, and whether this was a success factor or not.
7. Critique the change management initiatives associated with this project.
8. Critique the distribution center consolidation plan in terms of increasing or lessening the risks of the ERP project implementation.