The choice of the implementation approach of an integrated management system is an important decision at the project implementation. It significantly influences the system configuration, allocation of resources, management of the project and its risks. The implementation approach mode plays a decisive role in all stages of the system's life cycle. Herein are addressed the different modes to start the operation of ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems: big-bang, small-bangs and the phased implementation, as well as their advantages and disadvantages. The work also reports on the results achieved by an exploratory research carried out in 53 Brazilian companies, users of the R/3 system by SAP. These results infer how the company's and the project's characteristics affect the decision on the implementation approach and how they relate to the time required to implement the system.
ERP systems; integrated management systems; information systems
