One consistent principle of lean initiatives is documentation of change over time. As processes and practices within the organization change, it is necessary to record how things are done, why they are done that way and the resulting outcome.

By structuring the software documentation as a wiki, it becomes possible to document not only how the ERP software is being used, but the processes it is used to execute. The wiki format automates the lean mandate to document process change. As processes are altered, the wiki is updated, leaving a full history of when and how the process was changed and the results that ensued.

Wikis can also reduce the amount of value added work spent looking for information or trying to determine the proper process to follow in a particular situation. They can have an immediate and understandable impact on the amount of training required to use an ERP solution and to learn the processes within a company, speeding the time to value following a new hire.

Selecting ERP with Enterprise 2.0

Once you have determined that enterprise 2.0 holds real value for your business, there are a few factors to take into consideration.