How to Build an Effective ERP Steering Committee
The difference between a successful ERP implementation and a failed one often comes down to governance. A well-structured steering committee provides direction, accountability, and decisive leadership when projects need it most.
Why Governance Matters
Without clear governance, ERP projects drift. Decisions get delayed, scope expands unchecked, and accountability dissolves. A steering committee acts as the project's compass—keeping it aligned with business objectives while empowering teams to execute with confidence.
Core Components of an Effective Steering Committee
The Right People at the Table
Your steering committee should include executive sponsors, functional leaders, IT leadership, and a project manager. Avoid making it too large (5-7 members is ideal) or too junior—these need to be decision-makers with authority.
- Executive Sponsor: Provides strategic direction and removes organizational roadblocks
- Functional Leaders: Operations, Finance, Supply Chain, Quality—the people living with the results
- IT Leadership: Technical feasibility, integration strategy, infrastructure planning
- Program Manager: Day-to-day execution, status reporting, issue escalation
Clear Decision Rights
Ambiguity kills momentum. Define upfront what decisions the steering committee owns versus what the project team can handle autonomously. Create a simple decision matrix:
Steering Committee Decides:
- • Scope changes impacting timeline/budget
- • Vendor selection and contract terms
- • Resource allocation conflicts
- • Go/no-go decisions at milestones
Project Team Decides:
- • Configuration details within scope
- • Testing approach and schedules
- • Training logistics and materials
- • Minor process adjustments
Structured Meeting Cadence
Consistency matters more than duration. Establish a predictable rhythm:
Weekly (During Active Phases)
30-minute check-ins to address blockers, approve decisions, and maintain momentum
Bi-Weekly (During Planning/Stabilization)
Strategic reviews, risk assessment, and course corrections
Ad-Hoc (For Critical Issues)
Emergency sessions when escalations require immediate attention
Transparent Reporting Framework
Skip the 50-slide PowerPoint decks. Steering committees need concise, actionable information:
- Red/Yellow/Green status for schedule, budget, scope, and risks
- Top 3 accomplishments since last meeting
- Top 3 risks/issues requiring steering committee attention
- Specific decisions needed from the committee
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Rubber-Stamp Committees
If every meeting is just status updates without real discussion, you're wasting everyone's time
Too Much Detail
Steering committees should focus on strategic direction, not tactical implementation details
Inconsistent Attendance
If senior leaders regularly skip meetings, it signals low priority—killing team morale and momentum
Making It Work
A steering committee isn't bureaucracy—it's protection against the chaos that derails ERP projects. When structured correctly, it provides the clarity, accountability, and decisive leadership that turns complex implementations into business successes.
At Hermes Manufacturing Partners, we help organizations establish governance frameworks that work. Whether you're starting fresh or fixing a struggling project, we can help you build the leadership structure your ERP program needs.
Set Up Your Governance Framework