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How contract staffing reduces ERP project risk (and cost) 

Addison Group
Team discussing how Addison Group helped reduce ERP project risk

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are a major investment—both financially and operationally. The promise of streamlined processes, centralized data, and improved decision-making is tempting, but the journey to implementation can be risky and expensive. One misstep can cause project delays, employee attrition, or cost overruns. That’s why organizations are increasingly turning to contract staffing to reduce these risks. 

In this article, we’ll break down how contract professionals help mitigate risk, control costs, and improve outcomes throughout an ERP implementation. 

Why ERP implementations are inherently risky 

ERP projects are complex. According to a report by Gartner, up to 75% of ERP projects fail to meet their intended objectives. Reasons include insufficient planning, lack of change management, unclear roles, and resource constraints. 

These are all areas where additional support—especially experienced contract workers—can have a measurable impact. 

The hidden costs of overburdened teams 

Internal finance and accounting professionals are often expected to lead ERP efforts while still managing day-to-day operations. This dual responsibility doesn’t just stretch them thin—it invites errors and delays. 

When internal teams are overburdened: 

  • Close cycles lengthen 
  • Reconciliations pile up 
  • Key testing deadlines are missed 
  • Morale and focus plummet 

Bringing in contract workers helps distribute the load. For example, assigning contractors to manage transactional work (like AP/AR, reconciliations, and reporting) frees internal SMEs to concentrate on high-impact ERP activities. 

Reducing burnout and retention risk

ERP implementations can span 12 to 24 months—more than enough time for fatigue to set in. A fatigued team is prone to burnout, and burned-out employees are more likely to quit. 

In fact, the Institute of Management Accountants reported that 39% of finance professionals experienced high levels of stress and burnout in 2023. Replacing mid-level finance employees during an ERP rollout is expensive and disruptive. 

Contract support gives your team a much-needed buffer, helping you retain top talent and avoid mid-project turnover. 

Scaling up (and down) with flexibility

ERP projects have peaks and valleys. One month might demand heads-down work migrating data; the next, you’re facilitating user training across multiple departments. A full-time hire might not be the answer—but a contract worker can be. 

With contract staffing, you can: 

  • Ramp up during high-demand phases 
  • Quickly bring in niche experts 
  • Scale down once go-live is complete 

This flexibility helps keep your budget tight and your resources aligned to the real needs of the project. 

Minimizing implementation delays 

Delays are expensive. Every extra month spent on implementation is a month without ROI. According to Panorama Consulting, 58% of ERP implementations take longer than expected. 

Reasons include: 

  • Internal bandwidth constraints 
  • Poor documentation 
  • Missed testing deadlines 

Contract workers can plug these gaps quickly, ensuring critical tasks stay on schedule. Whether it’s a seasoned project accountant validating transactions or a documentation specialist supporting user training, extra hands make a difference. 

Cost containment, not just cost cutting 

Yes, contract staffing involves an investment. But the cost of not augmenting your team can be far greater: 

  • Lost revenue from delayed go-live 
  • Overtime pay for exhausted staff 
  • Rework due to missed requirements 
  • Recruiting costs from staff turnover 

A strategic staffing partner will help you find experienced professionals—workers who’ve been through similar projects and understand what’s at stake. Their efficiency translates into time savings, reduced risk, and overall cost control. 

Get the right help at the right time 

ERP success isn’t just about choosing the right software—it’s about managing change across people, processes, and systems. The right contract professionals help you reduce risk and cost by shoring up operations, filling skill gaps, and allowing your internal team to focus on what matters most. 

If you’re preparing for or in the middle of an ERP implementation, don’t wait until cracks begin to show. Consider how a well-placed contract hire today could save you hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars tomorrow. 

The smartest investment you can make might just be in your people—even the ones who haven’t joined your team yet. 

Whether you’re in the early stages of planning your implementation/migration or are already in progress, let’s talk about how Addison Group can support your talent gaps.  

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