Too often, ERP projects take off with big plans but end up dragging more weight than they should. By the time everything is up and running, teams are stuck with tools they barely use. Extra screens, buttons, and features don’t just sit quietly in the background. They slow things down, confuse users, and make troubleshooting harder. When it comes to custom ERP development, planning smart from the start helps keep things clean and useful. The goal is simple: build what you need, ignore what you don’t. But staying focused can be harder than it sounds, especially when requests come from every corner of the business.
Start with the Right Conversations
We’ve seen too many ERP builds go sideways because the right people weren’t at the table early enough. We’ve learned to begin with the users, not just the decision-makers. They’re the ones clicking through screens, entering data, and managing day-to-day operations.
- Talk to people who actually use the current system to find out what works and what gets in the way
- Use those answers to shape what the new system needs, not what leadership assumes
- Avoid building features based solely on upper management’s wish list; good ideas often get better when tested in real workflows
Building something useful starts with clear insight. Those early interviews help us filter out ideas that sound good on paper but don’t hold up when the real work begins.
Separate Must-Haves from Nice-to-Haves
Not every request needs to make it into the first build. It’s natural for teams to throw out ideas during planning sessions. But that bulk can quickly grow into bloat if everything sticks.
We break things into three stacks:
- Must-haves (features needed now to run the business)
- Nice-to-haves (features that would help but aren’t deal-breakers)
- Future maybes (ideas to look at down the road if time and budget allow)
We ask how often an issue happens, what it costs us in time, and who it affects. It helps quiet the noise. Some features look exciting but solve small, rare problems. Others solve real pain that hits every single day. Those are the ones to focus on.
When you review requests with this kind of clarity, your team sees which features actually matter and which ones can wait. Explaining why something is postponed prevents disappointment, since everyone knows what the priorities are. In the end, must-haves keep operations running smoothly, which is the entire point of the project.
Say No to Over-Customization
Custom ERP development gives us room to build what fits. But that doesn’t mean we need to build it all from scratch. There’s a line between useful custom work and overdoing it. Too many tweaks can turn a flexible system into a patchwork of one-off tools that only one person knows how to use.
- Stick to standard configurations where possible; only build from scratch if the process is truly unique
- Ask if the problem could be solved with a setting change, a better workflow, or staff training
- Remember, heavy customization creates more to maintain later when updates or integrations are needed
Building lean keeps things easier to adjust, smoother to load, and quicker to support long term. Kodershop emphasizes scalable ERP services, which help businesses stay adaptable and avoid locking into clunky, over-engineered solutions as their needs grow.
Staying away from too much customization also protects future upgrades. When the software can use updates and new features without breaking, you spend less time fixing things and more time using them. Teams benefit from the balance between a system that fits and a system that can still grow and stay reliable with fewer headaches.
Build a Test Plan That Catches Bloat Early
Once a system starts taking shape, we don’t wait for the go-live date to check if everything works. We build testing into the timeline and keep it based on real daily tasks from real users.
- Walk through common jobs (like submitting a form or pulling a report) inside the system
- Look for anything that feels clunky, unnecessary, or confusing
- Flag unused screens or tools during test runs; they might not be worth keeping
We listen closely to testers who say, “I don’t think I’ll ever use that.” If we hear the same thing from more than one team, we consider removing or hiding that part. The earlier we clean up, the easier it is to train staff and avoid messes once everyone’s using the system.
Testing also gives your users a sense of ownership. When their feedback shapes the system, they are more likely to adopt it. Removing bloat before launch saves everyone time later, since the final product is already closer to what teams actually want to use.
Stay Flexible After Launch, Not During Planning
One trap that slows down ERP builds is adding things mid-project. Someone sees a new feature in a meeting or hears about a tool from another company and suddenly it feels like a must-have. That adds time, adds cost, and opens the door to bugs.
We try not to change the plan once it’s locked. If something comes up late, we:
- Park it in a post-launch request list
- Review it after the system is live and stable
- Add updates only if they still make sense once people are using the system
Making space for future upgrades actually helps us stay focused during the main build. That way, we’re not chasing every new idea or trying to please every voice right away.
No ERP system is ever perfect from day one. Sticking to the plan means your build stays on schedule and doesn’t become a moving target. Actual needs are easier to spot after real users have some time in the system, so saving late ideas for updates gives you time to see what’s really used.
Keep It Lean, Keep It Useful
ERP systems don’t have to solve every problem all at once. They just have to make the work easier, cleaner, and more connected across teams. We remind ourselves that good planning doesn’t mean packing in features. It means building things that solve real problems.
We look for:
- Tools that mirror daily workflows
- Screens that show just what’s needed, no more
- Functions that get used often, not just during setup
Staying lean doesn’t mean making the system small. It means making it make sense for the people counting on it every day. When the system lets them move faster and with fewer steps, that’s worth more than any long feature list.
A system that feels clean and fits daily routines encourages regular use. Less clutter means less time searching for information and less frustration, which increases job satisfaction. Teams work better when the tools help them focus on their role and do not force them to learn extra steps.
Make ERP Fit Your Business, Not the Other Way Around
Kodershop specializes in custom software and ERP development that aligns with your team’s actual work. Their process always begins by listening to end users and analyzing existing workflows, which helps avoid building features that slow things down or add distractions.
Ready to Streamline Your ERP System?
Planning technology that stays clean and easy to use begins with choosing the right approach. At Kodershop, we focus on what benefits your team most and eliminate anything that creates clutter. We ask better questions, build only what’s necessary, and test early with real users. To see how our approach to custom ERP development can help streamline your systems, reach out to get started.