- Sam Bayaa
- Reading Time: 2 minutes
Phase 0 is the pre-implementation stage of your ERP journey. Think of it as your opportunity to align leadership, define scope, and build a blueprint for program governance, before any system integrator (SI) is under contract or any design workshop is scheduled.
There are three outcomes every Phase 0 should drive, including:
- Strategic Clarity: What business value are you pursuing? What will it take to get executive approval?
- Scope Transparency: Do you have enough detail to inform a competitive, structured RFP?
- Decision-Making Readiness: Are you equipped to make key decisions before and after kickoff?
Why Phase 0 Matters
Phase 0 is not “extra” or optional; it’s the foundation of your entire program. The work that happens here is essential, whether you do it before your RFP or pay for it during your SI’s Discovery phase, which often comes at a higher cost and without competitive pressure.
Failing to complete a robust Phase 0 increases risk in four major ways:
| Risk Area | Without Phase 0 | With Phase 0 |
| Executive Buy-In | Misalignment of goals and budget | Clarity on scope, value, timeline |
| SI Selection | Apples-to-oranges proposals | Structured, comparable bids |
| Change Orders | Vague or missing scope | Detailed assumptions and clear boundaries |
| Governance | Decision bottlenecks | Defined structure and accountability |
Light vs. Heavy: Finding the Right Phase 0 Balance
Not all programs need the same type of Phase 0. There’s no one-size-fits-all model. That’s why we help clients tailor their approach to match their transformation needs, internal maturity, and decision velocity.
But here’s the key:
- If Your Phase 0 is Too Light ➝ You increase exposure to downstream cost, timeline, and resourcing risks.
- If Your Phase 0 is Too Heavy ➝ You risk over-engineering based on a vendor’s preferred methodology, introducing lock-in before real decisions are made.
A successful Phase 0 focuses on what you need to know to make informed choices, not what your SI wants to sell you.
Signs You’re Ready to Start Phase 0
You do not need to have every detail finalized to kick off Phase 0. In fact, here are signs you’re ready, even before a formal RFP is written:
- You’ve identified the pain points driving transformation
- There’s an emerging vision of future state goals
- You’re under pressure to show credible costs, benefits, and timelines
- You’re preparing to evaluate software or SI options
- You want to preserve commercial leverage in the process
If any of the above are true for your organization, then it’s time to move forward with a Phase 0 strategy.
What A Good Phase 0 Looks Like
A well-executed Phase 0 includes:
- Defined business objectives linked to transformation goals
- Documented process scope with transparency on complexity and uniqueness
- Preliminary integration and data migration strategy
- Clear governance model to make and escalate decisions
And most importantly, it’s owned by you, not outsourced to a vendor who will later respond to the RFP.
Bottom Line
The best implementations don’t begin at kickoff. They begin with Phase 0 done right.
This phase gives your executive team the clarity it needs to approve the program, your procurement team the tools to drive a competitive selection, and your delivery team the structure it needs to execute confidently.
Want help designing a Phase 0 tailored to your transformation goals? Don’t let ambiguity derail your transformation. Discover how UpperEdge’s Project Execution Advisory Services can help you design a Phase 0 that aligns stakeholders, sharpens scope, and preserves commercial leverage before you even sign with an SI.
