Data quality issues in implementing an ERP

Data quality is a critical issue during the implementation of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. Data quality problems can have a significant impact on an organisation’s information system. Therefore, it is essential to understand data quality issues to ensure success in implementing ERP systems. This paper uses SAP as an example of an ERP system and describes a study, which explores data quality problems with existing systems, and identifies critical success factors that impact data quality. The study resulted in the development of a framework for understanding data quality issues in implementing an ERP, and application of this framework in a case study in two large Australian organisations. The findings of the study suggest that the importance of data quality needs to be widely understood in implementing an ERP, as well as providing recommendations that may be useful to practitioners.