ABSTRACT
Once packaged software has been selected, the process is similar to the implementation of a custom-developed system. Like any other aspect of system development, the implementation of packaged software is most successful if approached as a project with clearly defined tasks and deliverables. Many vendors recognize this and provide project plan templates that can be customized by the customer. If the vendor does not supply one, the project team should develop a formal plan, showing the effort required for each task and the estimated start and end dates. In addition, a functional process map is helpful to delineate responsibilities and show the sequence of major tasks.
