Technology is just a tool – people and data are the real foundation of performance transformation. EPM implementation failures do not come from software, but from a lack of comprehensive preparation at the strategic level. When businesses view EPM as a management project, not just a technology project, the likelihood of success increases many times over.
In the following article, Bizzi will clarify two issues:
- Common Errors and Mistakes in EPM Implementation
- How to avoid failure when implementing EPM
Why do many businesses make mistakes in implementing EPM?
Avoiding failure in EPM implementation can start with understanding the nature of the software and learning from the mistakes of other businesses.
1. What is EPM and why is it complex to implement?
EPM (Enterprise Performance Management) – Enterprise Performance Management System – is a platform that helps businesses plan, forecast, report and analyze performance on the same unified system.
EPM connects financial data – operations – human resources – sales, helping the board of directors and CFO have a comprehensive and real-time view of business performance. EPM is not just software, but an overall management system, related to data, processes, people and operational thinking. However, more than 60% EPM projects fail or do not meet expectations (according to Gartner).
EPM is not just software, but a comprehensive management system, related to data, processes, people and operational thinking. Therefore, common EPM errors often occur due to the following reasons:
- Distributed, heterogeneous data
- Complex financial processes
- System integration requirements
- Change your mindset and work habits
- Cost and implementation time
2. EPM Implementation: The Journey of Changing Data Culture
Implementing EPM (Enterprise Performance Management) is not just a technology project, but a journey to change the mindset and data culture throughout the enterprise. When EPM is introduced, the first thing that changes is not the tools, but the way the enterprise thinks and makes decisions based on data.
Being willing to change your work culture is one of the things to do in ways to avoid failure when implementing EPM:
- Leaders need to promote morale EPM data transparency.
- Departments need to share and synchronize data instead of working in isolation.
- The finance department needs to shift its role from data entry to strategic consulting.
3. EPM Implementation Mistakes: From Technology to People
In fact, many businesses invest billions of dong in EPM (Enterprise Performance Management) systems, but after a while, the project stops halfway or is not used effectively.
The common cause of EPM errors lies not only in technology, but more deeply in how businesses prepare people and processes for change.
- Lack of alignment between business goals and technical implementation
A common mistake is that businesses view EPM as an IT project, instead of a performance management project. The system is implemented in a “software installation” direction without being linked to specific business goals. When the technical team and the finance team do not speak with the same voice, the result is a system that works but does not solve the “pain” of the business.
- Lack of Change Management
Implementing EPM means changing years of work habits. From manual data entry in Excel to automated models, from individual reports to centralized data – all require a change in thinking and processes.
Without an internal communications strategy, user training, and a clear transition roadmap, no matter how good an EPM system is, it's easy to get "put to rest" after a few months.
- Project management lacks long-term vision
Some businesses want to “see results immediately”, leading to hasty implementation, lacking a testing phase and evaluating actual effectiveness. This is a common mistake in EPM implementation. There is no set of indicators to measure ROI or performance after implementation, making it difficult to maintain the system in the long term.
6 Common EPM Implementation Mistakes
Deployment EPM (Enterprise Performance Management) is a strategic step to help businesses improve their planning, forecasting and decision-making capabilities. However, many projects do not bring about the expected results because of problems. classic mistakes hereafter.
1. Project Governance Failure
Enterprises deploy EPM but no strong project board, lack of “ownership” and coordination between parties (finance – IT – consulting). Many decisions are delayed, project scope continuously expands (“scope creep”), causing delays and budget overruns.
2. Poor Data Quality & Integration Issues
EPM is only as strong as the data input. If data from ERP, CRM or Excel is incorrect, the system will be “garbage in – garbage out” (Garbage In, Garbage Out). Lack of standardization of account codes, product categories, or consolidation rules makes reporting results unreliable.
3. Lack of training and change management
Users familiar with Excel are often reluctant to switch to a new system. Without training and an explanation of the value of EPM, they will avoid using it or enter data incorrectly.
4. Over-Customization & Technical Complexity
Many businesses want “EPM to do it all” and require deep customization, making the system complex, difficult to maintain and expensive. This is contrary to the “Best Practice” spirit of EPM – standardizing processes, not having to reprogram from scratch.
5. Not defining clear KPIs and ROI
If not specified success measurement goals, businesses will not know how to avoid failure when implementing EPM, and even less know whether the EPM system is "worth the money" or not. Indicators such as planning time, reporting speed, forecast accuracy need to be measured before and after implementation.
6. Under-budget or incorrect cost estimates
Many businesses only calculate the cost of the software, but Forgetting the costs of data, integration, training, and operations.
When budgets are exceeded, projects are stopped or scope is reduced, causing the system to lose overall value.
Root Causes of Failed EPM Implementations
Deployment EPM (Enterprise Performance Management) It's not just about installing a software, but project to completely restructure the way a business operates and makes decisions. Therefore, the common EPM implementation mistakes that lead to failure often do not come from technology, but from lack of preparation in strategy, data and people.
1. Lack of a clear master plan and roadmap
Many businesses begin to implement EPM without a long-term vision – focusing only on one module or short-term problem (e.g. budget planning), without defining a roadmap for future expansion.
The result is:
- The operating system is discrete and not scalable.
- New modules have to be “patched” later, increasing costs and complicating the data structure.
- Users do not see the “big picture” and therefore lack commitment to using the system.
2. Lack of connection between finance & IT
EPM is a unique project: technology for financial operations. But in reality, these two departments often work in parallel, not in the same direction:
- Finance understands the business, but not the technical.
- IT understands the system, but not the logic of planning, forecasting, or consolidated reporting.
When both sides do not go together, the project is likely to encounter the following situation:
- Build the system correctly technically but wrongly in practice.
- Too dependent on outside consultants, no internal succession team.
3. Not yet assessing data readiness
EPM is a data-driven platform – if the input data is incorrect, the system cannot function properly. However, most businesses skip the data quality and readiness assessment phase before starting.
Common EPM errors include:
- Data is scattered across multiple sources (ERP, Excel, CRM…).
- There is no uniform rule for account codes, units, and expense categories.
- Data lacks history or has no time normalization.
How to avoid failure when implementing EPM
Implementing EPM (Enterprise Performance Management) is a journey to restructure the way a business operates, plans, and makes decisions. Success comes not only from good technology, but also from the right implementation strategy, solid data, and human engagement.
Below are six core principles that help businesses avoid failure when implementing EPM.
1. Define success goals and KPIs from the start
EPM only truly delivers value when tied to specific business goals Businesses need to clearly define:
- What is the main goal of the project? (e.g., shorten planning cycles, improve forecast accuracy, consolidate data faster…)
- What is a successful KPI? (e.g., reduce budgeting time by 40%, achieve forecast accuracy >90%)
2. Establish Governance & Stakeholder Alignment
An EPM project requires strong project governance and stakeholder alignment.
Specifically:
- Establish a Steering Committee consisting of CFO, CIO, and key users.
- Clearly define the roles - responsibilities - decision-making rights of each party.
- Maintain regular review sessions to make timely adjustments.
3. Data Quality Assurance
EPM is only strong when input data is accurate, clean and consistent. Before implementation, businesses need to:
- Standardize account categories, product codes, and organizational units.
- Check consistency between ERP, CRM, HRM systems…
- Build the process Data Governance and the person responsible for updating the data (data owner).
4. User training & change management
EPM not only changes processes, but also change work habits Therefore, businesses need a systematic internal training and communication plan to avoid making mistakes in EPM implementation:
Role-based training plan:
- Admin: System operation and configuration.
- Analyst: Analyze, plan, run reports.
- Viewer: Access, view dashboards and summary metrics.
Internal communication:
- Explain Why is the transition to EPM necessary?
- Emphasize Specific benefits for each department to increase adoption rate.
- Select the system that has familiar interface (like Excel in Sactona) to reduce barriers to use.
5. Phased or Agile Implementation
A common EPM mistake is rolling it out in a big, unplanned fashion. Instead of rolling it all out at once, divided into phases or modules.
For example:
- State 1: Budget Planning.
- Phase 2: Reports & Dashboards.
- Phase 3: Forecasting & Scenario Planning.
Approach Agile or Phased Implementation help:
- Easy to test and adjust.
- Shorten “Go-Live” time.
- Reduce risk when expanding the system.
6. Choose a reputable implementation partner
Not all vendors understand FP&A. Businesses should choose partners with experience in finance and performance management, not just technical knowledge.
Examples of popular EPM platforms: Oracle EPM, SAP BPC, Anaplan, IBM Planning Analytics. However, in Vietnam, Sactona - a solution from Outlook Consulting is the most suitable choice for medium and large enterprises, thanks to:
- Exclusively distributed by Bizzi.vn from Japan
- Fast deployment (2-3 months).
- Reasonable cost, fast ROI.
- Excel interface is familiar and easy to access for financial users.
- The implementation team is knowledgeable about FP&A and Vietnamese financial processes.
The Role of Technology in Avoiding EPM Implementation Failure
In financial management, data errors are the “silent enemy” that reduces the reliability of reports, prolongs planning time and causes businesses to delay decision making. Modern EPM technology – especially Cloud, AI, and automation platforms – is becoming a smart layer of protection to eliminate this risk.
1. Cloud EPM helps reduce operational errors
Cloud-based EPM solutions provide stability, standardization, and centralized control.
Unlike separate Excel files or on-premise systems that are difficult to synchronize, Cloud EPM:
- Centralize data on a single platform, ensuring a “single source of truth”.
- Automatically save versions (version control), avoid confusion when multiple people edit at the same time.
- Clear access permissions reduce the risk of data overwriting or incorrect operations.
- Real-time updates ensure all changes are reflected immediately across the system.
2. AI & Machine Learning in Modern EPM
Technology AI (Artificial Intelligence) and Machine Learning are being deeply integrated into EPM platforms to support smarter data forecasting and control. Specifically:
- Anomaly Detection: AI automatically alerts when there are unusual or deviant data.
- Predictive Forecasting: Machine Learning analyzes historical data to create more accurate forecasts, reducing reliance on manual estimates.
- Scenario Modeling: AI enables simulation of multiple “What-if” scenarios to support strategic decision making.
3. Integration & Automation Tools
Common EPM errors often arise when data has to go through many separate systems – ERP, CRM, HRM, Excel… Modern integration technology helps seamless connection These systems ensure data consistency and eliminate manual operations.
Advanced EPM platforms such as Sactona good Oracle EPM Cloud application:
- API-based integration: Directly connect ERP – EPM – BI without manual download/export.
- ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) automation: Automatically extract and standardize data before entering it into the EPM system.
- Real-time sync: Data changes in ERP are updated immediately on EPM, helping reports to always be correct and timely.
In the era of Digital Finance Transformation, CFOs are looking for a solution that helps consolidate data, plan flexibly, and forecast more accurately – but still ensures user-friendly, reasonable cost, and quick implementation.
Sactona is an Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) solution developed by Outlook Consulting (Japan) - a company with over 20 years of experience implementing EPM and FP&A for large corporations in Japan, Korea, and Singapore. Currently, Bizzi is the exclusive distributor of Sactona in Vietnam, providing an international standard EPM version but "Vietnamized" to suit the scale, needs, and financial processes of Vietnamese enterprises.
Sactona stand out for its ability Flexible API integration, familiar Excel interface, and AI-powered forecasting, helping Vietnamese businesses easily apply modern performance management technology without having to invest too much in infrastructure or training. Sactona is not just software, but Strategic solutions to help Vietnamese businesses modernize their financial management systems, moving closer to global operating standards.
Sactona's outstanding features compared to other EPM platforms:
| Characteristic | Sactona | Oracle / SAP / Anaplan |
| Development philosophy | Flexible as Excel, powerful as an EPM system | Complex, many separate modules |
| User interface | Familiar Excel interface → no need for in-depth training | Completely new interface → time consuming training |
| Implementation time | 2-3 months | 6-12 months |
| Development philosophy | Flexible as Excel, powerful as an EPM system | Complex, many separate modules |
| Investment costs | Optimized for medium and large enterprises in Vietnam | High cost, requires internal IT team |
| Customization capabilities | Quick customization, according to business characteristics | Rigid, dependent on the root system |
| System integration | Connect API with ERP, accounting, BI | Often requires complex connectors |
| Support & Maintenance | Bizzi Vietnam team provides direct support | Dependence on foreign suppliers |
Checklist: 10 Steps to Ensure a Successful EPM Implementation
Implementing EPM (Enterprise Performance Management) is not just a technology project – it is a project to transform financial and data management. To avoid mistakes in implementing EPM and ensure success, businesses need to prepare carefully through the following 10 steps:
| Step | Act | Expected results |
| first | Assess current situation and goals | Define Scope & ROI |
| 2 | Establish a project team (Project Governance) | Clear responsibilities |
| 3 | Data quality check | Clean, unified data |
| 4 | Choose the right vendor | Compatible solutions |
| 5 | Set up KPIs to measure success | Accurate ROI tracking |
| 6 | Pilot | Learn from your initial mistakes |
| 7 | User training & communications | Increase adoption rate |
| 8 | Analyze feedback after each stage | Continuous improvement |
| 9 | ERP & BI Integration | Uninterrupted data flow |
| 10 | Periodic ROI Assessment | Ensure the project achieves real value |
Avoiding failure in EPM implementation is not only based on strong software, but also on consensus, clear planning and proper implementation.
With Sactona – the platform Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) new generation Bizzi.vn distribution Exclusive from Japan, Vietnamese businesses can shorten implementation time, reduce the risk of errors and achieve management efficiency equivalent to international corporations - while still maintaining the familiar Excel interface.
Conclude
In reality, mistakes in implementing EPM do not come from technology, but from strategy and people. Common EPM system errors that often occur during implementation show that no matter how strong a system is, it will not bring value without clear direction, effective change management and consensus from the finance and leadership team.
Conversely, a properly planned implementation will turn EPM into a strategic tool that helps CFOs and FP&A:
- Enterprise-wide performance management based on transparent data.
- Plan, forecast and make decisions faster and more accurately.
- Shifting the role of finance from “reporting the past” to “creating the future”.
In the data age, CFOs are not just cost managers – they are strategic drivers for the business. Sactona is not just software, but a platform that helps CFOs transform from cost controllers to strategic value creators.
With a team of FP&A experts and financial consultants experienced in implementing EPM for hundreds of Vietnamese businesses, Bizzi offers:
- International standard implementation method, flexible according to the characteristics of Vietnamese enterprises.
- Support service in Vietnamese, on-site & online 24/7.
- Commit to measurable results (ROI, Accuracy, Cycle Time) after implementation.
Registration here to receive the earliest consultation schedule and experience the free Sactona solution exclusively distributed by Bizzi in Vietnam!