Expert Witness Reveals Lessons

Why It Matters

Understanding the root causes of ERP failures helps organizations avoid costly rollouts and reduces exposure to litigation, while expert‑witness insights provide courts with clear, actionable evidence.

Key Takeaways

• ERP projects fail at rates exceeding 80% worldwide.
• Expert witnesses translate technical failures into understandable legal evidence.
• Multiple stakeholders share blame; failures rarely stem from single cause.
• Outside analysis offers clarity missing amid implementation chaos.
• Ongoing consulting work keeps witnesses current on technology trends.

Summary

The live discussion centered on the anatomy of ERP failures, with Eric Kimberling of Third Stage Consulting introducing Fred Hler, director of the firm’s expert‑witness practice. The conversation highlighted that ERP implementations fail at alarming rates—often quoted above 80%—and that litigation around these failures is becoming a specialized niche.

Key insights included the multi‑faceted nature of project collapse: inadequate governance, mismatched expectations, and fragmented accountability all converge to create a perfect storm. Fred explained that an expert witness’s job is to distill this technical chaos into clear, courtroom‑ready testimony, serving either plaintiff or defense while navigating the same data that caused the original disruption.

Fred’s background—spanning IT roles since 1985 and consulting since the early ’90s—underscored his credibility. He noted, “It’s never just one thing; it’s usually a lot of things that have led to this unfortunate position,” and emphasized the advantage of stepping outside the project’s noise to conduct a calm, analytical review.

The implications are clear for enterprises: neglecting robust project controls not only risks costly rollouts but also exposes firms to legal exposure. Companies that engage seasoned advisors early can mitigate failure risk, while those already in litigation benefit from witnesses who stay current through ongoing consulting work, ensuring the most relevant, up‑to‑date insights are presented in court.

Original Description

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