Back in the Trenches: What ERP Implementations Continue to Teach Me
Heller Search Associates, Wednesday, November 4th, 2026
Fractional CIO Scott Hicar shares ERP lessons: it is still about people, outcomes beat methodology, and iteration beats perfect plans.
Scott Hicar thought his CIO career was over until hands-on ERP implementation work drew him back as a fractional CIO.
He reflects that his most rewarding work has been transformational, from rebuilding IT organizations and infrastructure to high-risk M&A integrations and ERP programs.
His lessons are that even with AI adoption, ERP success still comes down to people.
Outcomes matter more than methodology, iteration beats perfect up-front planning, and sustainability has to be designed in from day one.