Oracle Using Agile in ERP

ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) is the next step in the evolution of Manufacturing Resource Planning II. The purpose of MRP systems was to help companies achieve maximum efficiency, making them more efficient and effective. MRP eventually spread to other parts of the enterprise organisation, leading to the development of a single system capable of tightening up the entire organisation's processes and providing a single unified dataset as well as an industry-proven standard workflow across the organisation's processes, resulting in a single system that provides all operations data and transparency into what is happening in the organisation. ERP systems automate business processes and provide real-time data for optimising functionality and generating reports.

Project management is an ever-changing challenge that necessitates cutting-edge solutions to handle projects from inception to handover and maintenance. There are dozens of ready-to-use methodologies and frameworks accessible since they have previously been professionally tested and are widely utilised by small and large businesses.

Reputable methodologies such as the waterfall method, Agile method, Lean, Critical Path Method (CPM), Critical Chain Method (CCM), Projects in Controlled Environments (PRINCE2), Projects Integrating Sustainable Methods (PRiSM), Six Sigma, Extreme Project Management (XPM), and hybrid approaches (such as Scrumban, Scrum, and Kanban) are used to manage the projects effectively and professionally.

Oracle Suite has been operational for around 20 years and is a completely native cloud-based ERP system for small and medium-sized organizations. It has the potential to expand businesses that comply with vanilla standard business processes, but it is not necessary. It has greatly accelerated the deployment of modern technology.

Oracle Corporation adopts an Agile methodology for its software development processes, prioritizing flexibility, collaboration, and iterative development. This enables Oracle to promptly address evolving customer needs and release software products more frequently. Agile methodologies encourage cross-functional teams, regular feedback loops, and continuous improvement across the development lifecycle. These practices empower Oracle to stay responsive, promote effective teamwork, and ensure ongoing enhancements to their software offerings. We can further extract this as below mentioned.

1. Development of Projects
This is one aspect of breaking projects into smaller parts known as sprints, typically lasting a few weeks. Each sprint focuses on delivering specific features or functionalities, facilitating
regular progress updates, feedback integration, and adaptation to evolving project requirements. This iterative nature brings several advantages to Agile development. It enables the early and frequent release of valuable features, expediting the delivery time to users. Continuous collaboration with stakeholders ensures their ongoing involvement and input, allowing for their needs and perspectives to be consistently incorporated.

Moreover, this approach aids in the early identification and resolution of issues or challenges, thereby mitigating potential risks. By embracing an iterative framework, NetSuite ERP ensures a flexible, adaptive, and customer-centric development process, resulting in the timely delivery of valuable features while maintaining stakeholder engagement and reducing project risks.

2. User Stories
User stories in NetSuite ERP are descriptions of desired system behaviours from the users perspective. Agile development in NetSuite ERP begins with identifying these user stories, which serve as the basis for prioritizing and planning development efforts. User stories outline the needs and expectations of end-users, helping the development team align their work with customer requirements. These stories follow a simple template, like the INVEST acronym, and
are used to prioritize work, estimate effort, and break down development tasks. Throughout the Agile development process, user stories are continually refined, reviewed, and iterated upon to ensure the final product effectively addresses user needs and expectations. This iterative approach ensures that the development team stays focused on delivering value to users and remains responsive to changing requirements.

3. Product Backlog
Product backlog is a dynamic list of features and improvements ranked by their importance to the business. This list is continuously updated and refined as the project progresses. The backlog considers feedback from customers, market trends, and evolving business needs. The development team regularly reviews and adjusts the backlog to prioritize the most valuable features for implementation and delivery. By maintaining a well-managed backlog, NetSuite ERP ensures that customer needs and business objectives are consistently
considered, resulting in the development of impactful and valuable features that align with the organization goals.

4. Scrum Meetings
In NetSuite ERP, the Scrum framework is used for project management, which is a popular Agile methodology. Scrum meetings are essential for promoting communication, coordination, and teamwork among team members. These meetings include daily stand-ups where the team discusses progress and any obstacles they are facing. Sprint planning meetings are held to define goals and tasks for the upcoming sprint. During the sprint review, completed work is demonstrated to takeholders. Finally, the sprint retrospective allows the team to reflect on the sprint and identify areas for improvement in future sprints. By conducting these meetings, NetSuite ERP ensures effective collaboration and continuous enhancement of project outcomes.

5. Cross-functional Teams
Agile teams consist of members with different skills and expertise, including developers, quality assurance, designers, and product managers. This diverse composition encourages collaboration, sharing of knowledge, and a sense of shared responsibility. By bringing together team members with varied backgrounds, NetSuite ERP ensures that different viewpoints are considered during the development process. This diversity of skills enables the team to work efficiently and deliver high-quality products. Each team member contributes their unique expertise, contributing to a well-rounded approach that addresses various aspects of the project.

By leveraging the collective skills and perspectives of its cross-functional team, NetSuite ERP can effectively meet customer needs and deliver successful outcomes.

6. Continuous Feedback and Adaptation
In NetSuite ERP, feedback from customers and stakeholders is actively sought throughout the development process. Regular demos and iterations are conducted to make iterative improvements and ensure that the software meets customer needs. This continuous feedback
loop allows NetSuite ERP to adapt and make necessary adjustments based on changing requirements, market dynamics, and emerging insights. By actively listening to customer feedback, NetSuite ERP enhances the value and usability of its product. It enables the team to address any gaps or areas for improvement promptly, resulting in a more refined and customer-focused solution. Through this iterative feedback process, NetSuite ERP stays responsive to customer needs, delivering a product that evolves with their requirements and provides a better user experience.

Finally, Oracle has benefitted from incorporating Agile into its structure, resulting in faster product launch times. Product quality has increased, and new product releases have caused minimal disruption to the supply chain. Product and process innovation has improved predictability and sustainability, leading to decreased total cost of ownership and implementation risks.