ERP Implementation Success Factors Across Project Phases: An Action Research and Fuzzy AHP Study in Moroccan SMEs

Today, adopting an ERP has become a critical decision for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) seeking to modernize their information systems and implement integrated management. In this context, it is crucial to identify the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) to ensure the successful ERP Implementation (ERPI). However, previous studies have generally analyzed these factors in a broad sense, without considering their progression through the various phases of the ERPI process. The objective of this study is to identify the CSFs associated with each phase of the ERPI process, as well as to determine their relative importance in each of these phases within Moroccan SMEs. To achieve this objective, a mixed-methods approach was adopted. The action research method was used to identify the CSFs associated with each phase of the ERPI process within Moroccan SMEs. Additionally, we used the Fuzzy AHP method to determine their relative importance in each of these phases. The results indicate that the importance of CSFs varies across the different phases of ERPI. During the analysis phase, strategic factors are paramount, while those related to project management and technology gain in importance during the design and implementation phases. Finally, organizational factors play a crucial role during the final preparation phase, as well as during the implementation and support phase. This research complements the existing literature, which analyzes key success factors in a general way, by offering a phase-by-phase analysis of the ERPI process. It provides ERP consultants and project managers with a clear overview of the factors to prioritize at each phase of the project, and helps reduce the risk of ERP failure by identifying the key success factors that ensure the successful implementation of ERP within Moroccan SMEs.

@article{Zouhair2026,
  title     = {ERP Implementation Success Factors Across Project Phases: An Action Research and Fuzzy AHP Study in Moroccan SMEs},
  journal   = {International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications},
  volume    = {17},
  number    = {6},
  year      = {2026},
  publisher = {The Science and Information Organization},
  author    = {Yassine Zouhair and Younous Elmrini},
  doi       = {10.14569/IJACSA.2026.0170671},
  url       = {https://doi.org/10.14569/IJACSA.2026.0170671}
}