5 Questions to Ask Before Implementing a New Payroll and HR System

The thought of implementing new payroll and HR software can be intimidating, especially if past software implementations have not gone smoothly. If you’re considering switching to a new HR and payroll company, ask them these five questions about their implementation process before you make a final decision.

1. Will we have a dedicated team of implementation professionals?

You’ll want to make sure you have one or more implementation professionals dedicated to your account. These are the people that will be there to answer your questions, guide you through what you’ll need to do and ensure the transition goes smoothly. If you’re implementing multiple products, such as HR, timekeeping and payroll, it’s also good to ask if there will be an expert on each product involved in your implementation.

2. How long will the implementation take?

Their answer will depend on how many software products you are implementing, as well as any unique configurations. However, the majority of implementations can be completed in 10-14 weeks.

3. Will my implementation team help me set requirements?

A great implementation team will help you determine your new system’s configuration requirements, and also provide a timeline for the implementation. Your team should also define what success looks like with measurable, achievable metrics. The outcome is a project success plan, which serves as solid documentation for your expectations and theirs, something you can refer back to if issues or questions arise.

4. How will I be able to check the status of my implementation?

Keeping up with how your implementation is going is crucial to its success! To make this communication easier, some HR and payroll providers offer an online, cloud-based project management portal so you can monitor what’s going on.

5. Will there be a final review before we “go live” to make sure everything is as it should be?

Your provider should offer to review the outcomes of all deliverables outlined in your project success plan before your account becomes operational. This can help catch any last-minute errors before you process your first payroll or before employees begin using HR or timekeeping systems.

Once you have answers to these questions, you should be able to feel much more comfortable with the transition you are making. Still have more questions about switching HR and payroll providers? Take a look at our .