Build a winning business case for your GovCon to adopt an ERP
Your GovCon would function so much more effectively with an enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution that connects your financials, projects, resources, and compliance in a single system. The challenge is getting leadership to see the value.
This guide outlines the top pain points that an ERP solves, the risks of delaying adoption, and how to create a strong business case that earns approval.
The risks of delaying ERP adoption
Many government contractors still rely on spreadsheets or disconnected tools. During an audit, this often means long hours chasing data, only to uncover errors that can result in penalties. Without an ERP, you face:
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Higher audit risk
from incomplete or inconsistent records -
Slow billing cycles and delayed cash flow
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Inefficiencies from duplicate data entry and siloed systems
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Limited capacity to scale
How an ERP delivers results
An ERP designed with government contracting in mind integrates core functions and automates critical workflows. With the right system, you can:
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Maintain FAR, DFARS, and DCAA compliance
through automated tracking and reporting -
Access real-time dashboards
for contract burn rates, labor costs, and indirect expenses -
Shorten days sales outstanding
with automated invoicing and faster payments -
Standardize processes
to support more contracts and team members without adding overhead
Addressing common leadership concerns
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Lack of consensus
ERP adoption affects multiple departments. Executives want growth and visibility, finance wants compliance and cost control, IT demands security and scalability. A strong business case addresses each group’s needs. -
Concerns about cost and disruption
A phased implementation plan can focus first on finance and compliance, then expand to projects and resources, showing early wins. -
Unclear ROI
Manual processes increase compliance errors by 40% and administrative costs by 25%. ROI modeling can show measurable savings and efficiency gains.
Steps to building your ERP business case
Unanet for Small GovCons offers all the features your business needs to thrive:
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Tie ERP goals to strategic priorities
Identify the operational and compliance challenges your organization faces like slow invoicing, audit findings, budget overruns and connect them to leadership’s broader objectives like revenue growth, contract win rates, and operational resilience.
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Quantify the risks and costs of maintaining current systems
Highlight the financial impact of errors, delays, and inefficiencies. Use real examples such as penalties from audit findings, revenue loss from delayed project starts, or higher labor costs from manual processes.
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Model ROI using concrete data
Project the time, cost, and error reductions your organization could achieve by automating workflows. Show how faster billing could improve cash flow and how better visibility could improve resource allocation and contract profitability.
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Address objections with tailored responses
Prepare talking points for each stakeholder group. For example, demonstrate compliance benefits to finance leaders, scalability to IT, and better decision-making visibility to executives.
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Recommend a phased rollout to limit disruption
Outline a clear, step-by-step implementation plan. Start with high-impact areas like finance and compliance automation, then expand to project tracking and resource management. Share examples of organizations that saw quick wins from this approach.
Why choose an ERP purpose-built for government contractors
Generic ERP platforms often require costly customization to meet government contracting requirements. A solution built for this industry delivers compliance-ready accounting, project management, and resource planning capabilities out of the box, reducing risk and speeding implementation.
Take the Next Step
Whether you’re just starting or scaling new heights, Unanet’s solutions are here to help you stay compliant, efficient, and profitable. Discover why 2,000+ GovCons trust Unanet to power their success.
Download A government contractor’s guide to building an ERP business case for detailed strategies and ready-to-use stakeholder talking points.
