Investing in a Corporate Performance Management (CPM) platform like OneStream is a major strategic decision. But too often, the risks don’t come from the technology—they come from how it’s implemented.
From poorly scoped projects to low user adoption, the hidden costs of implementation failure can delay ROI, demoralize teams, and undercut transformation efforts. In this article, we’ll break down what goes wrong, share real-world lessons, and show how finance leaders can avoid common pitfalls before they derail progress.
When Great Software Falls Flat
In Episode 50 of Nova Advisory’s CPM Customer Success podcast, Gabby Morales, Global Financial Systems Manager at IPS Corporation, shared a stark example:
“When I joined IPS, OneStream was already installed—but only one person in IT was even using it. There was no documentation, no training, no ownership. The implementation had quietly failed.”
Gabby’s experience isn’t unusual. According to Accenture’s 2024 Finance Operating Model report, 59% of CFOs say their finance transformation projects underdeliver due to poor alignment between strategy, systems, and operations.
That misalignment often begins at implementation.
The Hidden Costs of Poor CPM Implementation
- Rework and Redo Projects
A failed rollout often means re-scoping, re-building, and re-training—at significant cost. Gabby’s team had to perform a full health assessment, identify system gaps, and rebuild their implementation from scratch.
- Lost Time and Delayed ROI
When a platform isn’t being used—or used incorrectly—it can take months (or years) longer to see business value. Teams continue to work in spreadsheets or rely on legacy tools, dragging out close cycles and decision timelines.
- Low User Adoption and System Abandonment
A powerful platform is only useful if people know how to use it. Without training, job aids, and embedded support, finance users may revert to old ways—negating the value of the investment entirely.
- Change Fatigue and Resistance
As Gabby noted, the IPS team was reluctant to re-engage: “They had already been through one failed implementation. It took time to earn their trust and show them the value of starting fresh.”
What to Watch for Before You Start
To avoid these costly missteps, finance leaders should ask the following questions before implementation begins:
- Have we clearly defined the business problems this implementation needs to solve?
- Are we involving the right stakeholders from both finance and IT?
- Do we have a dedicated internal admin or system owner from day one?
- Have we scheduled training—not just once, but continuously?
- Is our implementation partner focused on long-term success, not just technical go-live?
Real Lessons from a Reimplementation
Gabby’s team at IPS didn’t just fix a broken project—they transformed how the organization uses OneStream:
- From 1 to 50+ users actively working in the system
- Full rollout of Task Manager and Help Desk for smoother closes
- Account Reconciliations and Forecasting now fully embedded in OneStream
Their success was driven by:
- Rebuilding trust through live user training and 1-on-1 support
- Partnering closely with Nova Advisory to scope accurately and build for long-term value
- Focusing on flexibility and extensibility to support evolving business needs
“When we reimplemented, it wasn’t just about the tech—it was about making people feel confident using it. That’s when the value showed up,” Gabby shared.
Final Advice: Build for the Future, Not Just Go-Live
If you’re about to begin a OneStream implementation, take a step back and define what success looks like after go-live:
- Who owns the platform internally?
- How are new users onboarded and supported?
- What does continuous improvement look like
A successful implementation isn’t measured by deployment. It’s measured by adoption, trust, and the ability to drive better business decisions over time.
Need Help Getting It Right?
Nova Advisory specializes in zero-drama implementations that align technical capability with business strategy. If you’re planning a OneStream rollout—or wondering if your current setup is delivering—we’d love to talk.
