A poorly prepared Anaplan project can quickly turn into a headache. As a multi-certified Anaplan partner, Beyond Plans helps clients steer clear of the common pitfalls we’ll review here. In a tongue-in-cheek way, here are the best ways… to fail your project!
1. Launching Anaplan Without Defining Business Needs
A classic mistake is to treat Anaplan as just another technical tool and dive headfirst into building models. The result? Mockups disconnected from operational reality, hard to use… and quickly rejected by business teams.
👉 At Beyond Plans, we insist on a structured scoping phase. The goal is not to “configure fast,” but to fully understand your processes and pain points so the solution truly fits your needs.
2. Limiting the Project to the IT Department
Another frequent error is handing the project exclusively to IT. Anaplan is a connected planning platform, designed to bring together finance, sales, supply chain, HR… If the project stays siloed in IT, business teams won’t engage and the platform’s value collapses.
👉 Beyond Plans puts business leaders at the center of the project and runs collaborative workshops to ensure user buy-in.
3. Copy-Pasting Old Excel Files
“We want Anaplan… but exactly like our Excel models.” This mindset leads to heavy, rigid models that are impossible to maintain. You miss out on both the platform’s computing power and its flexibility.
👉 Our role at Beyond Plans is to challenge existing practices. We help simplify, standardize, and apply Anaplan best practices without falling into the trap of copying Excel.
4. Neglecting Change Management
A connected planning project is not just about technology. Users need to understand the platform’s value and know how to use it day-to-day. Too many organizations assume “the tool will speak for itself” and end up with teams… still working in Excel.
👉 Beyond Plans supports clients with tailored training programs, dedicated support, and the adoption solution Lemon Learning. Our aim: to make users autonomous, without over-reliance on the integrator.
5. Ignoring Data Governance
No reliable data, no reliable planning. Many projects fail because data quality, access rights, or synchronization rules were underestimated. Anaplan is not a magic wand: bad data will still lead to bad results.
👉 We help our clients secure their data governance from day one, ensuring consistency and long-term reliability of their models.
6. Trying to Do Everything at Once
A common trap: attempting to deploy all use cases in a single phase. This creates endless, costly, and demotivating projects.
👉 Beyond Plans always recommends a phased approach. Start with a focused scope, deliver quick wins, then expand gradually. This incremental method boosts adoption and reduces risks.
7. Choosing an Integrator Without True Anaplan Expertise
Anaplan is a specialized platform. Partnering with a generalist integrator who “does a bit of everything” only multiplies the risks: poorly designed models, lack of support, no best practices.
👉 Beyond Plans has chosen to focus exclusively on Anaplan, with a multi-certified team and dozens of successful projects across France and Europe.
In Summary: Failing an Anaplan Project Is Easy… Succeeding Requires Experience
Ignoring business teams, copy-pasting Excel models, neglecting change management, or working with a non-specialist integrator all are ways to turn an innovative platform into a source of frustration.
On the other hand, a well-scoped, phased project supported by an expert integrator unlocks the full potential of Anaplan.
👉 Beyond Plans helps clients avoid these pitfalls and build robust, agile planning environments that truly empower decision-making.
FAQ – Common Mistakes in Anaplan Projects
➡️ Can we deploy Anaplan without involving business teams?
It’s possible… but it’s the fastest way to fail. Anaplan’s value lies in cross-functional collaboration.
➡️ Is it really a problem to replicate our Excel files?
Yes because you lose the platform’s flexibility and computing power. Anaplan is not “Excel in the cloud” but a platform designed for collaborative planning.
➡️ Should everything be deployed at once?
No. It’s better to move step by step, starting with pilot use cases that quickly prove value.
➡️ How can we know if an integrator is reliable?
Check their references, certifications, and specialization in Anaplan. A dedicated partner like Beyond Plans provides an extra layer of assurance.
