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SAP Program Management Requires a Type of CMMI
SAP Program Management Requires a Type of CMMI

SAP Program Management Requires a Type of CMMI

By Bill Wood|November 7th, 2011|

Many are unaware that SAP provides a broad set of tools and resources for Program Management and the Capability Maturity Model (or CMM). Few are familiar with SAP’s broad set of supports for this purpose, such as the ASAP Methodology Phase 6 “Run” enhancement. This enhancement is loaded with key information that aligns with Program Management responsibilities and CMMI (Capability Maturity Model Integration) [FN1]. So, what is CMM (or CMMI as it is more properly referred to)? “CMMI (Capability M [...]

How the SAP Consulting Peter Principle Works
How the SAP Consulting Peter Principle Works

How the SAP Consulting Peter Principle Works

By Bill Wood|September 12th, 2011|

Most of us working in business for any period of time have heard of the “Peter Principle.” Dr. Laurence J. Peter and Raymond Hull formulated this concept in their 1968 book The Peter Principle, a humorous treatise which also introduced the "salutary science of Hierarchiology." [FN1] While the exact quote is slightly different, many interpret this as meaning that people tend to rise to their level of incompetence in organizations built on hierarchies. As an important caveat before getting into t [...]

Effective Results from SAP Project Managers – SAP Program Managers
Effective Results from SAP Project Managers – SAP Program Managers

Effective Results from SAP Project Managers – SAP Program Managers

By Bill Wood|July 18th, 2011|

In all the years I have been involved with SAP, I have often puzzled about what creates a quality project rather than some of the horrors they call SAP projects. I have seen a few go really well, a few not so much, but most were mediocre. I have often asked myself “Why? What makes the difference between a good project and one that is nothing short of a mess?" One key item that stands out is project management. Even with the most talented and dedicated resources, bad project management can ruin [...]

Steering Committee Governance for an SAP Center of Excellence
Steering Committee Governance for an SAP Center of Excellence

Steering Committee Governance for an SAP Center of Excellence

By Bill Wood|July 11th, 2011|

This post is based on information from my ASUG presentation in Atlanta: Beyond Technology Alignment – Building a Center of Excellence (http://bit.ly/jJefxP). ------------------------- At the intersection of business and IT, you have convergence. At the place of convergence is where the Center of Excellence exists. ------------------------- One of the key SAP project success factors is to use a steering committee made up of key business stakeholders. They can meet once a week or once a month, bu [...]

Overcome SAP-ERP System Integrator Sales Tactics 2
Overcome SAP-ERP System Integrator Sales Tactics 2

Overcome SAP-ERP System Integrator Sales Tactics 2

By Bill Wood|May 16th, 2011|

Now, we move into the live ERP or SAP sales process. After you complete your RFP and as you entertain all of those proposals, you will see the sales games, scams, and shams really kick in. As the process unfolds, beware of the many tactics, schemes, tools, and tricks that ERP system integrators use to gain access to your checkbook. Like a magician, they have a bag of tricks-- but also a potential million-dollar deal or more on the line. The show begins. Software integrators load up on tricks, s [...]

Scams, Shams, ERP System Integrator Tactics
Scams, Shams, ERP System Integrator Tactics

Scams, Shams, ERP System Integrator Tactics

By Bill Wood|April 25th, 2011|

I read two articles that I wanted to summarize and review here. The articles provide two opposing viewpoints of consulting and some lessons learned for service buyers. This article on CIO about “7 Dirty Consultant Tricks (and How to Avoid Them)” [FN1] caught my attention. In particular, I was interested in the part about ways consultants try to “extract money from their clients…”: IT consultants are among the most slippery of the bunch. Among their favorite tricks: Using "scope change" t [...]