business blueprint Archives - Innovate. Integrate. Transform. Run.

Phase 6 RUN SAP ASAP Methodology
Phase 6 RUN SAP ASAP Methodology

Phase 6 RUN SAP ASAP Methodology

By Bill Wood|March 26th, 2012|

Anyone who has been around SAP for any period of time is reasonably familiar with the SAP ASAP Methodology. In fact I rarely see sales presentation materials from many system integrators which do not at least mention it. Even some of the bigger integrators with custom methodologies may reference it in passing and show the SAP Implementation Roadmap to demonstrate how their methodology has some similarity to it, or supplements some of the few gaps that may remain. In a prev [...]

Global SAP Instance Consolidations
Global SAP Instance Consolidations

Global SAP Instance Consolidations

By Bill Wood|January 24th, 2011|

Over the last several years, a number of companies have undertaken a global instance consolidation. And it's no wonder why-- a global SAP consolidation presents opportunities for significantly reducing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). However, this type of system consolidation also brings numerous change management issues to address. As you embark on your consolidation, you will find that some major issues are easier to resolve, because the hard decisions around processes and scope were resolved [...]

Aligning SAP Scope to Meaningful Business Requirements
Aligning SAP Scope to Meaningful Business Requirements

Aligning SAP Scope to Meaningful Business Requirements

By Bill Wood|April 13th, 2010|

I am always amazed at how many projects miss one of the most important (and relatively simple) scoping requirements. The worst part is that projects don’t just miss it, but they get it completely backward! After doing SAP projects since 1994, I still cannot believe SAP’s customers don’t use the old “Seven Habits” step of starting with the end in mind. What do I mean by that? Start Your SAP Project with Reports and Business Requirements Why do so many projects wait until they are live with some [...]

ERP, SAP, or IT Project Management and Prototyping for Success
ERP, SAP, or IT Project Management and Prototyping for Success

ERP, SAP, or IT Project Management and Prototyping for Success

By Bill Wood|March 15th, 2010|

Over the years I have worked with teams that had great project management and others that had poor project management. The projects with really good project management generally ran smoothly with less stress, allowing the team to be more productive. A Few of the Characteristics of a Well-Managed ERP Project I have noticed a few consistent elements in well-managed projects. Those elements can be summed up in the following list: The project manager produces a published project plan with tasks, tim [...]

Breakthrough Project Success: Part 4 of 4, Last Low Risk Chance for Results
Breakthrough Project Success: Part 4 of 4, Last Low Risk Chance for Results

Breakthrough Project Success: Part 4 of 4, Last Low Risk Chance for Results

By Bill Wood|January 18th, 2010|

8 steps after IT vendor selection for business and project success during the SAP, ERP, or IT blueprint. Improve your chances for success by following these steps to set expectations, support the highest quality blueprint, and weed out any individual SAP or ERP consultants who are not appropriate for your project.

Planning For a Smooth SAP Go-Live: Part 2
Planning For a Smooth SAP Go-Live: Part 2

Planning For a Smooth SAP Go-Live: Part 2

By Bill Wood|October 25th, 2008|

2. SAP Master Data Ideally, your master data processing should begin early in the process. During the blueprint phase, you should identify legacy data sources, raw legacy data extracts, and key data requirements or data settings. Even though it won’t be perfect, you should determine an initial scope, and experienced developers should be able to point you to the type of raw data records they will need to begin working with. When you begin your SAP project, you should immediately ask for SAP mast [...]