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Reduce SAP Project Stress Part 3
Reduce SAP Project Stress Part 3

Reduce SAP Project Stress Part 3

By Bill Wood|May 10th, 2010|

IT Project Hostile Emails to Wide Distribution Lists Previously, I offered insight and suggestions on the topic of reducing SAP project stress in a two-part series: Reduce SAP Project Stress: Part 1Reduce SAP, ERP, or Technology Project Stress: Part 2 In the Project Management Group on LinkedIn however, someone raised an interesting question that I have had to deal with on a few projects. They asked the following: “How do you respond to a senior project member who wrongly accuses yo [...]

SAP Implementation Focus: Engineer Software or Business Processes?
SAP Implementation Focus: Engineer Software or Business Processes?

SAP Implementation Focus: Engineer Software or Business Processes?

By Bill Wood|April 29th, 2010|

You have selected SAP as your software application-- now you move on to look for competitive bids from several software vendors to implement the system. You have a good understanding of the scope you want to address, but what do you look for and where do you begin? [FN1] Your Primary SAP Implementation Focus You can install SAP in your company through two primary ways: making your company fit the software, or making the software fit your existing processes. In other words, either you do a softw [...]

ERP Project Plan: Getting Real (Part 2)
ERP Project Plan: Getting Real (Part 2)

ERP Project Plan: Getting Real (Part 2)

By Steve Phillips|April 16th, 2010|

In many cases, the ERP project plan is not worth the paper on which it is printed. Worse yet, many project managers shoot themselves in the foot because they prematurely commit to a project schedule and budget that sets unrealistic management expectations. Once cast, expectations will not go away and only come back to haunt you later. Could this be one reason why many ERP projects fail? Even when the schedule and budget are formally published, many plans are quickly tossed out the window becaus [...]

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 [...]

From Collaboration to Innovation to Market – Toward a Working Model
From Collaboration to Innovation to Market – Toward a Working Model

From Collaboration to Innovation to Market – Toward a Working Model

By Bill Wood|March 9th, 2010|

Too often today, I see hype around various social interaction methods in the enterprise. Some companies even talk about internally adopting social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. Facebook, Twitter, and other social media outlets may provide tremendous outlets for interacting with customers, gathering market intelligence, or promoting your brand. However, they can be more destructive than productive. Collaborative initiatives without a specific business purpose are disasters waitin [...]

Changing the Direction of SAP, ERP, and IT Applications to Focus on the Customer and Innovation
Changing the Direction of SAP, ERP, and IT Applications to Focus on the Customer and Innovation

Changing the Direction of SAP, ERP, and IT Applications to Focus on the Customer and Innovation

By Bill Wood|February 19th, 2010|

This is the third part of an ongoing series about where the application technology market is today, including ERP vendors such as SAP and Oracle, and where the market is headed. The series provides insight on how to get ahead of the current trends and ride the wave that is building rather than getting swept away with it. The current business trends and market forces for technology will reward the swift and adaptable who are able to address the key business areas that have been lacking in the te [...]