COO Archives - Innovate. Integrate. Transform. Run.

Technical Debt Management IS People Management
Technical Debt Management IS People Management

Technical Debt Management IS People Management

By Bill Wood|March 3rd, 2021|

Many organizations face a major hidden obstacle with technical debt: people management for those who have a vested interest in the complexity and customization. They have established their careers on building and feeding this technical debt. As a result, they perceive removing that technical debt as a direct threat to their job stability. The change resistance and people issues slow, or in some cases prevent, badly needed changes-- even before making the transition to Digital Business. [...]

Agile Project Methods for SAP ERP Projects?
Agile Project Methods for SAP ERP Projects?

Agile Project Methods for SAP ERP Projects?

By Bill Wood|October 29th, 2012|

Looking at the "Agile Manifesto" and how Agile methods have been applied generally involves small, discrete, "digestible" work and task components. Juggling the number and complexity of dependencies on a full-scale SAP ERP project involves management and coordination efforts, which completely go against the idea of pure Agile methods. ====== ERP projects tend to have too many moving parts and dependencies for Agile, as the methodology provides too little control and coordination. The level of c [...]

ERP vs. ERP II vs. ERP III Future Enterprise Applications
ERP vs. ERP II vs. ERP III Future Enterprise Applications

ERP vs. ERP II vs. ERP III Future Enterprise Applications

By Bill Wood|May 31st, 2010|

ERP I, ERP II, & ERP III Abstract ERP applications integrate enterprise operations within and across enterprise legal entities, or company codes. ERP ii (or ERP 2) applications extend supply functionality to external enterprises (generally vendor-affiliated companies or enterprises) to reduce cost, improve supply chain efficiency, and perform collaborative innovation. ERP iii (or ERP 3) enterprises go to the next level as they integrate the ERP and ERP ii functionality to include customers [...]

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 [...]

What Is the Proper Relationship for the CIO, CEO, and CFO?
What Is the Proper Relationship for the CIO, CEO, and CFO?

What Is the Proper Relationship for the CIO, CEO, and CFO?

By Bill Wood|February 8th, 2010|

The CIO role in business has been changing almost as quickly as technology itself. In the past focusing on business processes and automation was enough to satisfy the business needs for operational excellence. As long as they did so successfully, the CIO received carte blanche, often having large budgets and significant latitude in applying them. However, those days are quickly fading. Today, many IT departments and IT organizations are becoming internal vendors to internal customers with “char [...]

SAP, ERP III, SOA — The Learning Organization
SAP, ERP III, SOA — The Learning Organization

SAP, ERP III, SOA — The Learning Organization

By Bill Wood|April 27th, 2007|

SAP Knowledge Management Introduction In the technology and business sectors, people are surrounded by buzzwords: ERP, SAP, SOA, you name it. However, these acronyms simply describe ways companies leverage technology for competitive business advantage. The systems are designed to reduce costs, streamline operations, increase revenue, and transform your organization [1]. Since ERP applications such as SAP have entered the business world, enterprises have struggled with one area: capturi [...]