Using SAP Solution Composer for SAP Scope – Process Alignment

By |February 28th, 2011|

If you haven’t noticed by now, I have always been a proponent of using the tools and resources SAP already provides. After all, why should you pay for developing things SAP has already invested in? Because of SAP’s huge installed base, lots of customers before you have tried these tools, and SAP has adjusted, changed, corrected, or modified them to improve their use and functionality. On top of that, if you manage to discover a defect or bug, as an SAP customer you can check OSS Notes to see if [...]

SAP Implementation Partner or Company Selection Criteria

By |June 5th, 2010|

Project success depends on an implementation partner's ability to ensure business transformation occurs. Can the SAP implementation partner or company deliver business process engineering together WITH the new system? Or, as with so many of them, do they just install systems and call that an implementation? Lately, I have been focused on developing a solid and repeatable ERP software and vendor selection process. While reviewing the academic literature and reflecting on my time working with SAP [...]

Aligning SAP Scope to Meaningful Business Requirements

By |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 and SAP Business Case for ROI, Business Benefit, and Success

By |November 23rd, 2009|

Your company’s SAP or ERP business case should start before your RFP, not just at a high level. Before ever issuing an SAP RFP, you need to take some time up front to get educated and develop some key understanding. Educated software buyers are more sophisticated in their research, and the more sophisticated you are, the better results you will receive. The more educated you are: The better the quality of the ERP RFI or RFP, The better choice you will make at vendor selection, The more objectiv [...]

Reduce SAP Project Stress: Part 1

By |August 25th, 2008|

  Expectation Setting As one of the most overlooked consulting and management skills, expectation setting can make the difference between a good job and a mess. Expectation setting is vital for both the person who is supposed to meet the expectation (the consultant or implementation vendor), as well as those setting expectations (the customer or project manager). During an SAP implementation, project-related expectation setting comes at many points and phases of the project. The team nee [...]

Effectively Scope Your SAP Project

By |May 17th, 2007|

Over the years, people have written hundreds of articles, documents, and warnings about scope setting, scope control, and scope management with ERP and IT projects. Project scope is one of the biggest ERP project risk factors. Yet, a project may lack practical insight on setting or managing scope. SAP provides all of the tools and resources to do the job correctly--even before an RFP is issued. Since the mid to late 90's, SAP has provided an extensive implementation toolset that many do not ful [...]