IT Project Management Archives - Innovate. Integrate. Transform. Run.

Where Does Agile Fit in SAP Projects?
Where Does Agile Fit in SAP Projects?

Where Does Agile Fit in SAP Projects?

By Bill Wood|November 12th, 2012|

After offering insight based on my personal experiences around "Agile Project Methods for SAP ERP Projects?" I wanted to highlight a few areas where Agile does work: Design sessions Development efforts (i.e. coding) Data conversions Once you begin to move beyond these areas, you quickly encounter dependent workstreams that need much more coordination. Those additional dependencies make it difficult to apply Agile methods. While Agile tends to emphasize the one-week to one-month "sprint," I woul [...]

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 [...]

Why Use the SAP ASAP Methodology?
Why Use the SAP ASAP Methodology?

Why Use the SAP ASAP Methodology?

By Bill Wood|January 16th, 2012|

ASAP Methodology Background In the mid 1990’s, SAP had gained significant bad press and publicity around several high-profile project disasters that the company knew were completely avoidable. At that time Oracle, Baan, JD Edwards, and PeopleSoft all had salespeople making the case that SAP was too expensive, too complicated, and too time-consuming to implement. In response, SAP released the ASAP Methodology in the mid-late 90’s (around 1996 or 1997). R&D resources and efforts have since re [...]

SAP IT Governance, SAP Program Management, SAP PMO Metrics
SAP IT Governance, SAP Program Management, SAP PMO Metrics

SAP IT Governance, SAP Program Management, SAP PMO Metrics

By Bill Wood|January 9th, 2012|

On this forum, the most frequent response from the project and program managers was a call for independence. However, when I raised the issue of project or program manager accountability, metrics, performance, and avoidance of project messes, no one addressed the problem. Is it any wonder so many business application projects and programs get into trouble, go over budget, and exceed the allotted time when the individuals responsible for coordinating and evaluating them don't want clear accounta [...]

7 Tips for Effective Client Management of SAP Consultants
7 Tips for Effective Client Management of SAP Consultants

7 Tips for Effective Client Management of SAP Consultants

By Bill Wood|December 5th, 2011|

Over the years, the most successful SAP projects I have participated in had strong client side leaders. They had some knowledge and understanding of how to deliver large, complex, or difficult projects. Not just SAP projects, but large complex undertakings. Their ability to deliver projects came from their ability to manage, direct, and engage with project participants. They took the initiative to directly manage their own projects. Many of these leaders had something else in common. They under [...]

More SAP Project Leadership Tips for Managing Conflict
More SAP Project Leadership Tips for Managing Conflict

More SAP Project Leadership Tips for Managing Conflict

By Bill Wood|November 28th, 2011|

If you are determined to gain and then maintain SAP project momentum, you will see stress. Part of the requirement for momentum includes asking people to reach for stretch goals that can challenge (and deepen) their capabilities, but also cause tension and even conflict. One author says conflict is "a situation of competition in which the parties are aware of the incompatibility of potential future positions and in which each party wishes to occupy a position which is incompatible with the wish [...]