SAP Project Manager – SAP Program Manager, Lessons from the Trenches

By |July 25th, 2011|

This is a continuation of the previous post that addressed early requirements for good SAP project management (see Effective Results from SAP Project Managers – SAP Program Managers). SAP Project Management Responsibility Above all else, a manager’s primary responsibility is to ensure the success of those they are responsible for managing. Overall success of any initiative is directly tied to the success of those responsible for delivery of that initiative. This is especially true in fast-paced [...]

Effective Results from SAP Project Managers – SAP Program Managers

By |July 18th, 2011|

In all the years I have been involved with SAP, I have often puzzled about what creates a quality project rather than some of the horrors they call SAP projects. I have seen a few go really well, a few not so much, but most were mediocre. I have often asked myself “Why? What makes the difference between a good project and one that is nothing short of a mess?" One key item that stands out is project management. Even with the most talented and dedicated resources, bad project management can ruin [...]

SAP System Vendor Project Success Criteria & Factors 5

By |November 29th, 2010|

This is the final post in the series on SAP project shared success criteria. Doing this entire topic justice has been more of a challenge than I had originally anticipated. At some point, I will put it all together in a PDF e-book. This series leaves you with a lot to digest but over the years these items generally make up the foundations for a very successful project that is able to transform your business. This series has been challenging but interesting and I am glad it is complete. In a few [...]

SAP System Vendor Project Success Criteria 1

By |November 1st, 2010|

Using the success criteria table laid out in SAP Success Factors for Vender Selection Responsibility Matrix 2 as a starting point for shared SAP project success, we will look at some strategies, tactics, techniques, and ideas for managing these shared responsibilities. By more aggressively managing these shared SAP critical success areas, we can set the correct tone and expectation for the SAP project. [FN1] This series will look at the things you should expect from your SAP system vendor, and [...]

ERP Project Plan: Getting Real (Part 4)

By |June 17th, 2010|

Twelve Tips to Avoid an ERP Schedule Disaster In my previous blog entries, we established the need to develop a valid ERP project schedule as a tool to manage the project and set the right expectations (in terms of time and budget). The point is ERP planning is not about throwing darts to come up with dates or forcing a schedule to say what we want it to say. We can wish all we want, but a schedule should reflect project realities, and agreed upon planning assumptions. In addition, we previousl [...]

ERP Project Plan: Getting Real Part 3

By |May 13th, 2010|

  Let's develop a project schedule people can believe and support. After all, people are the ones who must make any schedule a reality. When it comes to ERP project planning, an aggressive schedule is not a problem. In fact, it is encouraged. However, if you do not strategically consider this schedule, all you will have is a plan to toss out the window. We must deal with the ramifications of unrealistic expectations. Edicts Do Not Always Work First, many falsely believe that when senior ma [...]