SAP prototype Archives - Innovate. Integrate. Transform. Run.

SAP Change Management Program Success
SAP Change Management Program Success

SAP Change Management Program Success

By Bill Wood|July 30th, 2012|

Lots of literature, information, and resources focus on change management for successful enterprise application projects. To address SAP change management, the SAP Activate Methodology provides resources, tools, and templates, along with guidance for Change Management during your SAP project. Even though the Activate methodology and various other resources provide some great information, the high-level guiding framework always seems to be somewhat vague. For example, businesses receive a consta [...]

Achieve Business Benefit Through SAP Prototype Demonstrations
Achieve Business Benefit Through SAP Prototype Demonstrations

Achieve Business Benefit Through SAP Prototype Demonstrations

By Bill Wood|July 16th, 2012|

SAP Conference Room Proof of Concept Pilots Proof of Concepts with frequent early prototyping drive project costs down. Consider the old saying: “an ounce of prevention can avoid a pound of cure.” Proof of concept pilots during the project are a rarely mentioned SAP critical success factor. Early in my SAP career, the disruption these prototype sessions, conference room pilots, etc. would cause used to frustrate me. My thought was, "I have a job to do and don't have time for this." No one ever [...]

SAP System Vendor Project Success Criteria & Factors 3
SAP System Vendor Project Success Criteria & Factors 3

SAP System Vendor Project Success Criteria & Factors 3

By Bill Wood|November 15th, 2010|

The other day, I made a post to SAP’s Community Network on how to ensure customers get the best SAP business software integrator for their money. One of the comments to that post suggested that I was advocating for customers using only SAP as their system integrator. In my response, I stated that my goal is to encourage SAP customers to get educated so they actually achieve value and ROI from their SAP business software projects. My response sums up why I started this site and what the posts he [...]

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 [...]

Striving for a Customer Focused Approach to Innovation 1 of 3
Striving for a Customer Focused Approach to Innovation 1 of 3

Striving for a Customer Focused Approach to Innovation 1 of 3

By Bill Wood|March 26th, 2010|

If your company does any kind of innovation, how would you describe it? Stoic – slow, plodding, methodical, and generally consisting of small incremental improvements (minimalist). Stretch – evaluating current as well as future needs and wants of the customer with some structured framework for achieving a future state (striving). Maelstrom – creative “free-for-all,” sky’s the limit, and a “no holds barred” barrage of brainstorming and chaos (directionless). The Common Approach to Innovation, Ge [...]

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 [...]