[133] in sapr3-soft
Re: Assessing Implementation Plan
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (sixmonkey@aol.com (by way of SAP M)
Wed Apr 9 08:27:17 1997
To: sapr3-soft@MIT.EDU
Date: 9 Apr 1997 08:21:16 -0400
From: sixmonkey@aol.com (by way of SAP Moderator <sixmonkey@aol.com>)
salmonfcl@ppp.nasionet.net (by way of SAP Moderator
<sap-request@realtimeusa.com>) writes:
>I would appreciate any hints or advice on how I could assess SAP
>implementation plan?
Overall, I wouldn't treat the proposals any differently then you would
those for any project. 1. Define your scope clearly. 2. Assess your
budgetary (personnel & cash) resources.
The right plan for you should match these criteria. If not, consider
changing your budget, scope or plan. Just because a third-party
implementer suggests changing the budget or scope does not
necessarily mean they are taking advantage of you.
An experienced SAP implementer knows what it takes to be successful. The
consultancy firms you are evaluating should provide someone with
implementation experience to answer your questions during
negotiations. If the only people you are dealing with are "salesmen" be wary.
>I am evaluating proposals by two SAP logo partners.
Do not be fooled by statistics stating how many certified people the firm
has. This only means that they have completed a 5 week course. It is no
guarantee of skill.
Do not be fooled by references. They may not be SAP clients of the firm.
Do not get caught up in the methodology. All successful firms have one.
The primary factor in these proposals determining whether or not your
project will be a success or not is near the back - the resumes.
Expect that the proposal will be chock full of resumes of the strongest SAP
consultants in the firm. However, this does not guarantee that those
specific people will be dedicated to your project.
Nor is it a guarantee that the consultants you will get will be as
qualified as those in the proposal. It also does not guarantee that the
consultants you do get will have access to those people
whose qualifications you've evaluated. Insist that you only see resumes of
the intended team. And if any promises are made about personnel - get them
in writing.
While it's impossible to assume a consultancy firm has a fully qualified
complete team sitting at home waiting to go to work for you, they will have
a pretty good idea of the majority of the key
players (project manager, functional area leads, basis support, etc.) that
will be assigned should the contract be signed.
You may also want to work with your local SAP office to determine which
partners in the area have the best sucess rate with the modules you intend
to install and/or in your industry.
I hope this helps.
Rob Petersen
Kelly - Levey & Associates (www.klainc.com)
606-282-8075
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