Mastering S/4HANA Implementations with an SAP Expert

In this article, I am excited to share insights from my recent Journey to S4HANA podcast interview with Jocelyn Hayes , an expert in the SAP community. Jocelyn has an impressive career spanning nearly 30 years, during which she's navigated the complexities of SAP implementations, business transformations, and technology's impact on organizations. Her journey, which began as an engineer at IBM, has provided her with a wealth of knowledge that we can all learn from.

In addition to my summary of the conversation below, you also can watch my complete podcast interview and episode here:

Jocelyn's Background and Career Path

Jocelyn's career began at IBM, where her first project involved SAP training and implementation. This initial exposure set the foundation for her extensive experience in the SAP domain. She then worked with one of the Big Four consulting firms on SAP implementations across various industries, followed by a role at a company focused on project team training and user readiness. Her journey then took her to a boutique advisory firm, where she delved into the business side of technology and business transformations. Four years ago, she started her own firm, providing trusted advisory services around SAP projects.

The Move to S4HANA: Clients and Challenges

As companies transition to S4HANA, Jocelyn notes that the majority of her clients are existing SAP users, although new customers are entering the SAP ecosystem. The move to S4HANA is predominantly seen in large enterprises across industries like manufacturing, distribution, and retail.

One of the significant challenges for these companies is understanding the differences between legacy SAP products like ECC or R3 and the new S4HANA environment. The core functions of ERP systems remain largely the same, but S4HANA introduces capabilities such as AI integration, real-time data processing, and advanced data analytics. Companies must navigate the complexities of adopting these new technologies to fully leverage S4HANA's potential. For instance, a manufacturing company faced challenges integrating S4HANA’s AI capabilities into their workflows, but with careful planning and involvement of both IT and business leaders, they successfully implemented the system and now benefit from predictive maintenance and optimized production schedules.

The Role of Acquired Platforms in S4HANA Implementations

SAP has acquired several platforms over the years, including Ariba for procurement, SuccessFactors for HR, Concur for travel and expense management, and Hybris for CRM. Jocelyn emphasizes the importance of carefully considering the integration of these platforms with S4HANA. Implementing multiple systems simultaneously can increase project risk, complexity, and cost. Therefore, she advises clients to be selective and strategic in their approach, potentially phasing in additional systems over time.

For instance, a multinational corporation successfully integrated Ariba with S4HANA to streamline their procurement processes. By phasing the implementation, they minimized disruptions and ensured a smooth transition. Similarly, a healthcare provider implemented SuccessFactors to improve their HR processes, leveraging S4HANA's core functionalities while gradually introducing the new HR platform.

Business-Led Projects Are A Key to Success

One of Jocelyn's core messages is the importance of business-led SAP projects. Many implementation failures occur because projects are driven primarily by IT rather than the business side of the organization. For a project to be successful, it must be led by business leaders who understand the organization's strategic goals and can ensure that the technology supports these objectives.

Jocelyn advocates for having business representatives deeply involved in the project, from executive sponsors to program managers and end-users. This involvement should extend beyond initial planning and continue throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring that the solution aligns with business needs and delivers the expected value.

A large distribution company initially struggled with an IT-led SAP project, leading to misaligned priorities and unmet business needs. By shifting to a business-led approach and involving key stakeholders from various departments, they realigned project goals and successfully implemented S4HANA, achieving significant operational improvements.

Overcoming Common Implementation Challenges

Despite advancements in technology, many of the challenges faced during SAP implementations today are the same as those encountered decades ago. Jocelyn highlights several critical areas that organizations need to focus on:

1. Business Involvement: Ensure that the project is genuinely business-led, with active participation from business leaders and users. Establish cross-functional teams and encourage regular communication and collaboration.
2. Change Management: Build a strong change management plan that includes frequent communication and engagement with all stakeholders. This involves creating a detailed roadmap, providing regular updates, and addressing concerns promptly.
3. Master Data Management: Prioritize data governance and standardization to avoid data-related issues during and after implementation. Clean, accurate, and standardized data is crucial for the success of any SAP project.
4. Process Documentation: Document current processes to help both the business and system integrators understand how things are done today and how they will change in the future. This step is vital for identifying gaps, setting realistic expectations, and ensuring a smooth transition.

For example, a financial services company implemented S4HANA and set clear KPIs to measure the success of the project. These included improvements in transaction processing times, customer satisfaction scores, and cost savings. By tracking these metrics, they demonstrated the tangible benefits of the new system and secured buy-in from stakeholders.

The Importance of Measuring Success

Another critical aspect of a successful SAP implementation is measuring the project's success. Jocelyn advises clients to establish clear metrics for success before going live. These metrics should be communicated to all stakeholders to ensure everyone understands what needs to be achieved and how it will be measured. This approach not only helps in tracking progress but also in demonstrating the project's value to the organization.

For example, a financial services company implemented S4HANA and set clear KPIs to measure the success of the project. These included improvements in transaction processing times, customer satisfaction scores, and cost savings. By tracking these metrics, they were able to demonstrate the tangible benefits of the new system and secure buy-in from stakeholders.

Grow and Rise with SAP

Jocelyn also touched on SAP's Grow and Rise programs, which offer public or private cloud options supported by SAP. While these programs provide flexibility and starter packs for various solutions, Jocelyn cautions clients to evaluate their actual business needs carefully. Using too many components from the starter pack can increase complexity, so it's essential to focus on tools that meet specific business requirements.

For instance, a mid-sized manufacturing firm chose the Rise program and leveraged the starter packs to explore S4HANA's capabilities. By focusing on their core requirements and gradually expanding their use of additional tools, they achieved a smooth implementation and significant operational improvements.

Conclusion

In closing, Jocelyn's extensive experience and insights offer invaluable guidance for organizations embarking on their S4HANA journey. Her emphasis on business-led projects, change management, data governance, and careful planning aligns with the best practices needed to ensure a successful implementation.

For those interested in learning more about Jocelyn's work and her company, you can connect with her on LinkedIn or visit her website. As always, having a trusted advisor like Jocelyn or the team at Third Stage Consulting Group in your corner can make a significant difference in navigating the complexities of SAP implementations and achieving your business goals.

Thank you for joining us on this Journey to S4HANA podcast episode. Stay tuned for more expert insights and advice on future and past episodes, which you can watch here .