What Do You Think of SAP Project Management as a Consulting Niche?
I wanted to say, "not much," but that’s not very helpful. In truth, it depends. So let’s look at the different approaches to SAP project management. I’ll tell you which ones I think highly of and which I think are questionable.
Being a successful SAP project manager is tougher than hands-on areas because your options are more limited. For example, most hands-on consultants have the option of "going independent" at different points, and that provides more flexibility in terms of which types of positions to take.
So I don’t like SAP project management as an independent consulting niche. I also don’t like it as an end-user role. Let me be clear on this: most SAP projects have a "dual project management approach," with one project manager from an outside consultancy and one project manager from the inside. Sometimes companies try to do without the project manager on the inside, but that seems to be a problematic approach. In my recent podcast with Dan Lubin of Abiomed, he said that one of his biggest regrets on their project was not funding an internal project manager.
There’s one SAP project management career path that I do like, which is working as a project manager for a large (or small) SAP consultancy. Good SAP project managers can do very well working for a firm that has an established client base and methodology.
If you develop a track record of successful projects brought in on time and under budget, you can have a great career in this role — though I do find that most project managers in this situation eventually tire of the road and the long hours and look to leverage their reputation by moving into equity and/or practice lead roles.
The reader who asked me this question raised a couple of additional points. First, he asked whether project managers get scapegoated sometimes and whether this is a risk to consider. I would agree with that. I have definitely seen project managers scapegoated for projects that have gone awry.
Of course, these days, SAP projects tend to be more successful - companies have a much better handle on how to go about installing SAP, and SAP can now provide a battle-tested methodology companies can rely on. But there’s no question that project management can be a little like coaching a sports franchise: maybe you get too much credit when things go well, and too much blame when things go wrong.
Finally, our reader also asked me, "What are the traits of a good PM?"
As I have stated, I’m not sure that it’s easy to point to universally agreed-upon characteristics of great project managers. We could always go with that clich?��, "brings the project in on-time and on (or under) budget." That’s the ultimate criteria of success. I also feel that the best SAP project managers usually have a deep background in hands-on SAP work, either functional or technical, that informs their work and allows them to roll up sleeves as needed when team members are out of pocket or need additional support. They should also be good motivators, able to achieve the "buy in" of those who touch on the project from above and below.
But beyond those characteristics, what other traits define a good SAP Project Manager? That would be a good question for other JonERP.com members to comment on. For example, some project managers are expected to handle the financial management of the project, and others are asked to focus more on the technical timelines. So how important are the financial management skills? Perhaps it varies from project to project. And how important are general (non-SAP) project management certifications?
Here’s a list of a few more key traits I would look for in a good SAP project manager:
To me, those are the key traits, but I’m sure there are more. Perhaps JonERP.com members can add to this list.
September 4th, 2007 at 8:41 am...
Hi Jon,
I agree with your comment on not choosing SAP project management as a consulting niche, except with an SAP consultancy. But I do have to disagree about choosing project management as a consulting career, either as an independent or with a consulting company. I would highly recommend it as a career path.
Project management as a career has become very much a desired profession. I would refer you to PMI, Project Management Institute, for the latest in this area. In the past there was not much structure to the professionalism or training offerings. Not true today. The PMP certification (provided by PMI) is highly desired more and more.
I also believe the successful ‘project manager’ has more career and job options available than you might realize. During the last slow period of SAP consulting, I was able to very successfully manage several non-SAP projects. The fundamental skills required were easily transferrable, regardless of the software.
As always, it’s a pleasure to engage on your forums!
Regards,
Kent
September 4th, 2007 at 12:52 pm...
Kent, thanks for your comments. For those who don’t know, Kent has a great deal of success in SAP as a project management consultant amonst other things, so if I were you, I’d take his word as gospel if it conflicts with mine.
I certainly didn’t meant to imply that project management, inside and outside of SAP, is not a rewarding career path.
But when I think of Kent, I think of only a handful of really successful SAP project managers who have managed to enjoy this career path as an independent consultant. However, there’s nothing wrong with working for a consulting firm full time, and there are many successful SAP project managers who have taken that route.
Kent, if you stop by these forums again, would be great to hear your take on any good traits of SAP project managers I left off my list.
- Jon Reed -
September 17th, 2007 at 12:00 am...
Hi Jon,
For those who may be new to the project management profession, here are a few more traits to consider along with the great tips Jon advised you of:
1. Thick skin. Don’t take anything personal. You will survive longer and enjoy the work more.
2. Flexibility. It does not have to be your way or the highway. There are many compromises you can agree to that help make your team members be part of the team.
3. Ethics. There is one thing you never compromise on and this is a professional and ethical approach. You should always avoid even the appearance of improriety.
4. Have fun. If you cannot have fun, get a new job!
Regards,
Kent
September 18th, 2007 at 10:37 pm...
Hey Kent. Great stuff.
I would add to the thoughts that you and I already shared:
Choose your projects carefully. An SAP project manager has to take the overall business model and project goals more seriously than a hands-on consultant. A bad project situation has a way of sticking on a project manager’s resume longer than a hands-on SAP consultant. Fair or not, project managers will take a reputation hit in some cases when projects go awry.
For that reason, I think you can make the argument that if rate is the paramount concern for the hands-on consultant, the paramount concern for the SAP project manager must be quality of project. If it’s not going to be a winner on the resume, it doesn’t matter how well it pays, it could come back to haunt you.
- Jon Reed -