Achieving ROI from SAP Project

  • 27 May 2015
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Implementing best SAP solution is not the end of the road. Maximizing its potentials what every manager desires. Most team members focus mostly on realizing successful projects but very few are concerned with getting Return on Investment. There are companies who invest thousands, even millions of dollars to get the best possible SAP solution. Since so much money is being spent, it wouldn’t be too much to ask of the companies to place equal focus on driving ROI for SAP implementation.

A primary reason of project failure is not keeping a check on the budget.Projects may end up costing more than expected or they may get stalled due to insufficient funds. However, failure of a project can be assured if a company is unable to realize its defined business goals and benefits in the first place.With that failure, hopes of getting ROI can be squashed. SAP B1 partners list out some ways to maximize ROI.

  • Focusing more on the team working on SAP rather than the technology itself

Implementing the best of technology would not mean anything if people don’t know how to use it effectively. Of course it is advisable to keep abreast with technological developments and having knowledge of what would work for your company and what wouldn’t. It’s advisable to develop plans targeting organizational change management and business process re engineering along with concerned employees. Include the related team at all stages and make the transition smooth for them. If they are comfortable using the solution at hand, solution will be optimized and ROI can be achieved soon.

  • Set a high bar for SAP implementation

Would you buy the fastest car and drive it at a speed of just twenty miles per hour? Of course not! Then why would you implement the best SAP B1 implementation services and set low expectations from them. Several managers cite fear of failure as the main reason for not wanting to try something new. This attitude would affect different aspects of the project. Set high expectations from the implementation. This in turn would compel the team to come out with innovative ideas and techniques that could help take the business to the next level. Remember that low expectations yield mediocre results, while high expectations would invariably yield effective and successful projects.

  • Making right estimations for required cost and time

It is rightly said that in business,time is equivalent to money. You can expect ROI only when the project is successfully completed in specified time. Several SAP B1 implementation services may not require the same amount of time, effort and money for executing. Never underestimate the cost and time that would be required for the implementation. Ask your vendors about estimated variables so that you have a clear idea when you can have a finished and successful project. Set realistic deadlines and keep communication channels transparent at all times. Make estimations on what would work for your organization and don’t base them upon vague assumptions or just because it worked for your competitors.

  • Keep one eye on your long term goals

SAP implementations should have the ability to evolve with changing times. Keeping one eye on long term alignment of the new SAP solution with your business goals would be beneficial. Focusing just on the short term goals would ensure smooth functioning just for a limited time-frame. Eventually, there will be misalignments between business objectives and the implemented solution. One way to solve this would be keep the SAP solution as the focal point and constantly improving the system so that it responds to your business goals appropriately. This keeps the solution relevant and effective for longer term.

SAP B1 partners suggest following these techniques to justify your investment and achieving ROI-driven projects. Don’t push the software too hard as expecting more than what the system can offer would result in disappointment. If things are not going the way you want, take a step back, re-assess everything on your plate and take the next step while keeping both ROI and success of the project as a priority.

Nidhi Batra

About the author

Nidhi Batra is a marketing and brand communication professional with 10 years of experience working in the dynamic B2B marketing environment. She strategizes, writes, reviews a variety of content for demand generation and sales support activities. Having a Master’s in English from Delhi University, she knows how to navigate her readers on insightful journeys with her SAP published blogs and thought leadership content.