S/4HANA Change Management Challenges
In stark contrast to the wave of SAP customization that was common over the past two decades, S/4HANA introduces standardized out-of-the-box implementations that are based on industry best practices.
Though upgrading to S/4HANA is faster and easier than prior SAP upgrades, it is inaccurate to assume that S/4HANA requires a scaled-down Change Management program as well. The fact is, S/4HANA requires a greater emphasis on Change Management than any prior upgrade.
Employees who have mastered custom SAP processes in the past are often hesitant to adopt new ways of doing their jobs. Some may resist the change and fail to learn the new processes, putting the migration at risk of failure.
Consider:
- “Poor end-user adoption is the #1 reason for failed implementations.” – AMR Research
- “Untrained users often ignore, misuse, or under-utilize new technology.” – Gartner Group
- “Untrained users require 3 to 6 times more support than trained users.” – Gartner Group
The fact is, successful SAP S/4HANA migrations demand much more than just a technology implementation and technical shift. They demand proven Change Management programs that prepare people across all facets of an organization to embrace new, standardized processes and entirely new ways of doing their jobs.