Exploring the role of a SAP functional consultant

SAP technology is inadvertently simplifying the way enterprises function. With tailor-made solutions for enterprises irrespective of size, employee numbers, and the type of industry, SAP's ERP software ensures that your business is armed with the right set of functionalities and tools. SAP's foray into cloud technology has doubled the enterprise efficiency by saving enormous time & money and providing immense job opportunities in the sector. The growing demand for professionals as SAP functional consultants and for SAP basis jobs in USA is a great indicator of why SAP professionals are valuable and the most sought after IT professionals. This article explores a SAP functional consultant's role in detail and offers a sneak-peek into ASAP methodology's various phases.

SAP functional consultant: An overview of the job role

A SAP functional consultant plays a bridging role between the development team and the clients, responsible for transforming business logic into an algorithmic and abstract business model. He identifies the business use cases and ensures that the system reacts as expected. The consultant documents the settings and the guidelines and are given to other consultants who make appropriate repairs and amendments in the system. The consultant is responsible for the end-to-end implementation of the system by ensuring that it is user-ready and that business logic is intact. During the system's live implementation, the functional consultant assists the technical staff and guarantees a smooth operation after they go live. In short, a SAP functional consultant is a knowledge provider who trains, assists, and proposes improvements in the system. Here is a quick summary of the key responsibilities of a SAP consultant.

1. Generates knowledge: A functional consultant studies the business process and designs the business flow. He prepares DFD and flowcharts.
2. Documentation: He is responsible for documenting each process in categories and pre-defined templates.
3. Mapping and GAP analysis: Mapping, configuration, and Gap analysis is done simultaneously with implementations.
4. To be document: A to-be document that involves DFD/ERD is prepared before the configuration.
5. Test scripts: The consultant also prepares test scripts to test the configured scenarios.
6. Training and manuals: Functional consultants prepare user manuals and are also expected to train the users.

Once the functional consultant is ready with the documents, the project kick starts after a formal meeting that decides the team, responsibilities, reporting system, methodology, schedules, and dates.  ASAP (Accelerated SAP) methodology is a SAP implementation method widely used across enterprises and is one of the best-recommended methodologies for SAP basis jobs in USA. Here is a sneak peek into the various phases of ASAP methodology.

A preview of five phases in ASAP methodology

Project preparation: This phase comprises the initial preparations and planning of a SAP project. 

Business documentation or blueprint: This stage intends to gather information pertaining to various business processes. The information is documented during the requirement gathering meetings and workshops. The document defines how the company intends to implement and run business with SAP. 

Implementation or realization: The business processes are implemented according to the business blueprint. The system configuration is done as two work packages: Baseline and Final configuration. 

Final preparation: Final preparation involves preparing the system before it goes live. This normally involves system management, testing, end-user training, and cutover activities. 

Going live and support: In this phase, the project moves from the pre-production environment to the live stage.

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