Next Move: SAP Consultants Choose Wisely

By Valeri Wickersham
Director of Human Resources, Optimal Solutions Integration, Inc.

What project or module should I tackle next? This is the question all SAP consultants must carefully consider on a regular basis if they wish to stay at the top of their game. In connection with this: What modules command the biggest bucks today? What projects will keep me in strong demand over the next 2, 3 and 5 years? And lastly, how can I leverage the experience I have in one particular SAP module to create an opportunity with another, high-demand SAP module?

Today’s dynamic consulting market makes it vital for SAP consultants to make smart, proactive career decisions. Below is a selection of key points consultants can steer by as they think through which career-advancing projects and modules they should tackle next.

Build on a skill set

In most cases, deciding which SAP module to hone in on is not simply a stab in the dark. An established SAP consultant has worked hard to gain experience with a particular piece of SAP technology, and it is from this area of expertise that he should chart his next move.

Documented and referenceable experience is vital to success, and SAP consultants are well served to pursue training and select projects with an SAP module that builds on their existing skill set. For example, an experienced SAP FI (finance) consultant can broaden his knowledge base and market value by expanding into SAP CO (controlling) or SAP SEM (strategic enterprise management). Many SAP PP (production planning) consultants have built on their skills by pursuing training in SAP APO (advanced planning optimization). And a growing number of SAP SD (sales distribution) consultants are finding SAP CRM (customer relationship management) a natural (and profitable) extension of their skill sets.

Avoid complacency, stay on top of latest releases

The needs of SAP customers change quickly, and an SAP professional cannot become complacent. While it’s certainly advantageous to have 5+ years of experience with a specific SAP module, ignoring chances to get exposure to the latest releases can lead to unwanted bench time. It behooves SAP pros to stay current with the latest and greatest versions of SAP and be able to explain the advantages to the client – in concrete terms.

Broaden business processes and industry expertise

Best-of-the-best SAP consultants bring together business know-how with the requisite SAP technical expertise. Sure, they understand technology, but their greatest value lies in their ability to understand complex, global business processes and the complexities inherent in these architectures.

The vast majority of business processes are industry-specific. SAP consultants are well advised to focus on a specific industry and master that industry’s prevalent business processes rather than ‘hop’ around different industries. Industries that are hot today and for the foreseeable future include public sector, retail and financial services.