Project Challenge

Define and document supply chain planning and transactional processes as well as roles & responsibilities to align with a major global SAP upgrade/implementation.

Solution

We worked with American and European client groups to drive definition of supply chain planning and transaction level processes to support the enterprise SAP upgrade/implementation. The scope included:

• Sales & Operations Planning
• Demand Planning
• Supply Planning (including MRP and Inventory Management)
• Procurement
• Distribution and Logistics
• Master Data Management

The work also involved definition of roles & responsibilities (RACI) for each process. Our work was closely coordinated with the Big 4 System Integrator who was doing the system level configuration for the various SAP modules. Our outputs of process definition (process flows, detailed description guides, and RACI charts) were used to define screen level procedures, configuration, and permissions needed by the ERP system.

In addition to the tactical elements as mentioned above, we defined several process improvements in each area, some of which were implemented, while others went on our maturity growth plan.

A Mature and Proven Methodology

Our approach began with the well-known Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) model which we adapted to build a tailored multi-level process model/catalog to support the client’s business model and specific needs. We then brought our best practice process templates to use as a starting point to jumpstart the process definition workshops with cross-functional client teams.

For each process effort/flow contained in the process model, we defined weak points of the current state and areas for improvement.

While process definition and execution is a certainly a major part, the management system around processes is how business performance is managed and improved. Toward this end, we evaluated the client’s related management system and proposed several suggestions related to meeting flow, design, and KPI management.

Outcomes

We exceeded our deliverable of the supply chain process definition and documentation to support the SAP project with the improvements and maturity growth path definition. In addition, we coached the client at executive through contributor levels to improve business performance and reach next levels of process excellence.