How Project Management assured SAP S/4 HANA success for mining company

Our client identified that external Project Management support was required to deliver multiple ICT projects across various vendors and programs.

As such, the NRI Team was appointed to establish and operate its Project Management Office (PMO) function and roll out the full scope of the ICT transformation strategy.

Using our PMO support services which were aligned to our clients existing Project Delivery Framework and supplemented by NRI’s extensive experience working within the Mining and Construction sector, gave our client the ability to discover, define and improve operations tailored to its specific organisational needs.

We provided our client with a framework for governance, centralising the allocation, management, and overview of fundamental project data points throughout the project cycle, and provided access to information and advice to steer projects through unforeseen risks and challenges of implementation.

The journey to SAP S/4HANA

For the SAP S/4HANA project, we accompanied our client’s Project Managers through the 12-month interim and release stages, transitioning from an on-premise to a cloud-based solution.

We also worked alongside our client’s Project Managers on key activities including:

• Strengthening the PM capability for compliance within the Project Delivery Framework.
• Benefits tracking and management enhancement.
• Power BI status reporting and dashboard modification.
• Standardising the approach to risk, issues and dependency management.
• Conducting soft skills sessions for improved teamwork, delivery, and communication.
• Establishing processes for on/off boarding of ICT Portfolio resources.

These activities improved transparency and the oversight of project processes and stages, reducing confusion, streamlining key information within key locations, and strengthening insight into project decision making.

Along with a PMO uplift supporting ongoing and future IT projects, our Team played an instrumental role in the successful SAP S/4 HANA Cloud roll-out helping to achieve the following business outcomes:

Efficient Business Processes
Our PMO Services helped to ensure all business processes were streamlined and optimised during the implementation project. By following standardised project management practices, we were able to identify bottlenecks, understand requirements, and define clear workflows, resulting in efficient and effective business operations.

Effective Resource Management
A key issue for our early on was the effective management of resources. Our PMO Services helped resolve this issue by identifying the skills and competencies required for the project team and assigning tasks accordingly. This ensured that the right people with the right expertise were working on the project.

Timely Implementation
Our Team, in collaboration with our client, provided structure and discipline throughout the implementation process, helping to meet project goals within the defined timelines and ensuring an on-time go-live with minimal disruption to business operations.

Stakeholder Alignment
Strong project management fosters effective communication and collaboration among key stakeholders, including business users, business analysts, and project team members. Our services ensured regular updates and transparent reporting was provided consistently throughout the journey, helping to align everyone’s expectations around project goals and scope.

Continuous Improvement
The overall PMO uplift internally allowed for continuous improvement throughout the implementation. Looking ahead, our client has the capability to adapt and extend the standard functionality of SAP S/4 HANA, further optimising business processes and driving business transformations.