What is the typical role of SAP Functional Consultant?

What is the typical role of SAP Functional Consultant?

Every candidate who is considering Career shift to SAP has an anxiety about role of SAP Functional Consultant. Many of them are having Functional experience as part of their career and want to understand what they will be doing post SAP training & Career shift to SAP. The role of SAP Functional Consultant will vary based on the type of project he is working. The Project may be SAP Implementation, SAP Support (post implementation), Upgrade, Roll out etc….

I have given below the responsibilities of a SAP Functional Consultant for SAP implementation project. These will vary based on Project size, scope etc. but I have tried to cover the main responsibilities.

• Provide expert advice on SAP functionality. The Consultant is supposed to be expert in his SAP module and should be able to provide in detail the functionality available in SAP. He should advice customer on how to use the best business processes as provided in SAP.
• Collect & analyze customer requirements on the following:
  • Business processes and parameters: This is important for business processes to be covered in SAP and compile the various parameters required for subsequent Configuration.
  • Assist in data transfer mapping: Data is required to be transferred to SAP from the legacy systems (e.g. Master Data like Material Master, Customer/Vendor master etc..)
  • Determining reporting requirements: Standard SAP Reports and any Customized Reporting required.
• Determine printed forms requirements
• Suggest solutions to customer based on best business practices so that Customer gets Business benefits by following these SAP processes.
• Assist in the development of business process descriptions
• Conduct implementation & training workshops: This is particularly required for SAP Power users and then guidance for end-user training. Most of the implementations follow ‘Train the Trainer’ approach..
• Provide guidance on end-user documentation.
• Provide guidance on test plan. : How to test SAP functionality for the required Business processes and ensure that all scenarios are covered.
• Conduct unit tests based on customer defined scenarios
• Coordinate with other module SAP Consultants for Integration requirements.
• Provide Functional Specifications to Technical team for any Customized developments..