Making the best of what you have
If you take a look at what has been published about digital transformation failure, it’s not surprising that spreadsheets are so prevalent. They literally are the band-aid to failure. Every company I have consulted with over the last 18 years has used them to fill the gap left by an unsuccessful ERP transformation.
Over those 18 years, I have worked with over 40 companies, and all of them have been reliant on spreadsheets. The other thing they have in common is all of them have an ERP system. All, in fact, have SAP. Now, I would like to add that SAP or your ERP system is not the problem.
In today’s complex supply chains, your ERP system should serve as the operational backbone, being used to increase efficiency, and enhance business performance. However, despite their significant investments in both time and money, all of these organizations only scratch the surface of their ERP’s full potential, using less than 35% of its capabilities. This under-utilization leads to inefficiencies, missed opportunities, and widespread frustration, leaving them questioning why their substantial SAP investments aren’t yielding the expected business performance improvements.
Why
It’s because business does not own the transformation and they abdicate responsibility to their SI and their IT teams. Following instead of leading. The truth is it’s not the technology it’s how business shows up to the party.
Now, let me clarify.
The missing puzzle piece is the business third of the implementation/supply chain transformation jigsaw, you know, the really important bit. All of these companies had been through implementations and ended up in the same place. They were all missing that last third.
How?
They don’t know what they don’t know.
They all did not know how to take control. They lacked the understanding of what is required to transform successfully.
The Missing Piece
There are a series of major steps that need to be included in the business part of a business transformation.
They all need to be done separately but at the same time.
The 5 Pieces Needed for True Transformation
Leadership, education, master data, adoption, and governance. When embarking on organizational transformations, leaders focus on what the change is. They include the why but rarely understand how to change. They also believe that they don’t need to be part of the change. The reliance is on ill-equipped execs and managers to undertake the change. Undertake being an appropriate word because it normally dies a death and fails.
Companies are tied down with institutional thinking. The way that it has always been done. Well, now it’s time to change the paradigm and to start thinking differently. Transformation is painful and business wants it to be easy – the diet pill. There is no diet pill, just hard work and commitment.
What’s Needed is a Way to Help Guide Business Through the Pain.
There is a Visionary three-phase approach that empowers businesses in a very practical way to turn their ERP investment into a business asset.
- Assess
- Transform
- Sustain
The first step is the Assess phase to address the challenge of “we don’t know what we don’t know”. This phase provides a benchmark as to where your organization resides on the Business Maturity® Continuum while providing a road map for improvement and a business case for change.
The Transformation phase consists of optimizing processes and data through education, utilizing or implementing standard SAP capabilities and establishing KPI’s to measure cross-functional performance.
Finally, the third phase, Sustain, is comprised of reinforcement, continuous improvement, and further education in the smart use of SAP.
By using the power of SAP’s integrated processes, standard functionality and actionable KPI’s to measure the improving performance at an individual level on a daily basis, organizations are able to achieve greater value from their investment in SAP.
It aligns the five pieces of the business jigsaw together in such a way that it breaks down silos and allows the five pieces to fit as they should in a perfectly integrated manner. Leadership, education, Master Data, adoption, and governance all work juxtaposed as one. Increasing efficiency and true line of sight using one system of record. A true business anchor.
To find out more visit: https://www.revealvalue.com/approach/ovo-methodology.
Testimonials
“I was fortunate to have the ability to work with David directly for a couple of years with the primary focus on optimizing our production planning and inventory management practices. David is certainly an expert in his field and understands how to utilize SAP to its fullest extent to optimize a business’s supply chain and inventory investment while also driving world class customer service levels. When he refers to Reveal methodology as an “unstoppable force” he is absolutely spot on”.
~Ian Eckman, Vice President of Integrated Supply Chain – GAF Commercial
“I’ve finished the book. I loved it. So much truth. Thanks for sharing with me.”
~ Geoffrey Jackson, Senior Director Process Services and Technology, Retired
“David is a proven and experienced supply chain professional. His focus on customer and organizational goals and as well as measurable outcomes was evident on a daily basis. He is a pleasure to work with as well and assimilates well into all teams he worked with. Also, I found David’s deep supply chain and SAP knowledge highly beneficial as we sought to optimize planning, sourcing and production execution processes. 5-stars all around!”
~ Mike Livermore, Director, U.S. Operations Systems, Retired
“David is a remarkable leader with a unique ability to engage deeply with complex challenges and translate them into practical, value-driven business solutions across the supply chain. His expertise goes beyond strategic discussions; he possesses the rare skill of translating high-level insights into actionable solutions within the SAP system. This enables companies to fully leverage their SAP investment, driving sustainable business outcomes and creating long-term value.”
~Christy Stokrp, Senior Director @ W. R. Grace & Co. | Global Supply Chain Transformational Leader
“At times early in the project, I felt you should be up in front of the room leading the discussions and the overall project. As I look back, I now agree 100% with your approach. You ultimately did the right thing because it ultimately made Moen lead this initiative.
You have an amazing way of “telling the story.” When you speak, people listen and you show very strong leadership. I dread the day that you leave Moen, but I think we will be in good shape – largely due to all of your hard work and mentoring. Thank you!”
~ Jeff Fox, IT Manager, Supply Chain and Quality Systems
“I have not had much time to read. Halfway through 4 definitely the details (weeds). I keep finding parallels to our company.
Our management team should read before S4 Hana , but their egos would get in the way.”
~ Anonymous, Senior Business Analyst
“David has the unique ability to share this management vision with his customers while at the same time providing the building blocks and skills operational teams need to achieve success. Combining David’s leadership with the Reveal oVo methodology makes for an unstoppable force!”
~John Bassi, Former Reveal oVo Integration Advisor S&OP Center of Excellence – Bio-Rad Laboratories
“For me what I learnt from you was how you taught planning folk how to align the system with the business, setting all the data correctly, deciding exactly what products were MTO/MTS etc, flowing through from SD, MM to PP and WMS managing by exception to correct the system daily in cross functional teams, that is special and unique and a gift to supply chain planners everywhere – use the force Luke!”
~David Christian, Global Business Transformation Leader
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with David Carroll as he guided us through a transformation of our use of SAP in our complex operations and supply chain, each with unique challenges. His expertise in SAP, and the Reveal Methodology, brought structure and efficiency to our processes, enabling us to use standard SAP, and achieve significant cost savings. The Reveal Methodology truly is an unstoppable force, driving tangible results by uncovering inefficiencies and optimizing workflows to achieve organizational targets. His insights and hands-on approach not only improved our systems but also empowered our teams with new skills and tools that served us long-term. I can confidently say his impact on our supply chain has been profound, measurable, and sustainable.”
~Andy Tylke, Supply Chain Manager, Project Manager, Loparex
“I am confident that this book will become an essential reference for supply chain professionals and business leaders alike. It is a testament to David’s expertise and dedication to advancing the field of supply chain management.”
~ Martin Rowan, Managing Partner & Co-founder, Reveal
“Wonderful read! The Only All-in-One Way to Fix Your Supply Chain should be required reading for all supply chain leaders that have an ERP system. This book has done an excellent job of laying out the transformational “must-knows” that most companies fail to recognize. They often chase fancy bolt-on solutions or additional software applications.”
“David does an excellent job of discussing what is possible using standard ERP functionality, moving away from environments that have significant “offline” or “manual” planning processes. David outlines the importance of executive leadership support and how each layer of management is expected to contribute to the transformation.
“Not only do I think this book is an excellent read, but I experienced what David outlines within the book. I was a supply chain leader who worked firsthand with David, using this methodology to transform a global supply chain. This process broke down silos within the supply chain organization and created efficiencies throughout our organization, especially shop floor efficiency and performance. We realized significant improvements in our enterprise Customer Delivery scores while also reducing inventory holdings by 40%, while utilizing standard SAP processes & transactions. It was not easy, but well worth the effort as the processes have consistently served as the foundation for that supply chain.
“Give this book a read and if your supply chain is in chaos, it will help you to understand how to regain control and transform your supply chain.”
~Brian Koester, Manager, Materials & Production Planning, Moen
