4. Working in Silos: Limited or no access to SMEs, Configuration Team

Since SAP is integrated and a change in one of its components can have a cascading effect on other aspects of the software it is often the case where the various SAP teams need to collaborate with one another.

This concept seems mundane and at first hand easy to grasp. But due to internal politics, deadlines, budget constraints, etc this concept is ignored and overlooked. When collaboration falls through the cracks the various SAP teams (configuration, RICE, Basis, testing, infrastructure, data, etc) start working independently in isolation or in a silo.

I have been in projects where the testing team members who arrived during the middle of the realization phase have been unable to get support from the SAP configuration team members and SMEs for drafting test cases, peer reviews, and sign offs.. In other projects the QA and testing team are almost considered a “bother”, “nuisance” to the other SAP teams.

The test manager and PM need to foster an environment of cooperation among the testing team and the various other SAP teams for the successful completion of testing artifacts and testing cycles.

Please note: All contents hereby presented are copyrighted material from Jose Fajardo.  Copyrighted 2002. All rights reserved. Must obtain permission from Jose Fajardo to reproduce, disseminate or publish this article. Email: jfajardo@octanesystems.net