Upgrading to SAP S/4HANA can be a game-changer for your organisation, but it's not without challenges. 

Transitioning from SAP's previous versions to a new platform can be complex and time-consuming. It requires careful planning, preparation, and execution. 

However, with the right approach, there are many great benefits of S/4HANA, including real-time insights, improved business processes, and increased efficiency.

One crucial element often overlooked during the upgrade process is the importance of end-user training. 

In this blog post, we'll explore why end-user training is critical to successfully upgrading to S/4HANA. We'll also look at how it can help your organisation achieve maximum ROI from your investment. 

Whether you're considering upgrading to S/4HANA or are already in the process, our goal is to provide useful advice to help you upgrade with confidence.

Let’s get started.

The importance of involving end-users early in the upgrade process

When upgrading to SAP S/4HANA, involving end-users early in the process can make a big difference in the success of the upgrade. 

End-users are the ones who the changes will directly impact. That's why their input and feedback are crucial to creating a training program that will help them navigate the new SAP landscape.

Start by identifying key users from each department. These power users can act as SAP consultants for other users in their specialist departments. They can also provide feedback on the following:

- The upgrade's pain points

- Ideas to improve it

- The best ways to train their teams (e.g. video tutorials, in-person sessions)

- What level of training is needed

You can also conduct surveys, focus groups, or one-on-one interviews to gather information on how your employees feel about the final product.

Once you have collected feedback from end-users, use it to inform your SAP training strategy. 

Identify the most important areas for end-users to understand and ensure your training materials thoroughly cover these areas. 

This will help employees feel more confident in their SAP end-user jobs and reduce the likelihood of errors or confusion.

Best practices for creating engaging training content 

To create effective training for a S/4HANA upgrade, ensure the content is interesting and useful. This will help users stay focused during training and use the new system correctly.

Here are some best practices to follow when designing your training content:

- Start with an assessment: Assess your end-users' current skill levels and identify any knowledge gaps. Use this information to tailor your training content.

- Keep it simple and concise: S/4HANA is a complex system, but your training content doesn't have to be. Keep your content simple and concise. Focus on the most important and frequently-used features of your new SAP system.

- Use real-world examples: Incorporate real-world examples and scenarios to help each SAP end-user understand how S/4HANA works in the context of their day-to-day tasks.

- Provide hands-on practice: Offer plenty of opportunities for hands-on practice, so your end-users can get comfortable using the new system in a safe environment.

- Leverage multimedia: Use multimedia tools such as videos and interactive modules to keep each SAP end-user engaged and help them retain information.

- Tailor the content to your organisation: Ensure your S4/HANA training content is tailored to your organisation's specific needs. Consider the roles of your end-users and focus on the features and functions most relevant to their jobs.

How to deliver SAP training that maximises user adoption and retention

Effective SAP training delivery is critical for ensuring end-users retain the knowledge and skills they need to succeed after an upgrade to S/4HANA.

Here are some tips for delivering end-user training in a way that maximises retention and drives user adoption:

- Incorporate hands-on exercises: Hands-on exercises effectively reinforce learning and give end-users practical experience using the new SAP modules. 

- Use real-world scenarios: To make the training relevant to end-users' daily work, use real-world scenarios and examples in your training content. This helps users develop advanced knowledge on how to apply the new skills to their daily tasks.

- Provide ongoing support: SAP S4/HANA training doesn't end once the upgrade is complete. Provide ongoing support to every SAP end-user to reinforce learning and answer any questions. 

- Make training accessible: Ensure that training is accessible to all users, regardless of their learning style or ability. Consider offering multiple training formats, such as virtual sessions, e-learning modules, and in-person training with a SAP consultant.

- Set clear goals: Establish goals and metrics for success before implementing your training program. This will help you determine how effectively the program achieves its intended outcomes.

- Analyse performance data: Track end-user performance data before and after the training program to measure its impact. Look for changes in user behaviour, efficiency, and productivity.

- Review support requests: Review the number and type of support requests after the training program. Are there any trends or patterns that suggest areas where users may need additional training? Enlist the help of super users or a SAP support consultant to help with these training gaps.

- Continuous improvement: Use the feedback and data collected to improve the training program. Regularly update S4/HANA training materials and delivery methods to remain relevant and effective.

By using these strategies to measure the effectiveness of your own end-user training program, you can identify areas for improvement and ensure that your organisation is continuously improving its end-user training for each core team member.

Key Takeaway

Upgrading to SAP S/4HANA is a significant decision for any organisation. End-user training is critical to ensuring a successful transition.

Involving users early in the upgrade process, designing engaging training content, and delivering training to maximise user adoption are all essential components of an effective training program.

With the right approach to end-user training, your company can upgrade with confidence and reap the benefits of this powerful platform.

Partner with RED for a smooth S/4HANA migration

At RED Global, we understand that upgrading to SAP S/4HANA can be complex and expensive. 

We specialise in providing comprehensive end-user training for SAP S/4HANA upgrades. 

Our SAP consultants can help your company create and deliver engaging training content that will equip your employees with the skills and knowledge they need to maximise the benefits of your upgrade.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you upgrade to S/4HANA with confidence.