--- title: How to Manage Change Management Risk description: Learn SAP Change Control Risk Management techniques and deliver SAP Projects on time, on budget, and within scope using management consulting expertise. image: https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/hs-fs/file-16614261-png/images/super_stick_figure_pc_400_clr_4149.png --- ![](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/hs-fs/file-16614261-png/images/super_stick_figure_pc_400_clr_4149.png) # How to Manage Change Management Risk Table of Contents ## How To Manage Change In Project Management   If you work in [management consulting](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/sap-consulting-fi-co-mm-sd-pp-plm-bw-vora-hr-crm-scm-apo-ehs-grc-modules) as a [SAP Project Manager](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/enterprise-services/sap-industry-solutions/sap-project-management) working within one of the major [management consultancies](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/inbound-marketing/how-to-uncover-sap-services-opportunities), you probably know all there is to know about [change management risk](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/12-risk-management-considerations-to-measure-wricef-a).  However, if you are new to the [SAP Project Manager](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/how-to-build-a-sap-sem-bps-retail-industry-value-case) role, you will want to pay attention to this and even if you are experienced, you might pick up some useful pointers here.  ## The Change Control Process You Must Own Change Management, as a program, is often [sub-contracted out](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/inbound-marketing/what-do-sap-consultancies-do), usually to hit a [budgetary target](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/sap-change-request-template-change-management-asap-activate) during the contract negotiation process.  However, there is a secondary level of [change management](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/how-to-build-a-sap-sem-bps-retail-industry-value-case), specifically, the change control process, which cannot be [subcontracted out](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/inbound-marketing/field-report-from-a-marketing-project-manager), and that you will need to be aware of throughout your project, if you are to be successful. In this case, the [change management risks](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/sap-sem-cpm-risk-register-design-template) you are likely to have to manage is primarily about changes to the [SAP HANA system](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/how-to-improve-sap-profitability-management-the-ultimate-guide) itself.  As the PM, you will have to monitor and manage these changes, which are present on virtually every project (all of mine have had changes so far). ## Critical Project Change Control Questions You Must Ask and Have Answers To To do that, you will need to answer the following questions and have a plan on how to address the answers to these questions.  This is one of the critical areas to becoming a **successful SAP PM.** ![SAP Project Management](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/hs-fs/file-16614261-png/images/super_stick_figure_pc_400_clr_4149.png?width=96&height=219&name=super_stick_figure_pc_400_clr_4149.png)  **SAP Project Managers Must Manage Change **   - Is there a **formal change control process**? This means that you have a formal process, usually involving a template, at a minimum, that includes not only the requested change, but justification for the change, which may include meeting minutes, proposed alternatives, [effort estimations](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/how-to-estimate-your-sap-bw-project-durations), costing information, and other information you will need to evaluate whether the change is required, necessary and feasible given the [project cost](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/sap-grants-management), schedule and budget. - Does the Change Control Process **cover all changes** to baselined requirements, design, configuration, development and documentation? This is especially important to get right.  If you have a change control process [that makes note](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/5-kpi-design-best-practice-guidelines) of some changes, and not others, and only within a limited context of the project, you, as the Project Manager, will not be able to truly judge the progress of the project as you will be flying blind. - Is there **adequate analysis** when new requirements are added? By adequate, have you been able to get both a technical estimation from your consultant(s) to prepare the specific change and overall impact on the project timeline.  Remember, changes earlier in the project may cost less, but will have a magnified effect on project timelines.  - Are **test plans and procedures updated** as part of the change process? If you are using the test management portion of **SAP Solution Manager**, this is both easy and complex at the same time.  There is often an underlying structure to the planned testing, and as you progress up through the various levels of testing (there may be as many five different levels of testing on a typical project).  If you are using another test system, or worse, doing it manually, the processes and procedures required may require a higher degree of attention on your part.  ## Managing SAP Project Changes Can Be Complex As you can see, managing changes to the SAP software can be a [complex process](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/how-to-improve-sap-profitability-management-p2-the-ultimate-guide).   For the most part, these pointers, which form part of a larger [risk management approach](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/inbound-marketing/discover-project-managers-utopia-with-these-change-management-tips) to SAP projects, are meant to be brain ticklers.  You have to brainstorm, repeatedly, throughout the life of the project to actually identify, manage, and rollout changes to the [SAP performance improvement project](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/9-epm-sap-strategy-management-how-to-best-practices-to-implement-now).  Ideally, you will have a [risk manager](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/why-sap-value-management-is-the-key-to-unlocking-your-businesss-full-potential) available to bounce ideas off of and to explore areas that are not yet fully clear.   [![Request a SAP Project Manager](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/118735/c74f7063-2a16-4286-884e-9e2a51a1844f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/118735/c74f7063-2a16-4286-884e-9e2a51a1844f)   **Do you have Change Control Process Techniques you Like To Use?**     People Who Read This Also Read: - 1 Key Tip [When Upgrading](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/1-key-tip-when-upgrading-from-sap-bw-3-x-to-bw-7-x) from SAP BW 3.X to BW 7.X [Checklist]  - 10 Advanced SAP BW [Project Estimation](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/10-advanced-sap-bw-project-estimation-techniques) Techniques [Online Tool] - 10 [Critical Chain](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/10-critical-chain-project-manager-tips) Project Manager Tips - Top 10 Guidelines to [Choosing a SAP](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/top-10-guidelines-to-choosing-a-sap-partner) Service Partner - Understanding [Embedded Systems](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/understanding-embedded-systems-vs-sap-hana) vs SAP HANA - 14 Remote SAP [Consulting Mistakes](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/14-sap-remote-consulting-mistakes-you-don-t-know-your-making) You Don't Know You're Making - [Why You Need](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/why-you-need-functional-sap-consultants-on-a-sap-bw-project) Functional SAP Consultants on a SAP BW Project    Topics from this blog: [Best Practices](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/topic/best-practices) [Project Management](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/topic/project-management) [Consulting](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/topic/consulting) [Risk Management](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/topic/risk-management) [SAP ASAP Methodology](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/topic/sap-asap-methodology) [Risk Register](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/topic/risk-register) ### Download SAP BW Mindmap Learn what SAP Business Warehouse is and what it does in under five minutes [![Get this Mindmap](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/118735/8db2ad37-8211-47a3-86ae-09b6b2bb297b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/118735/8db2ad37-8211-47a3-86ae-09b6b2bb297b) [mailto:someone@yoursite.com](mailto:someone@yoursite.com) ### Lonnie D. Ayers, PMP About the Author: Lonnie Ayers is a Hubspot Certified Inbound Marketing consultant, with additional certifications in Hubspot Content Optimization, Hubspot Contextual Marketing, and is a Hubspot Certified Partner. Specialized in demand generation and sales execution, especially in the SAP, Oracle and Microsoft Partner space, he has unique insight into the tough challenges Service Providers face with generating leads and closing sales using the latest digital tools. With 15 years of SAP Program Management experience, and dozens of complex sales engagements under his belt, he helps partners develop and communicate their unique sales proposition. Frequently sought as a public speaker in various events, he is available for both inhouse engagements and ** remote coaching. ** ![Balanced Scorecard Consultant](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/hubfs/social-suggested-images/Balanced%20Scorecard%20Certified%20Graduate.jpg) He also recently released a book **"How to Dominate Any Market - Turbocharging Your Digital Marketing and Sales Results",** which is available on [ Amazon.](https://www.amazon.com/Dominate-Turbocharging-Digital-Marketing-Results/dp/1728357950/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&qid=1589182458&refinements=p_27%3ALonnie+D.+Ayers&s=books&sr=1-1&text=Lonnie+D.+Ayers)**** [View All Articles by Lonnie D. Ayers, PMP](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/author/lonnie-d-ayers-pmp) ## The SAP Blog Subscribe to our blog and receive SAP BW Updates, demand generation, inbound marketing, sales enablement, technology and revenue generation insights and ideas delivered right to your email. 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