¶ Post-Implementation Review and Lessons Learned
Subject: SAP Change Management
Successfully implementing an SAP system or process marks a major milestone, but the journey doesn’t end at go-live. To maximize the value of the change and continuously improve future projects, conducting a thorough Post-Implementation Review (PIR) and capturing Lessons Learned are essential steps in SAP Change Management.
This article explores the importance of PIR, best practices for conducting it, and how lessons learned can enhance organizational maturity and project outcomes.
A Post-Implementation Review is a structured evaluation conducted after the SAP system or process has been deployed and stabilized. The purpose is to assess whether project objectives were met, understand what went well, identify challenges, and gather actionable insights.
In SAP Change Management, PIR focuses not only on technical delivery but also on how effectively users adapted to change, the quality of training and communication, and the impact on business processes.
- Validate project success against defined KPIs and goals
- Identify gaps in change management activities, training, and communication
- Capture user feedback to understand adoption levels and pain points
- Inform future SAP projects and organizational change initiatives
- Support continuous improvement in change management capabilities
¶ 1. Review Project Objectives and Outcomes
- Measure if the SAP solution met functional and business requirements
- Assess adherence to budget, timelines, and quality standards
- Compare actual benefits realized versus projected benefits
- Analyze user adoption rates and engagement levels
- Review effectiveness of communication strategies and training programs
- Assess how resistance was managed and overcome
- Conduct interviews or surveys with end-users, business leaders, and IT teams
- Identify pain points and areas of satisfaction
- Solicit suggestions for improvements
- Review system performance, error rates, and support tickets post-go-live
- Analyze the effectiveness of hypercare and ongoing support
- Ensure business continuity was maintained throughout the transition
- Capture successes to replicate in future projects
- Identify challenges and root causes to avoid recurrence
- Highlight best practices in change management and technical deployment
- Schedule the review within 1-3 months after go-live, allowing sufficient operational experience
- Engage cross-functional teams for a comprehensive perspective
- Use quantitative and qualitative data to provide a balanced assessment
- Facilitate open and honest dialogue to encourage constructive feedback
- Create a centralized repository for lessons learned accessible across the organization
- Incorporate findings into organizational training, methodologies, and future project planning
Lessons learned from PIRs are invaluable assets for evolving an organization’s SAP Change Management maturity:
- Improve change readiness assessments by understanding past resistance patterns
- Refine training materials and approaches based on user feedback
- Enhance communication plans for better clarity and engagement
- Optimize support models post-go-live to reduce downtime and user frustration
- Strengthen risk management by anticipating common transition challenges
The Post-Implementation Review and Lessons Learned process is a cornerstone of effective SAP Change Management. It enables organizations to validate success, recognize areas for growth, and embed continuous learning into their culture. By systematically reviewing outcomes and integrating insights, businesses can enhance future SAP initiatives, drive better adoption, and realize sustainable benefits.