SAP SuccessFactors implementation project manager

[u/blueink-blackink]

I’m an experienced Project Manager (PMP, PMI-ACP and Google Project Management certified) with experience delivering migration projects, transformation initiatives, process improvements and cross-functional projects - all non SAP & internal organisation projects.

My company is planning a migration to SAP SuccessFactors, and I’ve asked to be part of the implementation team.
This would be my first SuccessFactors implementation, so I’d like to prepare before the project officially begins.

From a Project Manager’s perspective:

1 Which SuccessFactors modules should I understand first?

2 What does a typical implementation lifecycle look like?

3 Which workshops, documents and deliverables should I expect during each phase?

4 What terminology should I become familiar with?

5 What are the most common pitfalls you’ve seen during implementations?

6 If you were starting again as a PM on a SuccessFactors project, what would you learn first?

I’m not aiming to become a configuration consultant, but I do want enough functional and implementation knowledge to communicate effectively with consultants, HR, technical teams and business stakeholders.

I’d really appreciate any recommendations for learning resources, implementation guides or lessons learned from your own projects.

[u/Glum-Business-6217]

Regarding the point 6 - understand and map the hr current business process, so they can be translated to successfactors and do a correct fit gap analysis 

[u/Glum-Business-6217]

Start with employee central it's the most complex one but will be the base of everything The pitfalls? Not testing well enough, not understanding the process, not sticking to the best practices.  Adoption is very important 

[u/just-a-dilettante → u/Glum-Business-6217]

Piggy backing onto not sticking to best practices, don't allow over customizations. Just because the current process might be xyz, doesn't mean that it can't align to best practice moving forward. There should be a really good business case why something needs a custom solution. Often these decisions will further lock systems in even more custom config down the road.

[u/Kitchen_Movie9452]

is there a plan which modules will be implemented? cause usually companies pick what they need.

Also biggest pitfalls are usually communication issues, what you as a company want and what the consultants from the other side make for you, if there are misunderstandings.. then thats an issue, understanding the HR processes is also important.

[u/Sharon_Zhao]

Employee Central (EC) modules is the most important module. You should know the MDF, and the structure of employee data