Difference in roles of functional consultant & Business Analyst

Hi All
What are the differences in the roles of business analysts & functional consultants in SAP? At which levels of organization hierarchy they fall?
Regards
Abhijeet

Hello Abhijeet,
To add on the comments Marilyn already posted, my experience at customer projects is that SAP Functional Consultants are more focussed on one subject matter/business domain like HR, CRM, Finance, SCM, SRM, etc. which are related to the functional modules SAP delivers. The business side of IT products as you can say. Good functional consultants know the details of that specific subject matter and are able to translate these to functional requirements for the implementation of the SAP module.
A Business Analist is a more generic role. Mostly found in the CIO office or at the Information Management part of a business division/unit. He/she translates more high-level business goals into concrete improvement programs and designs.
To make a very bold distinction: Business Analists more like are employees of the company trying to improve its business, where SAP Functional Consultants are hired from consulting firms to do their specific trick. Off course this not always is true, because roles are defined differently from company to company as Marilyn already stated.
I welcome anyone who likes to add comments on this view.
Regards, Edo

Similar Messages

What is ESOA? What is the Scope/Role for Functional Consultants in eSOA.

Hi Experts,
1)     Does eSOA is a tool, application or module?
2)     What is the relation between eSOA and ECC6.0?
3)     What is the Scope/Role for Functional Consultants in eSOA?
4)     What I have to learn in eSOA?
5)     How it is useful for Functional Consultant?
6)     How it is useful for Customers?
7)     How much time it will take to learn eSOA?
8)     Where can get the Material?
9)     What all technologies I have to learn before I learn to eSOA?
I am working as a SAP HR Consultant. If I want to learn eSOA what are the pre-requisites.
I donu2019t know anything eSOA.
Please give me the answers.
Regards,
Ram

Hi Ram,
See the answers below
> 1)     Does eSOA is a tool, application or module?
ESOA is not any tool,application or module. Its a methodology/Architecture
> 2)     What is the relation between eSOA and ECC6.0?
ECC 6.0 provides some Enterprises Services through enhancement packages.
> 3)     What is the Scope/Role for Functional Consultants in eSOA?
FUnctional consultant should know which ENterprise Serrvices are available and which should be developed to carry out a business process.
> 4)     What I have to learn in eSOA?
.         Being a technical guy, there are things to be learnt like ESR, implementing designed serivces through ABAP or Java and consuming it. But being a functional guy, only awareness of what enterprise services are available and what they do and their input/output params and how they can fit into a business process is sufficient.
> 5)     How it is useful for Functional Consultant?
see above
> 6)     How it is useful for Customers?
Customers can move towards Service Oriented Architecture, get flexibility in changing a business process easily, maintaince cost is less
> 7)     How much time it will take to learn eSOA?
depends on your skills
> 8)     Where can get the Material?
lot of material in SDN
> 9)     What all technologies I have to learn before I learn to eSOA?
ABAP or JAVA,ESR ( being a technical consultant) , Web Services
> I am working as a SAP HR Consultant. If I want to learn eSOA what are the pre-requisites.
you should aware of basics of service oriented architecture
If you further want to clear doubts, do write up.
Regards,
Piyush

Re : Roles of Functional Consultant in upgradation from 4.6b to ECC 6.0

Hi
I need the Roles of Functional Consultant and Technical Consultant in upgradation from 4.6b to ECC 6.0.
Thanks
Anto

Dear Anto,
In Technical SAP,Upgrade from 4.6 to 6.0- the role of any fucntional consultant would involved integrated with the technical Consultant.
The phase starts with the technical Patches apply to the latest stack level which will done by the BASIS Consultants.
Once the System preparation is happened, the next phase is with SPDD phase, Thru this transaction the dictionary Objects-Database elements, database tables and structures of teh latest system can be
compared with the old system.
This results in the version modification results between the old and New versions. During this phase the involvement of the Functional Consultant needed for the tech guy, to identify the functional chnages between the two version (Old and New). Which helps for him either to Reset to Original(ie., adopting the new one) or Adopt Modification in previous system(ie., adopting to older functionality)
Once this is done, the System Upgradation will be done by the BASI, the system will be replaced with new system. At teh end of this phase SPAU phase starts, which inturn reults with version difference in the field namely, Programs, Reports, Screens, Messages, Notes an Function Modules. Here too the involvement of functional consultant neede to determine either reset to original or to go with Adopt modification from the older design, as explained earlier.
At teh end of the, moreover the functional consultant role involved in testing the Entire processes and transactoin in the system for system dump and bugs, in necessity to correct teh same and results with nil errors in production client.
Also the Zprograms invloved in the older versions, needs to be examined for the actual need, and to be justified with adoption in the newer version or by adopting to the updated functionality in the newer version.
Hope this may give better clarity in the involvement of the Functional Consultant in the Updgrade project.
Njoy SAP
Regards,
-Saravanaganesh

Roles of Functional Consultant in upgradation from 4.6b to ECC 6.0.

Hi
I need the Roles of Functional Consultant and Technical Consultant in upgradation from 4.6b to ECC 6.0.
Thanks
Anto

In Technical SAP,Upgrade from 4.6 to 6.0- the role of any fucntional consultant would involved integrated with the technical Consultant.
The phase starts with the technical Patches apply to the latest stack level which will done by the BASIS Consultants.
Once the System preparation is happened, the next phase is with SPDD phase, Thru this transaction the dictionary Objects-Database elements, database tables and structures of teh latest system can be
compared with the old system.
This results in the version modification results between the old and New versions. During this phase the involvement of the Functional Consultant needed for the tech guy, to identify the functional chnages between the two version (Old and New). Which helps for him either to Reset to Original(ie., adopting the new one) or Adopt Modification in previous system(ie., adopting to older functionality)
Once this is done, the System Upgradation will be done by the BASI, the system will be replaced with new system. At teh end of this phase SPAU phase starts, which inturn reults with version difference in the field namely, Programs, Reports, Screens, Messages, Notes an Function Modules. Here too the involvement of functional consultant neede to determine either reset to original or to go with Adopt modification from the older design, as explained earlier.
At teh end of the, moreover the functional consultant role involved in testing the Entire processes and transactoin in the system for system dump and bugs, in necessity to correct teh same and results with nil errors in production client.
Also the Zprograms invloved in the older versions, needs to be examined for the actual need, and to be justified with adoption in the newer version or by adopting to the updated functionality in the newer version.
Hope this may give better clarity in the involvement of the Functional Consultant in the Updgrade project.

In PP Interface related issues the role of functional consultant

In PP Interface related issues what is the role of functional consultant . what is the approach steps to analyse and resolve the issues in XI, interface, idoc, etc.,

For issues relating to interfaces, a functional person would need to diagnose what is causing the issue & thereby informing the technical person where to fix it, if the issue is due to system setup.
As regards to the steps, I just wish there was a manual which read something like
10 steps on how to analyze....
unfortunately there is none that I have come across or even if one is ever written on those lines will be very specific, so not much of use for your need. A good approach would be to have a clear understanding of what the interface is supposed to do, which would assist you in fixing the issues.

Role of Functional Consultant

Dear All,
I am SD consultant working since last 3 years now I got the CRM Project to implement.
Can any body please tell the role of function consultant while implementing CRM 2007?
I little confused that what is functional consultant responsibility and what is technical consultant responsibility
Thanks in Advance,
RAJ

Hi Raj,
I understand your doubt!
Functional consultant is a broad term used for all functional people working on a project. You need to identify the area you are working on, hence would have different roles and responsibilities for the same.
The following threads can help you get direction towards resolving your query:
Role of Functional Consultant
What are the roles & responsibilities as a sap hr functional consultant ?
Role and Responsibility of support functional consultant SD
Role of FI consultant with Interface
Hope this helps!
Regards,
Saumya

Difference between application/solution/functional consultant??

Hi Experts,
Could you explain the difference between the 3 kinds of consultant mentioned in the subject ?
Regards,
Aaron

From my knowledge,
Application consultant will handle support activities in respective module of expertise.
Functional consultant will have expertise in domain area(marketing,purchase,quality,plant maintenance) as well as in configuration.
Also check this links
[Role of a mySAP Functional Consultant |http://www.sap-img.com/general/role-of-a-sap-functional-consultant.htm]
[Diff between SAP Consultant, SAP Business Consultant and SAP Solution Consultant|http://sap.ittoolbox.com/groups/career/sap-career/diff-between-sap-consultant-sap-business-consultant-and-sap-solution-consultant-1603744]
Edited by: Jeyakanthan A on Jul 15, 2010 12:04 PM

Role for Functional Consultant in upgradation

Hi
I want to know, what will be the role of SAP CRM Functional consultant in up gradation of CRM 4.0/5.0 to 6.0/7.0?
I want detailed answers for this one and also if possible than also give some document or provide link for Up gradation document
I am eagerly waiting for reply. .
Thanks in advance.

Hi there,
First and foremost, take all screenshot of processes in the old version. (Functional)
Well to start with, the main backbone of the upgrade project are the Basis Team, so you will be needing a strong Basis Resource.
Once you define the system, a technical testing is done by them and given the system to Functional Consultant.
Compare the old screenshot with new version screenshot and ensure whether the data is correctly available, this can be random, just the basic and important processes to cover. (Functional)
Meanwhile, the functional consultant is required to develop the test scripts, which will include all the business scenarios which are been used in the old version.
For eg: Test Scripts on Sales process -->from creating the Prospects to Lead then Oppurtunity Document and then closing the case by creation of Sales Orde Management in ECC.
After testing, it is important in any project to get the sign off from the business team, these are called unit testsing & integration testing sign-off process.
So based on your modules interfaced with CRM system, you will require one consultant from each module, for instance, SD Consultant for SD Module.
One more resource will be needed for Web UI Components to test the BSP pages and all, for this a CRM Technical Consultant is needed to be on a safer side, or even a functional consultant can test depending on his/her expertise on Web UI functionality.
Hope this helps,

Authorization Object And Roles For Functional Consultant

Dear Expert,
What kind of respective Authorization Object And Roles would be provided to Functional Consultant (FI,MM, SD, PM, PS, CO, HR )at the time of implementation ?
Thanx in advance
Pavel

Thanks Juan,
We now already have it here and in the NW IDM forum a few times as well...
Cheers,
Julius

Role of functional consultants in GRC Process Control

Can anybody provide his/her thoughts on the role played by functional consultants (especially FI, MM) in GRC Process Control assignments/projects?

Hi Abhijeet,
Process Control means controls to be implemented in a given Process.
Now what is the Process?
Flow of activities which can be tracked one end to other. Best example:: Procure- to- Pay or Order- to- Cash.
Procure to Pay is one process which starts with Procurement and involves MM-Purchase, and FI-AP mainly. Similarly , Order to Cash cycle starts from SD and stops at FI-AR.
Controls in these processes has to be built at several stages,i.e., at sub-process levels. For Instance, in Procur-to-Pay , more controls are required for Vendor related Transactions.- Person allowed to create vendor should not be allowed to process the Vendor. Internal control on Duplicate Invoices . Payment maintenace of vendor like Bank details changes in Vendor Master should be cross checked by two tier Authorisation or Composite Role method via Basis.
Henceforth the functinal consultants has more role to identify/design/implement the controls.
There is no readymade tool so far to guide us as to what are the Processes where we need the Controls in SAP. It calls for pure expertise in the domain and vast exposure in building the controls.
Most of the people are embedding controls today to Comply with various Regulations (SOX/J-SOX/COSO guidelines, etc.). Few are exercising it to avoid Frauds.
Let me know what is <i>your</i> actual concern and where exactly you are looking for the GRC Process Controls? Is it for Audit or for Implentation ? May be then this forum can be more helpful.
Regards,
Sudhanshu
My points....
Message was edited by:
Sudhanshu Shekhar Tiwary

Roles for functional consultants during implementation

Hi,
We are in the configuration phase of implementation of ECC 6.0.
Please suggest the roles we need to assign to FI/MM/SD/PP consultants during configuration.
Thanks & Regards
Mrutyunjay

Yes Pinkle we can restrict !!
by restricting transaction code at S_TCODE definetly you can stop the transaction but for those which we are allowing do need many other auth_objects in the profile.. and identifying them is problem.
I want to restrict the above four transactions and want to give the rest.. is there any simple way !!!
I would appreciate if anyone share their knowledge regarding what roles they carry during configuration.... sap_all + sap_new !!
Please suggest

Business Analyst SAP

Hi Every one,
Can some one please explain, the role and function of Business Analyst in SAP environment, and please refer to tools and templates used to perform this role.
How much SAP configuration is done by Business Analyst?
I shall be obliged.
With many thanks in advance.
VM

Dear Vikram,
Role of a SAP Functional Consultant :
What are the differences between a functional and business consultant?
The difference between Functional consultant and Business consultant are as follows:
1) A funcitonal consultant is able to configure the system unlike business consultant.
2) Functional consultant know more about business process unlike Business consultant.
3) A business consultant will bring business process knowledge and provide it to functional consultant who in turn used this knowledge to configure the system.
4) Functional consultant has more configuration knolwledge then Business consultant.
The responsibilities of a support consultant are:
- Primarily responsible for Handling tickets and application support to the endusers
- When an issue comes diagnose, analyse and solve the issue
- Responsible for any enhancements
- Writing functional specs and interacting with Abapers to develop any user exits
- Training the end users and preparing end user training material
For those who wished to know the role of a functional consultant. Below is one view:
A functional consultant evaluates the demands in talking with the customer's representatives, transforms the essence into an abstract and algorithmic business model. Hence, he identifies the use cases and transforms them into logical and technical views.
Then the main task starts: customizing the respective business area and making sure the system reacts in the manner according to the constraints of the requested use case.
The consultant documents the settings and prepares proper guidelines that allow other consultants to do further changes or repairs with due efforts.
The consultant takes care that proper training is given to the users and that the system is usable, performing appropriately and the business flow is complete and correct.
During go live he assists the technical staff by testing the behaviour of the system.
After go live he guarantees that the procedures remain usable and consistent in real live situation and proposes enhancements.
The main duty of a consultant is to transfer external know-how to the client. It is not manpower that counts but intelligence, understanding of processes, a feeling for defects and general a common sense.
Role of a Functional Consultant in an End To End Implementation
When you talk about the role of a Functional consultant in an end to end implementation, I think it won't be possible for me or anybody to define everything but I will try to summarize it:
1. Functional consultant is expected to generate knowledge about the current business process, design current business flows, study current business processes and its complication, in all we can say getting through with current business setup. Flow diagrams and DFD are prepared, most of the time in Vision format, all this forms the part of AS IS document.
2. Everything configured has to be documented as per their categories in the form of predefined templates, these have to be then approved by the team leads or who ever the consultant is reporting to.
3. Mapping and GAP analysis is done for each module, I have seen people defining integration after mapping, gap analysis and configuration is done, but as per my experience in implementation, it is a simultaneous process.
4. Before starting configuring future business processes in SAP, the DFD/ERD are prepared, this documentation is called TO BE, which can be also siad as the result of mapping and gap analysis.
5. Sometimes Functional consultants are also expected to prepare test scripts for testing the configured scenarios.
6. End user manual and user training is also expected from F.Consultants.
The project normally starts off with a Kick off meeting in which the team size, team members, reporting system, responsibilities, duties, methodlogy, dates and schedules, working hours which have been predicided are formally defined.
ASAP, it won't be possible for me to explain it here, but all I can tell you about it is that it is SAP standard implementation methodology, which SAP prescribes but is not mandatory for any company to follow, such as IBM follow some blue Methodlogy, some companies follow typical SDLC steps, ASAP stands for Accerlated SAP, you can find all the steps on SAP site, through google, reading it from there won't give you a great knowledge about ASAP but will obviously get you to know the definitions of various term.
Hope this helps you.
Regards,
Rakesh

Role of a Business Analyst in SAP

HI,
Can some tell me what is role of a business analyst in SAP?.
I know BA is gathers requirement from Client and gives it to the technical team.
I am little confused to what it exactly is the work . A SAP consultant also configures according the client, so isn't his role same as the business analyst.
If some could send me a few documents for me understand, will really be appreciated
Thanks

Dear Abhishek,
Role of a mySAP Functional Consultant
What are the differences between a functional and business consultant?
The difference between Functional consultant and Business consultant are as follows:
1) A funcitonal consultant is able to configure the system unlike business consultant.
2) Functional consultant know more about business process unlike Business consultant.
3) A business consultant will bring business process knowledge and provide it to functional consultant who in turn used this knowledge to configure the system.
4) Functional consultant has more configuration knolwledge then Business consultant.
The responsibilities of a support consultant are:
- Primarily responsible for Handling tickets and application support to the endusers
- When an issue comes diagnose, analyse and solve the issue
- Responsible for any enhancements
- Writing functional specs and interacting with Abapers to develop any user exits
- Training the end users and preparing end user training material
For those who wished to know the role of a functional consultant. Below is one view:
A functional consultant evaluates the demands in talking with the customer's representatives, transforms the essence into an abstract and algorithmic business model. Hence, he identifies the use cases and transforms them into logical and technical views.
Then the main task starts: customizing the respective business area and making sure the system reacts in the manner according to the constraints of the requested use case.
The consultant documents the settings and prepares proper guidelines that allow other consultants to do further changes or repairs with due efforts.
The consultant takes care that proper training is given to the users and that the system is usable, performing appropriately and the business flow is complete and correct.
During go live he assists the technical staff by testing the behaviour of the system.
After go live he guarantees that the procedures remain usable and consistent in real live situation and proposes enhancements.
The main duty of a consultant is to transfer external know-how to the client. It is not manpower that counts but intelligence, understanding of processes, a feeling for defects and general a common sense.
Role of a Functional Consultant in an End To End Implementation
When you talk about the role of a Functional consultant in an end to end implementation, I think it won't be possible for me or anybody to define everything but I will try to summarize it:
1. Functional consultant is expected to generate knowledge about the current business process, design current business flows, study current business processes and its complication, in all we can say getting through with current business setup. Flow diagrams and DFD are prepared, most of the time in Vision format, all this forms the part of AS IS document.
2. Everything configured has to be documented as per their categories in the form of predefined templates, these have to be then approved by the team leads or who ever the consultant is reporting to.
3. Mapping and GAP analysis is done for each module, I have seen people defining integration after mapping, gap analysis and configuration is done, but as per my experience in implementation, it is a simultaneous process.
4. Before starting configuring future business processes in SAP, the DFD/ERD are prepared, this documentation is called TO BE, which can be also siad as the result of mapping and gap analysis.
5. Sometimes Functional consultants are also expected to prepare test scripts for testing the configured scenarios.
6. End user manual and user training is also expected from F.Consultants.
The project normally starts off with a Kick off meeting in which the team size, team members, reporting system, responsibilities, duties, methodlogy, dates and schedules, working hours which have been predicided are formally defined.
ASAP, it won't be possible for me to explain it here, but all I can tell you about it is that it is SAP standard implementation methodology, which SAP prescribes but is not mandatory for any company to follow, such as IBM follow some blue Methodlogy, some companies follow typical SDLC steps, ASAP stands for Accerlated SAP, you can find all the steps on SAP site, through google, reading it from there won't give you a great knowledge about ASAP but will obviously get you to know the definitions of various term.
Hope this helps you. Please let me know in case of any queries.
Regards,
Rakesh

What is the roles of technical and functional consultants in ESS/MSS area?

Gurus,
What is the roles of technical consultants in ESS/MSS area?
What is the roles of functional consultants in ESS/MSS area?
Please help me see the differences.
Thanks,

Hi Thaman,
Responsibility of functional consultant in ESS/MSS:- Functional configuration under SPRO > Employee self service and manager self service, then preparation of Functional specification design (FSD) if any deviation from standard SAP, Unit test plan preparation and all functionailty testing
Responsibility of Technical consultant:- Preparation of Technical specification design document (TSD), activation of work flow and creation of workflow if additional is required. Creatio of form like vacancy requisition form, new position creation form etc.
Also some kind of technical configuration is there in SPRO for workflow and form
Regards,
Purnima

From an ABAP developer to a functional consultant

Hi,
I need some advices to help me improve my work as a junior functional consultant. I have been an ABAP developer for 2 - 3 years and then I moved to the role of functional consultant.
I have read that there is a higher probability to become successful as a functional consultant if you have a business background rather than a technical background...I have been moved to a junior functional consultant role for more than a year - I've been reading books on configuration and functional process flows and unfortunately the assignments on the project I'm working on are mostly specific developments rather than configuration of standard flows which gives me litlle exposure...
What can I do to improve my functional skills and is it true that it is more difficult to become a functional consultant if we have a technical backgorund?
Thanking in advance anyone who would reply.

What can I do to improve my functional skills
Gain experience and be open-minded. It's pretty much the only way to improve your problem solving and thus your "functional" skills.
Is it true that it is more difficult to become a functional consultant if we have a technical backgorund?
I don't think it can be expressed that vastly. I would personally always choose someone with a technical background over the one who talks about "Business" and essentially doesn't really know what he's talking about...
By the way, have you tried the Career forums?:
Career Center
Cheers, Lukas

Difference in roles of functional consultant & Business Analyst

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