Hi to all SAP guru's

Question

Currently learning SD module.
So,Please some one clarify my doubts.
1.During implementation,what is the responsabilities of SD functional consultant.
2.What do you mean by configuration of master data's.
3.Have anyone faced problems during configuration.Please give me an example.
4.Give some real time problems you faced.
Please,I am little bit nerves about how to face problems real time.All my friends tell me it's very easy to work on sd module in real time.
Please help me out.
thanks,
abby

Answer 1

Hi
Role of a SAP Functional Consultant
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 behavior 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 said 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, methodology, dates and schedules, working hours which have been predicated 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 Methodology, some companies follow typical SDLC steps, ASAP stands for Accelerated 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.
Configuring master data means u are modifying the customer ,material ,condition data according to clients requirement
Real Time Experience:
1. Billing Document not released to Accounting.
The error was due to material master not maintained appropriately. The scenario was analysed & the result was if Profit Centre is maintained, but MRP type is not maintained, it does nor releases Billing document to accounting in some cases. It is strange, but yes, its true. There were around 85 - 90 invoice & ideally the solution would be cancelling Invoice, Reversing PGI, Cancelling the delivery & cancelling order & redo every thing again after rectifying Material master. This was happening for 2 material Master newly created. But we selected alternative route i.e in Debug mode, we forced the profit center in billing document & then it released to accounting.
2. Sales Order incomplte for Material Availability Date, Actual Delivery date & so on..............
This was another classic case where this was odd. I verified & was clear that incompletion log has no problem & these are not included in incompletion log. This again was an master data issue. The reason was Availablity Check was not maintained in Material Master & I had spend 3 days analysing configuration, before checking material master data. It was a learning that I should have checked the master data also, as however expert an user may be, even he is human & can make error.
3. Common error in an new implementation project with users new to SAP is Billing is not happening.
The highest possiblity is PGI not done or Billing document already created, but overlooked by user in hurry. The best solutiuon is to train the end user to check the document flow, before bringing it as a issue.
4. Modification in Pricing Procedure Calculation or addition of new condition type.
This is very subjective to clients requirement & not possible to explain it here.
The above are few example of real time issues.
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reward if helps</b>