Working in SAP

Meet Ryan O'Hagan, Senior Manager in SAP Consulting

Can you describe a typical day in the job?

Varies day to day, client to client but normally begins with catching up on a few emails from different time zones as most of our projects involve lots of countries. There are always a few meetings, reviews with the team on how we are progressing towards our goals.

What type of projects do you work on?

Normally long term ERP implementation projects with large multinationals. Most of the companies I work with are going through radical changes to their IT systems which typically involve multiple phases over a couple of years.

What skills do you use on a daily basis?

Time management, problem solving skills and people management. PowerPoint and Excel skills come in handy too. Having to translate the technical processes that you are working on into business language is also extremely important. You have to be able to speak the language of your audience.

What is the hardest part of your day?

Knowing which items on your agenda need immediate attention and which can wait.

Do you have any productivity tips that help you through the working day?

Setting meetings with yourself to give you time to get your tasks done!

When you first started this job, what were you most surprised to learn was important in the role?

From a technical point of view just how useful Microsoft Excel was! It is so multi-functional and can be used in so many different ways. I have learnt so many shortcuts and formulas since I joined. I was also surprised at my level of exposure to the client from the beginning but Deloitte have excellent learning and development programmes to make sure you are always client ready. 

How has this role changed as this sector has grown and evolved?

I have seen a large change since I first joined, technology has changed at a rapid pace and the SAP environment is no different. The introduction of HANA has been a game changer and we are now required to be fully up to date on topics such as the internet of things, blockchain, AI and cognitive learning and how all of this interacts with the SAP environment

What do you enjoy most about the job?

The variety of tasks that you are involved with and the people you meet. There is constant change in your role with new technologies, new ideas and different perspectives. Nothing ever stays still.