Project System (PS)
Let’s Talk!
Overview
What is Project System (PS) in SAP?
We know that SAP is a comprehensive ERP system with multiple modules supporting each aspect of a business. The Project System module is a module that supports the different stages like the planning, controlling, and monitoring of projects. It also takes care of the execution of the projects in the organizations.
The SAP Project System (PS) module or the SAP PS is the module designed to oversee the following activities pertaining to the projects in the company:
- Project Planning
- Project Execution
- Project Monitoring and Controlling
- Integration
- Reporting
- Integration with External Systems
To summarize, we can say that the PS module streamlines the project management processes. Moreover, it encourages collaboration among different teams to ensure better utilization of the available resources.
Inclusions of the Project System (PS) Module
A Project is a temporary planned undertaking to strategize the introduction of a product or a service. They have predefined goals agreed upon by the company and the client beforehand.
This part of the article takes us through the various SAP PS submodules and what role they play in the project management process.
SAP PS Currencies
Controlling Area Currency isis a feature in the SAP PS that allows handling different currencies. Here, the user defines the work breakdown structure or WBS and also orders in a single controlling area. Throughout the project, the same controlling area will be used; thus, ensuring that the currency in the project system remains the same.
SAP PS Defining Special Characters
There is a provision for defining multiple special characters in a project. These are essential to define the coding design for editing.
Here are the elements for which the users of the SAP PS system can define different parameters:
- Editing project number
- Length of the key for the project coding
- Structure length
- Entry tool field
SAP PS Status Profile
This is used to define the individual user status. It is also used to define the business transaction rules for those statuses.
SAP PS Selection Profile
Whenever there are many selection objects with the same selection condition, the SAP PS Selection Profile is used.
SAP PS Project Profile
Maintaining default values and regulating variables such as cost planning techniques is essential. This is where the SAP PS Project Profile is used.
SAP PS Settlement Profile
All projects must settle their revenues and costs by the time they end. This is where the users will need a settlement profile to facilitate the settlement.
SAP PS Network Profile
The SAP PS Network Profile is required to maintain Network and WBS structure.
SAP PS Network Type
A Network type is an order type with several different categories. These could be production orders, network orders, and so on.
SAP PS Access Control List
The SAP PS system enables us to use an access control list. With this, we can allocate authorizations for specific objects of the project.
SAP PS Cost Component
SAP PS allows the users to utilize cost components for achieving different tasks like the following:
- Controlling project costs
- Planning costs
- Monitoring costs and budgets
SAP PS Budget Management
The budget is separate from the cost plan as the budget is the predetermined cost for the particular project. The submodule SAP PS Budget Management allows us to manage the set budget appropriately.
There are different types of budgets in a project system. Also, the current budget is estimated from the following elements:
- Original budget
- Supplements
- Transfers
- Returns
SAP PS Dates
The start and completion dates of a project are important to the project lifecycle. SAP PS Dates is the feature that enables users to check the dates throughout the project.
SAP PS Material
This is an essential element required to carry out material management and the flow of material throughout the project.
SAP PS Versions
As the name suggests, SAP PS Versions is used to recognize the state of the project at a certain time.
SAP PS Project Information System
This component facilitates monitoring and controlling of the project master data. This element enables the users to analyze all the various aspects of the projects appropriately.
Things to consider while implementation of the Project System (PS) module
Here are some important considerations before implementing the SAP PS module:
Project goals and scope: The users, managers or companies must define the scope of the SAP PS module in the realm of their project. They must define the features of the module that will be included in the first version of the project and which ones can be included later on.
Stakeholder Engagement: The companies must also include the opinions and suggestions of the departments and stakeholders that will be closely associated with the project.
Requirements Gathering: This requires the businesses to analyze thoroughly the functional and non-functional requirements.
Technology: This must be considered to understand and use the appropriate technology and frameworks.
Integration points: Here the users must understand and know the integration points at which the SAP PS module must be integrated with the other modules. HR, Finance, and CRM are some modules it can be integrated with.
How will BPX help implement the Project System (PS) module?
The role of BPX cannot be underestimated in the process of implementation of the SAP PS module. Let’s understand in detail:
1. As-Is Process: This is where the BPX takes note of the existing and current processes of the client. BPX makes sure all the points of the existing procedures are noted. On the basis of these, there are documents prepared about the shortcomings or areas for improvement.
2. Business Blueprint (Gap-Fit & To-be)/ SAP functional specification document: The as-is process forms the basis of this stage where the BPX draws a business blueprint. All the essential criteria are mentioned in the blueprint so that the gap-fit analysis can be drafted. The gap-fit analysis ensures that the gaps between the as-is and to-be are met diligently.
3. Master Data Migration/ Item Master Configuration: This phase is all about migrating the master data from the legacy system to the new SAP system. BPX strives to oversee the complete migration happens without a hiccup.
4. System Configuration / Realization (as per To-Be) along with customization: This is the phase where BPX plays a pivotal role. It ascertains that the system configuration takes place based on the exact client requirements. Furthermore, the BPX also assures the client of any customizations required at this stage based on the type of business.
5. UAT: The User Acceptance Testing phase, as the name goes, is the phase where the BPX introduces test scenarios to the users. These users can use dummy data for now to test of the system performance is at par with the expectations of the business. All the feedback is gathered from the users to ensure that the progress of the implementation is smooth. The users in this case can be project managers or other stakeholders.
6. Go-Live Preparation: This stage is all about preparing for the live phase. All the information collected from the users in the previous stage is put to use. It is analyzed and assessed to make the necessary changes if required. This is a crucial phase that will essentially determine the success of the implementation of the SAP Project System module.
7. Go-Live: This is the stage where finally the SAP PS system is made available to real users with real data. BPX is always by its side to remove any obstacles that may pose in the way of efficient use of the system.
8. After Go-Live Support: Even after the system has gone live, there could be some unexpected hindrances. These must be removed at the earliest and BPX efficiently makes it possible.
FAQs
Let’s see some quick questions and answers in this section.
SAP Project System or SAP PS is utilized by companies to perform project management. It also handles portfolio management. It also facilitates the management of the project lifecycle. It is a module that oversees the entire project right through its completion.
Let’s look at the two concepts in detail:
Internal financed project: This involves a project associated with an overhead cost project or capital investment.
External financed project: These projects are sponsored by clients and completed based on client requirements. These are therefore called customer projects.
Work breakdown structure plays a critical role in structuring the project in hierarchical or network techniques. The users can define important milestones that enable them to assess the project’s progress.