Below is a practical, ready-to-use plan for SAP user training and ongoing user support you can adapt for any SAP module (ECC, S/4HANA, SuccessFactors, Ariba, Concur, etc.). It includes objectives, audience segmentation, a recommended curriculum, delivery methods, timeline, support model, measurement, sample agendas and templates you can copy.
Summary / goals
- Get end users productive quickly with minimal disruption to business processes.
- Reduce support tickets and system errors through targeted, role-based training.
- Provide fast, scalable ongoing support (helpdesk, knowledge base, super-user network).
- Measure adoption and continuously improve training/support materials.
- Target audiences (with examples)
- Executive / Sponsor briefings (overview, KPIs)
- Process owners / power users (deep functional knowledge; can troubleshoot)
- End users by role (order entry, accounts payable, warehouse, HR)
- IT / Basis / Security (technical administration, transport, roles)
- Trainers / change agents (internal trainers who will teach others)
- Core components of the program
- Role-based classroom training (virtual or in-person)
- Hands-on labs with system exercises (sandbox/IDES)
- Quick reference guides (1–2 page job aids)
- Step-by-step process guides (for complex multi-step transactions)
- Recorded micro-lessons (2–8 minute videos)
- Sandbox practice tasks and test scripts
- Certification for power users (assessments + badge)
- Knowledge base + searchable FAQ
- Tiered support model (helpdesk → super-user → functional consultant)
- Feedback loop and training refresh cadence
- Sample curriculum (role-based modules)
A. End user (business role) — typical 2–6 hour workshop per role
- System basics: login, navigation, personalization, Fiori tiles (15–30 min)
- Role-specific transactions and processes with practice (60–240 min)
- Data entry standards and mandatory fields (15–30 min)
- How to search and read reports/dashboards (15–45 min)
- Exceptions, common errors and troubleshooting (15–30 min)
- How/where to get help (ticketing, super-user) (10 min)
B. Power user / process owner — 1–3 days
- In-depth process walkthroughs across modules (order-to-cash, procure-to-pay)
- Configuration awareness (what influences their screens)
- Reporting and analytics (custom queries, Fiori apps)
- Testing and validating changes (UAT best practices)
- Coaching/coaching others and documentation practices
C. IT / Security — 1–3 days
- System architecture overview (landscape, transports)
- User and role administration, segregation of duties basics
- Backup/restore, patching window, performance checks
- Integration points and error handling
D. Executive overview — 30–60 minutes
- High-level process flows, KPIs, adoption dashboard, support model
- Delivery methods & materials
- Instructor-led training (ILT): for initial rollout and complex tasks.
- Virtual instructor-led (VILT): live remote sessions with screen-sharing.
- On-demand microlearning: recorded short videos for just-in-time learning.
- Interactive e-learning modules: SCORM modules if you have an LMS.
- Job aids / quick reference cards: printable or digital 1–2 page steps.
- Simulation practice (WalkMe, SAP Enable Now or manual scripts).
- FAQ/Knowledge Base: Confluence, SharePoint, ServiceNow KB articles.
- Slack/Teams channel with pinned resources and super-user rota.
- Example 90-minute end-user training agenda
- 0–10 min: Welcome, objectives, navigation basics
- 10–25 min: Demo: end-to-end process (e.g., create a sales order)
- 25–55 min: Guided hands-on exercise (in sandbox)
- 55–70 min: Common errors and how to fix them
- 70–80 min: Where to find help, raise tickets, escalation
- 80–90 min: Quick quiz / wrap-up and next steps
- Support model (recommended, scalable)
- Tier 0: Self-service (KB, FAQs, videos) — target deflection of 30–50%.
- Tier 1: Helpdesk (phone/email/chat) — scripted solutions, knowledge base, ticket creation.
- Tier 2: Super-users / functional SMEs — deeper business/process troubleshooting.
- Tier 3: SAP functional/technical consultants — configuration, transports, bugs.
- Escalation SLA examples:
- Tier 1 response: 1 business hour
- Tier 2 response: 4 business hours
- Critical (production down): Immediate phone escalation, 2-hour resolution target
- Knowledge base / documentation structure
- Home page with role links
- How-to articles (short, step-by-step)
- Process flows (end-to-end)
- Troubleshooting guides (error messages with screenshots)
- Video library (tagged by role and process)
- Release notes and changes (what changed, who it impacts, training required)
- Metrics to track
- Training completion rate by role
- Time-to-productivity (self-reported or measured by ticket volume)
- Support ticket volume by category before/after training
- First-contact resolution rate
- Average time-to-resolution
- Knowledge base usage and article helpfulness ratings
- User satisfaction (CSAT) after helpdesk interactions and training sessions
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Rollout timeline (example for a medium-sized organization, 4–8 weeks)
Week 0: Planning — identify audiences, map processes, prepare environment
Week 1: Develop materials (job aids, scripts, videos)
Week 2: Train-the-trainer / power users
Week 3–4: Role-based end-user training (sprints by dept)
Week 4–6: Go-live support (hypercare) with super-user shifts
Week 6+: Handover to steady-state support, ongoing microlearning updates
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Hypercare / Go-live support recommendations
- On-site or virtual super-user shifts for first 2–4 weeks post go-live
- Daily standups for first week to capture issues and training gaps
- Rapid updates to KB and job aids as new issues surface
- Temporary increased helpdesk staffing for peak days
- Suggested templates and quick deliverables (I can produce these on request)
- 1–2 page role-based job aid template (with screenshots)
- 30–90 minute training slide deck template
- Hands-on exercise script with test data
- Knowledge base article template
- Ticket intake/triage script
- Super-user rota and escalation matrix
- Tools & technologies commonly used
- Recording: Loom, Camtasia
- Simulations / in-app guidance: SAP Enable Now, WalkMe
- LMS: Cornerstone, SAP Litmos, Moodle
- Ticketing/KB: ServiceNow, Jira Service Desk, Zendesk, Confluence
- Communication: Microsoft Teams, Slack
- Reporting: SAP Analytics Cloud, Power BI, embedded Fiori analytics
- Best practices and tips
- Train in the system (not just slides)—practice beats passive learning.
- Keep materials concise and task-focused (job aids for day 1 tasks).
- Use real examples and real data where possible in sandbox.
- Empower and compensate super-users; they’re your front-line trainers.
- Iterate quickly: update KB within 24–48 hours for recurring issues.
- Use microlearning for refresher training after releases or process changes.
- Track the “why” for errors — often root cause is process or configuration, not user skill.
Next steps I can take for you (pick any and I’ll deliver):
- Build a custom role-based curriculum for your specific SAP modules and number of users.
- Draft a sample 1–2 page job aid for a specific transaction (e.g., create purchase order).
- Create a 60–90 minute training slide deck and hands-on exercise script.
- Design the tiered support SLA matrix and an escalation playbook.
- Produce a checklist and timeline for go-live hypercare.
Tell me which deliverable you want first (for example: “job aid for creating purchase orders in S/4HANA” or “training deck + hands-on script for sales order entry”) and I’ll produce it.