^{Why African Organizations Need More Than SAP Training: The Power of Workflow-Based Learning and Digital Adoption in South Africa}

Organisations in South Africa are investing heavily in SAP solutions across the mining, manufacturing, banking, retail, telecommunications, healthcare, and government sectors to create greater efficiencies and support digital transformation. With companies moving forward with their SAP S4HANA implementations (as well as SAP SuccessFactors, SAP Ariba, SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP), and multiple other enterprise solutions), there has been a continued emergence of a common challenge: Traditional SAP training alone is not sufficient.

Companies are investing a considerable amount of financial and personnel resources in classroom training, online courses, and SAP certifications for employees. However, employees often struggle to apply the knowledge gained through training once they return to their daily responsibilities. This gap between 'learn & apply' can delay or reduce the adoption of an SAP solution, impact overall productivity, and ultimately limit the overall return on investment for the SAP solution.

Enterprises within South Africa require more than a training program from SAP; they require a Digital Adoption Strategy (DAS) in conjunction with workflow-based learning.

^{Challenges with Classic SAP Training}

Typically, traditional SAP training will attempt to teach users the different ways to perform actions within the software; however, most companies will offer workshops or online courses as well as provide users with manuals. While these are good starting points for new users of SAP, they often do NOT cover all the day-to-day realities of actual business processes.

Customisation of an organisation’s business process in relation to the geographic region it operates in is common across all companies using SAP; some examples include the different methods in which a procurement process may look in a Johannesburg-based manufacturer vs a Cape Town-based financial services company. Because of this, many companies that provide SAP training will provide materials that are not relevant to the specific processes your company uses.

SAP professionals are always engaged in conversations and discussions across various user communities in regard to how important understanding business processes is for successful SAP training, as opposed to just knowing how to use the system. More than anything else, end-user training on SAP should be developed around the actual business processes and how the organisation will use SAP to support those processes, and less around separate transactions – this is where the concept of workflow-based learning becomes critical.

^{What Is Workflow-Based Learning?}

Workflow-based learning is a method of teaching employees how to perform everyday tasks in their jobs. Instead of traditional classroom training, where an employee would learn how to navigate through a SAP system on their own, an employee is instructed on how to complete a specific task (e.g., processing an invoice) while they are doing it.

Examples of this method include:

• A finance employee is instructed on how to process invoices step by step.
• A procurement officer is given guidance on approving requisitions for purchasing.
• An HR manager is provided support when completing tasks related to workforce management.
• A warehouse person is guided through the process of tracking inventory.

Workflow-based learning can minimise confusion, shorten the learning curve, and increase employee confidence.

Research and studies within the industry have shown that digital learning and in-application guidance can help drive employee adoption of the software used and ultimately improve the overall performance of employees in the workplace. Increasingly, employers are using Digital Adoption Platforms (DAPs) to assist employees while working within company ERP systems, helping them to learn how to perform the required processes when they need help.

^{The Importance of Digital Adoption in South Africa}

Digital transformation efforts are being put into action by South African organisations to ensure competitiveness within the local and international markets. The implementation of technology alone won’t ensure a successful outcome.

Many implementations of ERP systems experience barriers to their success due to employees not fully embracing the new system. Some of the common problems can include:

• Resistance to change.
• Low engagement from users.
• Process-related problems.
• Higher levels of support requests.
• Slow to realise productivity improvements.
• Processes not being executed consistently.

According to the recent SAP training and adoption research, organisations that integrate training along with continuous user assistance can experience substantial improvements in performance, productivity and user satisfaction levels. SAP has shown measurable business benefits from adoption programmes that have been effectively implemented (e.g., increased levels of productivity and engagement from users).

For organisations in South Africa that are investing millions of Rand into SAP implementations, ensuring maximum user adoption is necessary to achieve the anticipated business outcomes.

^{Training has changed to Learning Continuously}

The way we learn today in the workplace is very different from the way we learned 10 years ago. The majority of people who work today expect to have a variety of options available to them when it comes to learning, and appreciate being able to learn in a way and style that fits their jobs and activities.

SAP understands this evolution of the workforce; therefore, they have put a stronger emphasis on continuous learning rather than offering only initial or one-time training sessions. In addition, modern digital learning strategies are designed to support employees by allowing them to continuously develop skills as technology changes.

Companies are now embracing alternative learning solutions instead of traditional methods like providing pre-go-live training:

• Embedded Learning Tools
• Digital Adoption Platforms
• Interactive Simulations
• Role-Based Learning Paths
• Contextual Help Systems
• Workflow Guidance Solutions

These types of learning solutions allow for learning to take place as part of an employee's daily work, rather than being a separate event from their regular job responsibilities.

^{Digital Adoption Platforms and SAP Enable Now}

Digital adoption platforms, including SAP Enable Now, and tools like it are changing the way organisations can train and support their users.

The features of digital adoption solutions include:

• Interactive walkthroughs
• On-the-job guidance
• Process simulations
• Contextual assist
• Knowledge repositories
• User performance analytics

Rather than expecting employees to remember procedures and rely on training alone, these tools allow for support at the moment of need.

This is particularly beneficial in South Africa, where many organisations have multiple sites and diverse workforces. Executing a consistent process is made easier by embedding guidance directly into the environment in SAP.

^{How Prompt Edify Can Support South African Organisations}

At Prompt Edify, we believe successful SAP transformation is driven by people, not just technology. Under the leadership of Mr Anup Sharma, we help organisations strengthen workforce capabilities through SAP corporate training, SAP Enable Now solutions, digital adoption strategies, and user enablement programs that drive lasting business success 

Our approach includes:

• SAP End-User Training
• Workflow-Centric Learning Design
• Development of Digital Adoption Strategies
• SAP Enable Now Implementation Support
• SAP SuccessFactors Learning Solutions
• Corporate SAP Upskilling Programs
• Change Management and User Adoption Initiatives

Organisations can enhance their user confidence, reduce support costs, and accelerate the benefits of their SAP project when they align training with actual business workflows.

^Summary

With South Africa undergoing a digital transformation, there is a growing need for businesses to find new ways of training employees and helping them use SAP systems, rather than just using traditional training methods. Today’s constant changes to how we do business require more than just the old-fashioned way of providing training.

Organisations that embrace workflow-based learning, continuous skill improvement and digital adoption in such things will be the ones to thrive in the future. Helping employees learn as part of their work process enables organisations to have faster adoption rates of technology, improved productivity and achieve a higher return on their SAP investments.

Organisations will be positioned for long-term success in a digital economy if they move beyond just conducting traditional training and take digital adoption into account.