Case Study: Why Large Enterprises Struggle with S/4HANA Transformations – and How FORTE4 Delivers
Introduction
For many global enterprises, the move to SAP S/4HANA is one of the most critical and complex transformations of the decade. Organizations often turn to the large system integrators for guidance, expecting deep expertise and flawless execution. Yet, across industries, S/4HANA programs are frequently delayed, over budget, and ultimately stabilized only after independent experts are brought in.
This case study demonstrates why traditional approaches often fail—and how FORTE4, with its proven SAP Master Data Governance (MDG) and S/4HANA expertise, helps organizations succeed where others struggle.
The Challenge: A Global Leader in Manufacturing
A global leader in manufacturing embarked on a major S/4HANA transformation program with a top-tier consultancy. The project was designed to run for 24 months, but despite significant investments, milestones were repeatedly missed.
The core challenges included:
Lack of Specialized Know-How – While program governance was strong, the consulting team lacked deep hands-on S/4HANA and MDG experience. Key design decisions stalled, leading to repeated rework.
Commercial Models That Reward Hours, Not Outcomes – The project engagement was structured to maximize billable hours, not accelerate delivery. Momentum slowed as resources rotated in and out.
Over-Reliance on Generic Teams – Many roles were filled with junior consultants, while true experts were spread thin across multiple clients. As a result, critical technical work was delayed until external contractors stepped in.
After more than a year, the program had lost momentum, business stakeholders had grown frustrated, and timelines slipped well beyond the original go-live plan.
The Turning Point: Bringing in FORTE4
Recognizing the risk to business continuity and competitiveness, the manufacturer engaged FORTE4, a German consultancy specialized in SAP S/4HANA and Master Data Governance. Unlike traditional firms, FORTE4 focuses on delivery, not just hours billed.
Our approach included:
Specialized Expertise from Day One – Senior SAP MDG and S/4HANA architects were deployed immediately, bringing clarity to the design and execution roadmap.
Outcome-Based Delivery – The engagement was structured around tangible milestones, ensuring progress could be tracked and measured against business outcomes.
Hands-On Execution – FORTE4 experts did not just advise—they rolled up their sleeves to execute data migration, integration, and governance processes directly.
Business Alignment – By involving business users early, we ensured that process design supported actual operations, not just theoretical frameworks.
The Results
Within nine months, the S/4HANA program was stabilized, and the project regained the confidence of business stakeholders. Key achievements included:
A clear, achievable roadmap to go-live.
Successful redesign of the data migration and governance strategy.
Faster decision-making, driven by expert-led workshops and technical leadership.
Stronger alignment between IT and business functions.
Most importantly, the manufacturer was able to reduce overall transformation costs by eliminating rework and focusing on outcomes.
Lessons Learned
The experience of this leading manufacturer highlights a broader truth:
Large consulting firms bring scale and governance—but often lack the specialized expertise needed for complex S/4HANA transformations.
Engagement models that prioritize hours over delivery can stall progress.
Enterprises that rely solely on these approaches risk delays, cost overruns, and frustrated stakeholders.
By contrast, FORTE4 specializes in rescuing and accelerating such transformations. With deep MDG and S/4HANA knowledge, outcome-based delivery, and hands-on execution, we ensure that digital transformations deliver real, measurable business value.
Conclusion
S/4HANA is too critical to leave to generic delivery models. Enterprises that combine the structure of large consultancies with the specialized expertise of partners like FORTE4 are best positioned to succeed.
At FORTE4, we don’t just sell hours—we deliver transformations.
