Embarking on Your SAP S/4HANA Transformation with RISE with SAP

When SAP first introduced RISE with SAP in 2021, it marked a fundamental shift in how organizations would approach their S/4HANA journeys. Positioned as a “business transformation as a service” offering, RISE with SAP bundles cloud infrastructure, tools, services, and software into a single offering. While this model simplifies the pathway to S/4HANA from an operational and licensing perspective, it doesn’t eliminate the need for the right people. In fact, it’s reshaping the type of talent you’ll need to plan, implement, and operate your SAP environment successfully. 

Below, we explore key considerations for businesses to keep in mind as they begin their SAP S/4HANA transformation with RISE with SAP. 

Shifting Responsibilities with RISE with SAP

Traditionally, an S/4HANA implementation required organizations to manage a complex network of vendors and internal teams—covering everything from infrastructure and hosting to application management and customization. RISE with SAP consolidates many of those responsibilities under SAP itself, particularly in cloud-hosted environments, which creates a notable shift in staffing focus.  

For instance: 

• Less infrastructure, more integration: With cloud infrastructure handled by SAP or hyperscalers like AWS, the demand for internal Basis and infrastructure experts has diminished. 

• More focus on process and data roles: Organizations now need business analysts, integration specialists, and data governance professionals who can bridge the gap between standardized SAP processes and specific business needs. 

• Greater need for change management and training: RISE promotes a faster, more templated S/4HANA deployment. That requires a workforce that can quickly adapt and support organizational change both culturally and technically. 

Key Roles Being Reshaped

While many traditional SAP roles still exist, they are being redefined by the realities of the RISE model. 

Technical Consultants

In a RISE context, many Basis activities (system monitoring, patching, performance tuning, etc.) are handled by SAP. However, this doesn’t eliminate the need for Basis knowledge. Technical consultants now often function as liaisons between internal teams and SAP, ensuring compliance and managing escalations.

Functional Consultants

With SAP pushing more customers toward standardized best practices and Fit-to-Standard workshops, functional consultants must now be fluent not only in SAP modules but also in guiding business stakeholders through trade-offs between customization and standardization. Simply put: they’re becoming strategic advisors rather than pure configurators.

Data Experts

S/4HANA and RISE go hand-in-hand with data transformation. From data migration to master data governance, clean data is key to a successful go-live. That said, the need for skilled data analysts, data specialists, data architects, and data governance leads has surged.

Integration Architects

As cloud landscapes become more modular, integrations are more critical than ever. Whether it’s connecting SAP to legacy systems or integrating with third-party SaaS platforms, middleware experts with experience in solutions like SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) are in high demand.

Project Managers & Change Leads

RISE introduces a more accelerated implementation cycle. As a result, experienced SAP project managers and seasoned change management professionals are central to successful rollouts. 

What This Means for Staffing Models

The move to RISE with SAP is nudging companies toward more strategic, flexible staffing models. Here are three ways staffing is evolving: 

More Hybrid Teams

Because SAP manages part of the tech stack directly, companies are opting for smaller core teams supported by niche external experts. This hybrid model enables access to specialists without inflating internal headcount. 

With this extended support from SAP, organizations should build a smaller internal SAP team focused on business alignment and augment it with contract-based specialists for high-impact phases like data migration, testing, implementation, or go-live support. 

Shorter, Project-Based Engagements

Many organizations are adopting agile or phased implementation approaches under RISE. This increases demand for contract-based consultants who can join at critical junctures—such as during migration or testing—and then roll off. 

Focus on Business Transformation Talent

With RISE emphasizing business transformation, there’s increased demand for talent that blends SAP know-how with industry expertise and soft skills. This means that the shift to RISE also requires a shift in mindset, requiring organizations to look for people who understand areas like AI and automation as opposed to just legacy SAP skills. 

Beginning Your S/4HANA Transformation with RISE with SAP

RISE with SAP simplifies infrastructure and accelerates S/4HANA migration timelines, but it doesn’t replace the need for smart, strategic talent. In fact, the success of your S/4HANA system still hinges on having the right mix of business, technical, and transformation-focused talent. 

If you’re planning your S/4HANA transformation with RISE with SAP, start thinking now about the roles and skills that will matter most. Focus on capabilities like data readiness and change enablement, and work with partners who understand the nuances of SAP’s evolving delivery model. 

For help getting started, contact our SAP Staffing team today.