We had the pleasure of speaking with Venu Sayini, a seasoned SAP leader with 25 years of experience in business and digital transformation. With 17 of those years spent at Big Four firms like Deloitte and KPMG, Venu has provided strategic guidance on global SAP initiatives and led complex transformation programmes across industries. In this conversation, he shares his journey into SAP, insights on program management, and predictions for the future of ERP.
From Mechanical Engineering to SAP Leadership
Venu’s path into SAP began in an unexpected place: mechanical engineering. His early interest in solving technical problems led him to pursue an MBA in Finance and Information Systems. In the mid 90s, as SAP was gaining traction with Fortune 500 companies, Venu was inspired by thought leaders in the space and transitioned into a techno-functional consultant role.
That move marked the beginning of a long and impactful career in SAP. Over time, Venu held various leadership positions, developing a deep understanding of both business processes and technology. His extensive consulting background, particularly his time with Deloitte and KPMG helped hone his ability to lead large scale transformation initiatives and drive enterprise wide efficiency.
What Is SAP Program Management?
According to Venu, SAP program management begins with deep expertise in a core functional area, such as Finance or Sales & Distribution. From there, it’s critical to understand ERP architecture and gain product-specific knowledge before moving into management.
Effective SAP program managers must bridge both functional and architectural domains. It’s this combination of knowledge that enables them to lead delivery teams, manage risks, and implement robust SAP solutions that align with business goals.
The S/4HANA Shift: Speed and Standardisation
The arrival of SAP S/4HANA has fundamentally changed how projects are delivered. Where traditional SAP ERP implementations could take two years or more, modern S/4HANA rollouts are often completed in under eight months.
This acceleration is driven by a shift from “fit-gap” analysis to a “fit-to-standard” approach. Rather than tailoring systems heavily to business processes, organisations now adapt to industry best practices, enabling faster configuration and deployment.
Venu sees this as a defining trend that will shape the next two decades of SAP transformation, especially as cloud hyperscalers and scalable infrastructure continue to evolve.
Agile, Hybrid, and the Future of Delivery Models
The way SAP projects are managed has evolved as well. Agile and hybrid methodologies now play a central role in how projects are structured. Venu describes modern delivery as progressing through phases like discovery, exploration, and deployment, with an emphasis on collaboration and iteration.
Agile methodology allows teams to gather requirements continuously, build working prototypes, and test with real users early on, unlike traditional waterfall models, where feedback often comes too late. Hybrid approaches offer the best of both worlds: agility for innovation and structure for complex deliverables.
Keys to a Successful SAP Transformation
What sets successful SAP programmes apart? According to Venu, it starts with clear alignment. Organisations must define their business goals, understand what SAP modules they’re deploying, and establish what success looks like from day one.
Risk management is another critical factor. Early identification of potential roadblocks allows teams to develop mitigation strategies. Deep product and process expertise, especially using tools like Signavio, also plays a major role. Venu advises spending 2–5 years deeply learning the product and delivery lifecycle, ideally in an architectural capacity.
The Skillset of a Strong SAP Program Manager
To lead effectively, SAP program managers need hands-on experience delivering at least two to three full lifecycle implementations. The ability to anticipate and resolve challenges is essential.
A background that spans both technical and functional areas is particularly valuable, as it helps bridge business needs with technology solutions, something that’s increasingly important in today’s fast-paced environments.
Venu’s final message is clear: standardise wherever possible, and reduce reliance on third-party applications. Focus on building scalable solutions that will serve your organisation for years to come.
He highlights data migration as one of the most underestimated challenges in SAP projects, planning for it early is crucial. Most importantly, every transformation effort must have a clearly articulated business case. Senior leaders should not only support the initiative but actively champion it, providing the vision and commitment needed to drive success.
This conversation is part of our expert-led series exploring digital transformation and enterprise technology. To read more interviews or find out how Cavendish Professionals supports SAP talent and transformation across industries, visit www.cavendishprofessionals.com.
