Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for Functional Consultant
A Functional Consultant is a professional who is responsible for providing expertise and guidance in the functional aspects of a specific business domain or software application. They help businesses configure and customize applications to meet their specific needs. In this blog post we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Functional Consultants.
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Main Responsibilities of Functional Consultant
The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Functional Consultant:
Advise
Advise customer on industry best practices.
Analyze
Analyze and resolve customer issues.
Analyze and solve complex problems, with the ability to implement resolutions.
Analyze data and be comfortable on data migration projects.
Analyze our business processes and existing data architecture.
Answer
Answer technical queries regarding architecture, design, performance, and scalability.
Assist in
Assist in converting legacy data into Workday.
Assist in identifying, qualifying and delivering ERP systems improvements.
Assist in identifying, quantifying and delivering SAP Plant Maintenance or other CMMS Improvement.
Assist in pre-sales activities such as product presentations and demos.
Assist in strategic research and design as directed.
Assist in the deployment and support of ServiceNow.
Assist Licensee development team to troubleshoot potential roadblocks and test solutions.
Assist Project Managers in project timeline discussions related to integrations.
Assist the production support team to resolve defects / issue (30%-40%).
Assist with Maintenance Management reviews.
Assist with the Implementation Maintenance Change Integration Management Programs as directed.
Author
Author and review functional specification documentation for implementation project teams.
Balance
Balance the delivery of multiple projects simultaneously.
Build
Build and embed capability and methodology within the Programme Team.
Build and foster internal consulting capability within the implementation team.
Build capability and capacity using External Suppliers / Partners.
Challenge
Challenge the Product team by sharing valuable feedback from clients.
Coach
Coach client resources around story and backlog management in an Agile environment.
Collaborate with
Collaborate with internal technical teams to facilitate / test issue resolution.
Communicate
Communicate and report project progress to appropriate parties.
Communicate testing activities and findings in oral and written format.
Complete
Complete data import process.
Complete required deliverables in alignment with project and business timelines.
Complete setup of Identity Sync data integration configuration.
Complete Technical Design Documents.
Complete testing efforts timely related to application patching, upgrades, modifications, etc..
Conduct
Conduct analysis on how our customers are using our features and produce appropriate documents.
Conduct hands-on configuration, testing and evaluation tasks to ensure quality and consistency.
Conduct knowledge transfer sessions and provide documentation.
Conduct solutions presentations and obtains customer acceptance to solution design.
Conduct technical impact analysis assessment with SAP functional consultant.
Conduct training sessions for superusers.
Conduct user and administrator training and producing supporting documentation.
Conduct workshops and ongoing trainings / update meetings with customers.
Conduct workshops / trainings to help customer boost adoption.
Configure
Configure and Customize SAP CPQ application.
Configure and Customize SAP Hana Callidus Cloud CPQ application.
Configure and support SAP CML including performing Unit testing.
Configure pre-packaged integrations based on the implementation needs.
Configure, Setup and Test All Payroll / Time Systems.
Connect
Connect to external services like DocuSign, Power BI and other internal company applications.
Contribute to
Contribute new ideas to influence the SAP capabilities.
Contribute to collaboration and constant innovation.
Contribute to eCommerce thought leadership at Salesforce.
Contribute to project teams through workshops and ERP implementations.
Contribute to the design and architecture to enable secure, scalable and maintainable software.
Create
Create and deliver presentations on technical concepts and results to stakeholders.
Create and manage Business Workflows.
Create process designs and facilitate process mapping across functional areas.
Create test cases for complex modules based on the defined test strategy for the assigned modules.
Create UAT (user acceptance documents) and test scripts.
Define
Define high-level technical architect.
Demand
Demand Planning (DP) , Supply Network Planning (SNP) and Production Scheduling.
Design
Design - Assist with design process to help reach desired solution.
Design Customer Processes, Configuration of the system and Identification of gaps.
Determine
Determine the current business process using BPMN.
Develop
Develop and manage the product backlog of stories.
Develop data conversion and testing strategies.
Develop detailed Functional specifications, Component Test plans and Configuration documentation.
Develop expertise in pharmaceuticals industry and business best practice.
Develop integration with external data sources like mySQL for near real time synchronisation.
Develop proof of concepts using the NetSuite platform.
Develop SAP functional skills and knowledge as required.
Develop strong skills with configurations for reports creation and reports modification.
Discover
Discover client's requirements in Operational areas through analysis and design workshops.
Discover client's requirements in Service, Sales & Marketing through analysis and design workshops.
Document
Document Business Requirements and Objectives.
Document functional designs, test cases and results.
Drive
Drive and participate in code and document reviews, mentoring team in best practices.
Drive customer functional requirements and eCommerce best practices adoption.
Drive the testing approach and test scripts documentation in his area of responsibility.
Enable
Enable automatic availability control / checking.
Ensure
Ensure accurate, compliant, timely valuations to our customers.
Ensure adoption of the solution for customers during operations.
Ensure quality and timely delivery of application support to end users.
Ensure that design aligns with GSK architectural requirements.
Ensure the SAP design is managed and controlled to maintain integrity of the template.
Estimate
Estimate development efforts as an input for project planning and prepare technical specification.
Execute
Execute system validation tasks as per predefined scripts when necessary and document the results.
Execute test cases, log the defects and drive the defect fixes to a resolution.
Execute test scripts required to support the SIT and UAT phases of the project.
Facilitate
Facilitate and collect business requirements.
Focus on
Focus on ensuring quality results are achieved for our clients.
Focus on scalability, security and availability of all applications and processes.
Gather
Gather intelligence & monitor KPIs on new features deployment.
Generate
Generate positive feedback from internal teams and leadership.
Get
Get ready to tackle numerous mission-critical company directives.
Handle
Handle multiple projects / technical tasks at any point of time.
Help
Help clients consistently meet / exceed their eCommerce goals and metrics.
Help to identify and drive CRM business development opportunities.
Help with Integration workshops to gather / clarify requirements.
Help with Pre-Sales activities.
Identify
Identify gaps, issues and work around solutions.
Identify issue pattern and work with product management and engineering team for system resolution.
Implement
Implement Design & UAT activities.
Influence
Influence and engage C-Level with authority and confidence.
Interpret
Interpret and translate business needs to technical requirements and accurate estimates.
Investigate
Investigate problems to establish real or hidden causes.
Lead
Lead and advise your team to support top performance.
Lead
Lead evaluation efforts for new products and / or functionality based on business requirements.
Lead PLM design through workshops and industry benchmarking efforts.
Lead resources in the implementation of technical solutions.
Lead the customer relationship with regular on-site visits during the implementation process.
Maintain
Maintain a comprehensive understanding of the SAP product set and its strategic direction.
Maintain an understanding of the relevant business models and strategic direction.
Make
Make changes to allow for new features.
Manage
Manage and advise on Infrastructure requirements.
Manage BFN process for Client products.
Manage Client System Roadmap.
Manage set-up of integrated master data.
Map
Map business processes to identify gaps, look for improvements, and document opportunities.
Map client business requirements, processes and objectives.
Master
Master data validation when errors occur (PP / DS fields, SNP horizon, PDS match to BOM, etc.).
Monitor
Monitor and ensure operational processes optimizing effectiveness and minimize risk.
Monitor and execute data load jobs.
Operate
Operate independently with minimal supervision.
Participate in
Participate in Functional Specification (Requirements document) development and review.
Participate in quality management reviews during design and build phases.
Participate in requirements, analysis and testing efforts.
Participate in Webinars planification and execution.
Participate within data migrations, integrations, report design and design of security.
Peer
Peer reviewing / QA-ing the work of team members.
Perform
Perform business requirements analysis and documentation.
Perform impact analysis of the change.
Perform SAP configuration changes to improve business procedures.
Person
Person will perform QA / Testing of Oracle ERP Technologies.
Plan
Plan, analyze, design, develop, implement, maintain and support SAP configuration changes.
Prepare
Prepare and present training materials.
Prepare and run the workshops with the client / partner.
Prepared
Prepared to work within a pre-defined template.
Prepare
Prepare functional specification.
Prepare high level design for small to large complexity projects involving SAP CRM.
Prioritize
Prioritize and complete assignments independently.
Prioritize clients' interest and proactively listen to ensure that work exceeds their expectations.
Produce
Produce high level design documents and participate in solution walkthroughs.
Produce required documentation & user specs.
Promote
Promote the vision and shared values of our company.
Prototype
Prototype, set up (including operation documentation) , and test the application.
Provide
Provide ad-hoc training and user support as required.
Provide configuration related support, maintenance, research and development of the SAP System.
Provide consulting services on both new implementations and existing support projects.
Provide data / analytics / assessment information for use across the Programme.
Provide detailed process improvement ideas.
Provide documentation of possible interfaces to and from FMMI system.
Provide end user training and support.
Provide examples of when you have helped deliver challenging projects successfully.
Provide functional and technical expertise to clients during the implementation process.
Provide information and advice on technical and functional aspects of the company.
Provide leadership in the development of new SAP solutions.
Provide ongoing Production Support - including problem management.
Provide pre-go-live and post-go-live end-user support.
Provide software / tools for use by the Programme.
Provide subject matter expertise for products and solutions.
Provide technical and functional mentoring to our customers.
Provide the Engagement Manager with status reports and keep them apprised of overall project status.
Provide training clients' teams as required.
Recommend
Recommend appropriate changes to business processes.
Recommend opportunities for streamlining, consolidating and optimizing processes.
Research
Research, document, configure and test all functional elements involving rules and policies.
Review
Review and provide feedback on Test plans, scripts, scenarios and test cases.
Review existing core financial and feeder systems, processes, and infrastructure.
Review existing solutions and review new systems and provide guidance for improving the systems.
Review for accuracy high dollar, high risk, complex transactions to ensure accuracy and compliance.
Review transfer orders between business units, synchronization of items, and foreign exchange.
Run
Run process reports and execute STO Tracker SharePoint Updates.
Seek
Seek direction regarding pending tasks.
Share
Share best practices and provide workarounds for functional requests when they arise.
Support
Support Project Manager by acting as main point of contact for clients throughout all project phases.
Support the development of testing scripts and train client for testing of developed solution.
Support user acceptance testing with Clients.
Test
Test business processes on new ERP to ensure requirements are met.
Track
Track monthly metrics & prepare VP level presentations.
Track and qualify customer / partner requests.
Transform
Transform clients' needs into Dynamics 365 solutions in collaboration with the Architect.
Translate
Translate business requirements to functional designs and manage the configuration of SAP.
Translate user stories / requirements into the "HOW” by helping to create specs.
Troubleshoot
Troubleshoot demand signal problem (past due orders, master data, PDS mismatch, etc.).
Understand
Understand customer business issues and challenges as it relates to the Nakisa solutions.
Verify
Verify User Acceptance Testing (UAT).
Work with
Work closely with Business Analyst and QA team developing a test strategy (particularly UAT).
Work closely with members of development, technical and business teams.
Work in a professional office and / or remote office environment.
Work well in both individual and team settings both onsite and remote.
Work with client business owners & partners to develop AEM implementation strategy & roadmap.
Work with the client and partner on validation steps and handover.
Work with the client to gather user feedback on implemented functionality.
Write
Write, configure and test Functional Specifications.
Write the deliverables (report, specifications, ...).
Most In-demand Hard Skills
The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Functional Consultant:
Consulting
Payroll
Customer Facing
Functional
Implementation
MM
SD
External Vendor
SQL
Controlling
Coupa
Gep Smart
Integration
Most In-demand Soft Skills
The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Functional Consultant:
Written and oral communication skills
Interpersonal skills
Analytical ability
Problem-solving attitude
Presentation
Self-starter
Multi-task
Time-management
Priority management
Work independently with little direction
Attention to detail
Client management
Team player
Creative
