Turning SAP + SAFe Transformation Complexity into Clarity —
Through Agile Operating Models
TRUSTED BY
Why SAP Transformations break at Enterprise Scale
SAP transformations don't fail because of teams or technology.
They fail when organizations scale without clear structure, priorities, and decision-making.
What works in isolated pilots breaks down once multiple teams, stakeholders, and dependencies are involved.
Without clear ownership, aligned planning, and strong leadership guidance, execution becomes fragmented, slow, and unpredictable.
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This is where my expertise makes the difference:
Designining and stabilizing Agile operating models for SAP and SAFe environments to restore clarity, focus, and execution capability at scale.
My Focus Areas
Designing and stabilizing agile operating models to enable effective execution at scale.
Agile Operating Models & Delivery Alignment
Large-Scale Agile Delivery & ART Stabilization
Transformation Governance & Leadership Alignment
Aligning strategy, governance, and execution across SAP and complex delivery environments.
Stabilizing execution across multiple teams, dependencies, and delivery cycles.
Establishing clear decision-making, priorities, and leadership structures for effective execution.
Engagement Entry Points
How I typically support SAP + SAFe Trransformations
SAP + Agile Operating Model Diagnostic
Purpose
Create leadership-level clarity on why delivery is not performing as expected, and identify the structural changes required to enable effective execution.
What this includes
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Review program structure, delivery model, and decision-making setup
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SAFe maturity and ART setup assessment
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Dependency mapping across Agile Teams
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Assessment of planning cadence and cross-team coordination effectiveness
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Identification of structural bottlenecks
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Evaluation of delivery transparency and reporting structures
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Outcome
A shared, fact-based understanding of what must change to enable effective execution.
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Typical engagement
Short-term, focused diagnostic
→ Often the starting point for larger engagements
SAP + SAFE Operating Model Design & Stabilization
Purpose
Design and implement a scalable Agile operating model for complex programs incl. SAP, enabling effective leadership alignment and execution.
What this includes
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Agile Release Train design
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Team topology aligned to value streams
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Definition of roles, responsibilities, and decision structures
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Setup of PI Planning and delivery cadence
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Alignment of tool structures (e.g. Jira, Polarion) with the operating model
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Design of reporting structures enabling end-to-end delivery transparency
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​Establishment of clear ownership and accountability structures
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Support during implementation and stabilization
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Outcome
A structured delivery model that enables coordinated, predictable program execution.
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Typical engagement
Medium-term advisory engagement
→ Often follows the diagnostic
SAP + SAFe Transformation Delivery Advisory
Purpose
Provide ongoing advisory support to ensure stable and effective execution and delivery based on the SAFe Framework.
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What this includes​
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Continuous evaluation of delivery performance and systemic bottlenecks
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Facilitation of resolution for critical cross-team dependencies
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Targeted coaching for Scrum Masters, Product Owners and RTEs to strengthen delivery capability
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Optimization of reporting and KPIs to support effective decision-making
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Ensuring end-to-end transparency of delivery performance across the program
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Support for leadership alignment and decision-making in complex delivery environments
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Outcome
Sustained delivery performance and increased confidence in execution.
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Typical engagement
Ongoing advisory relationship
→ Monthly or quarterly
ABOUT KRISTINA
Kristina Suchan supports organizations in designing and stabilizing SAP + SAFe operating models to enable effective execution at scale. Her work focuses on complex SAP transformation environments, including S/4HANA programs, where coordination across multiple teams, stakeholders, and systems is critical.
With extensive experience in enterprise-scale transformations, Kristina has worked across industries including aviation, rail, insurance, and retail. She brings deep expertise in SAFe, Lean Portfolio Management, and enterprise agility, and regularly operates in SAP-driven landscapes where organizational structures, governance, and delivery models must work reliably together.
Kristina is the author of several practical guides on enterprise agility and portfolio management. Her work combines strategic clarity with hands-on experience, offering leaders actionable insights to navigate complexity, improve execution, and steer transformation with confidence.
PUBLICATIONS
Kristina's publications offer clear, actionable guidance for organizations navigating agile transformations at scale, including:
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The Art of Mastering Lean Portfolio Management with SAFe Strategic alignment of portfolio governance, funding, and execution in SAFe environments.
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The Quick Guide to Lean Portfolio Management A concise, step-by-step introduction to Lean Portfolio Management, outlining five practical steps to get started.
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The Agile Release Train Guide Hands-on guidance for launching, and optimizing Agile Release Trains.
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From Data to Actions: Leveraging Flow Metrics to Drive Success with the SAFe Framework - A Manager’s Handbook Applying flow metrics to improve decision-making, identify bottlenecks, and optimize delivery performance.
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​Each publication is designed to support leaders, change agents, and agile practitioners in building adaptive, outcome-driven organizations.
Speaking & Thought Leadership
Kristina speaks at conferences, leadership events, and executive sessions on agile operating models and strategy execution at scale. Her talks are grounded in real-world transformation experience and designed to give senior audiences clear perspectives they can act on.
Topics include:
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SAP transformation delivery challenges
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SAFe in complex SAP environments
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Leadership alignment in large-scale delivery
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Managing dependencies and execution at scale
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Why execution breaks at scale, and what leadership must change
Let's Connect
I’m happy to discuss advisory engagements, speaking opportunities, or specific transformation challenges.
Connect with me on LinkedIn