Difference between SAP Management of Change and SAP Engineering change Management

[rohan_somji]

Hello,

As I keep working in SAP MOC one of the common question that comes to me is how is SAP MOC different than SAP ECM.

In MOC we have initiator who creates change request for lets say Equipment or Functional Location. The we have a reviewer, Approver, Executor and closure stage. We have status management and workflow.

In ECM we create a change number and assign it to lets say Material BOM. Then we can start the workflow and approvers. We also have status management.

So process wise please let me know the difference between SAP MOC and SAP ECM.

Also if you can give me some examples for both that will help. Thanks.

Regards,

Rohan

[michaelf_ · Accepted solution]

Dear Rohan,

this is a question which pops up from time to time. Therefore, I have to mention that the statement below only represents my personal point of view as a consultant who has worked with both Management of Change, and Engineering Change Management. All examples below are just a small section of the possible use cases.

SAP Management of Change has its focus on Operational Safety and is defined by OSHA's Process Safety Management standards. Therefore, it manages modifications and deviations of process chemicals, technology, equipment, procedures, and changes to facilities that affect a covered process. Often, we distinguish between three general types of changes:

• Technical changes (changes or deviations to operating design limits, equipment specifications, composition or use of process chemicals, process design facility layout),
• Administrative changes (material change, controlled document, or critical document changes not already included on a technical change)
• Organizational Change (change to organizational structure or reporting relationshiop; loss, transfer, or delegation of responsibilities)

Engineering Change Management has its focus on Functional Safety and is defined by various standards, such as IEC 61508, which focuses on Products or Components. Therefore, it manages changes to a Bill of Material, Router, Work Instructions, and so on. Typically, we distinguish between a number of general types of changes:

• Engineering changes (changes or deviations to manufacturing process, product design, components)
• Production changes (transfer of production to LCC)

From a Process point of view, distinguishing MOC and ECM is not that easy. If we are talking about a simple change process, which you have outlined above including an Initiation, Review, Approval, Execution, and Close-Out, both solutions have their means to realize/implement such a scenario. However, it gets more tricky if we look deeper into the processes. As an example, MOC determines required functions, reviews, authorisations, and implementation steps (primarily) using checklists, whereas ECM uses the BoM, or a product architecture to do so.

Both SAP Management of Change and SAP Change Record (ECM) are part of SAP S/4HANA 1809 (and all following releases as of 25.04.2021). Let me give a couple of examples and how they were realized using one of the modules:

• Chemical Industry, scope included equipment modification, safety bypass, and other technical changes. The customer business team came from an engineering and process safety background. Module of choice: MOC
• Manufacturing Industry, scope included machine modificiation, maintenance modifications and other engineering changes. The customer business team came from a quality management and production background. Module of choice: MOC
• Manufacturing Industry, scope included component changes, supplier changes. The customer business team came from a development and production background. Module of Choice: ECM
• Oil/Gas Industry, scope included Process Safety Management. Module of choice: MOC

If you are is part of an EHS implementation project, MOC is most likely the module of choice because of the Process Safety Management background. If you are part of a PLM implementation project, ECM is most likely the module of choice because of the development/production background.

In doubt, I would recommend to reach out to the SAP Solution Management Team to clarify.

With kind regards,

Michael

[rohan_somji · Accepted solution]

Hello Michael,

Thank you for the explanation. So SAP Change record which is a part of Change management now in S4 HANA is the new version of SAP Engineering Change Management from 1809 or both are different in any ways?

1.If they are different then what differentiates them.

2. If Change Management is the path forward then do we propose clients to move to change management in S4 HANA projects from 1809? Do we have migration strategy here?

3. What happens to SAP ECM from 1809 then? Do we still have it as an app or Webgui transactions?

Kindly let me know.

Regards,

Rohan

[rohan_somji · Accepted solution]

Hello Michael,

Can you kindly answer my query. Thanks.

Regards,

Rohan

[michaelf_ · Accepted solution]

Dear Rohan,

for any questions regarding the different versions of PLM Engineering Change Management, I have to refer to the PLM section of answers.sap.com. Alternatively, you can have a look at the Product Availability Matrix (PAM) or get in touch with the Solution Management team.

With kind regards,

Michael