ASAP Methodology for Implementation

The ASAP methodology for implementation is a phased, deliverable-oriented methodology that

streamlines implementation projects, minimizes risk, and reduces total cost of implementation. ASAP
takes a disciplined approach to project management, organizational change management, solution
management, and other disciplines applied in the implementation of SAP solutions. The methodology
supports project teams with templates, tools, questionnaires, and checklists, including guidebooks and
accelerators. ASAP empowers companies to exploit the power of the accelerated features and tools
already built into SAP solutions.
Benefits of ASAP include:
Faster implementations with streamlined and focused methodology
More reliable projects, thanks to proven tools, accelerators, and best practices
Lower risk
More efficient use of resources
Reduced costs
Effective project management based on Project Management Institute standards
Phases
The ASAP methodology delivers the following phases:



The ASAP methodology is structured around the key project work streams that are outlined in the
picture below. For each work stream, the methodology lists the number of deliverables that are to be
produced in each phase of the project.


The deliverables in later phases leverage or build upon deliverables completed in earlier stages. The
roadmap is structured as a work breakdown structure (WBS) that represents a complete list of
deliverables that need to be completed by the project team.
The ASAP methodology for implementation projects represents a standardized work breakdown structure
that provides the foundation for defining implementation project work in a deliverable-oriented,
hierarchical manner and managing the project work to completion.
ASAP methodology contains a standard set of templates, samples, accelerators, guidelines, and
checklists for use by project teams in effectively managing and completing SAP solution implementation
projects.


















Project Preparation

The project preparation phase provides initial planning and preparation for the project. Although each
project has its own unique objectives, scope, and priorities, the deliverables outlined below assist in
completing the initiation and planning steps in an efficient and effective manner.




The major work streams for this preparation are:
Project management
Organizational change management (OCM)
Training
Data management
Business process management
Technical solution management
Integrated solution readiness



Business Blueprint

The purpose of this phase is to create the business blueprint, which is a detailed process-oriented and
technical documentation of the results gathered during requirements and design workshops. A blueprint
consists of multiple documents illustrating how the company intends to run its business using SAP
solutions.




Blueprinting is dedicated to supporting value delivery. Project success depends on a clear definition of
value, establishment of a permanent benchmark, and continuous measurement against this benchmark
throughout the implementation lifecycle. Blueprinting delivers the blueprint documents, incorporating
business requirements and solution design. A blueprint depends on full dedication and commitment of all
stakeholders for approval and sign-off.

The Blueprint specifies
Business Requirements
Business Process Design
Solution Design (including a fit gap analysis)


Realization

The purpose of the realization phase is to implement the business scenario and process requirements
based on the business blueprint completed in the previous phase.




Objectives of this phase include:
Establishment of the solution landscape
Implementation of the final solution in the development environment
Overall testing of the solution within the quality environment
Release of the solution for production (live) operations
Delivery of training materials
Preparation for data migration and data archiving
Identification of value delivery concepts
Performance testing
The major work streams that are developed for the realization phase are:

Project management
Review of project management plans for revision, adjustment, and execution of the plans
Organizational change management (OCM)
Completion of OCM deliverables and activities for readiness and contingency
Training
Completion of end-user training materials, trainer preparation, the training environment, and data to
support training
Data management
Preparation for legacy data migration and plans for data archiving
Business process management
Configured processes and monitoring to ensure consistency and continuity in the solution
Technical solution management
Design, setup, and strategies for enablement of an ongoing robust environment to support the final
solution
Integrated solution management
Completion of functional testing, performance testing, user acceptance testing, regression testing,
and preparation for production cutover
























Final Preparation

The purpose of the final preparation phase is to finalize readiness of the solution and its supporting tools
and processes for production go live. This includes, but is not limited to, system tests, end-user training,
system management, and cutover activities (including data migration). The phase deliverables also serve
to enable the resolution of all crucial open issues. On successful completion of this phase, the business is
ready to run the live SAP software system.

During this phase, the following activities are also completed:
Ensuring the execution of organizational change management (OCM) plans
Ensuring functional and technical support for the production system



The major work streams that are developed for final preparation are:
Project management
Review of project management plans for revision or adjustment and execution of the plans
Organizational change management
Final check that the business is prepared to utilize the solution effectively
Training
Completion of end-user training and functionality for keeping training material current.
Production support readiness
Readiness to support the solution in production both functionally and technically
Approved technical and operational tests
Recording the successful completion of system and performance tests in readiness for the production
environment
Production cutover
Timely and accurate completion of cutover to production, including manual and automated data
migration steps











































Go-Live Support

The purpose of the go-live support phase is to provide support for the solution during the period
immediately following production cutover. Exceptional items such as additional production support,
exceptional business monitoring processes, and extraordinary technical support are planned and
executed in this phase. At the end of the designated extra-care period, sustaining production support
processes planned in final preparation and executed as part of go-live support become the core support
for continuous improvement in the ongoing solution.

In addition, the disposition of all issues encountered in the transition to the new solution is determined
and documented. Processes are established to enable ongoing knowledge support, including setting up
go-live training sessions and ensuring that training materials are kept up to date. In addition, SAP
Solution Manager content is moved from project status to solution status. When these deliverables are
complete, sign-off occurs to demonstrate phase completion.




The major work streams developed for the go-live support phase are:
Project Management
Review of project management plans leading to conclusion of project-oriented activities for the
respective project scope
Organizational Change Management
Items intended to ensure acceptance of the solution and lessons learned from the project
Training
Delivery of final remedial or post-go-live training and. establishment of processes to maintain training
documentation
Production Support
Execution of support for the solution in production both functionally and technically followed by
transition from extraordinary go-live support to total reliance on standard support processes and
staffing
Transfer to Solution
Completion of project-oriented activities in SAP Solution Manager for the respective project phase
and full transition to solution support




















Run

Solution operations were initially set up during the implementation project. The primary goal of this phase
is to further optimize and automate the operability of the solution. Operability is the ability to maintain IT
systems in a functioning and operating condition, guaranteeing systems availability and required
performance levels to support the execution of the enterprises business operations. It is recommended
that you start by assessing the current state of operations in general and identify areas for improvement.
For implementations that are also focused on the delivery of value associated with a business case and
associated KPIs, PPIs, and key process changes, the Run phase also will include the establishment of an
effective approach for monitoring, managing and optimizing achievement of business benefits. This will
involve the establishment of the necessary reporting capability, referred to as the Value Dashboard, to
support measurement of results. It will also include establishment of a value focused organization to
ensure that the roles, responsibilities and processes are in place to:
monitor the achievement of the defined and agreed to business value
identify actions and interventions required to ensure that business value is achieved
refine the business case as required, including revision of business benefits and associated
timing
identify additional business benefit objectives as appropriate
To ensure the operability of the SAP solution you have implemented, we recommend that you use
the SAP standards for solution operations(see the SAP Service Marketplace extranet
at http://service.sap.com/supportstandards). You need to ensure that daily operations are performing
properly and that the originally designed operations processes are optimized and adapted to new
challenges. The Run SAP methodology was set up to support customers in scoping, design, setup, and
optimization of these standards. Run SAP methodology is part of SAP Enterprise Support services.
The ASAP methodology implementation roadmap addresses operation standards as they apply to
implementation phases.



At the start of the run phase, the SAP standards for solution operations are partly implemented as they
were considered during the implementation project. To optimize operation of the productive solution, it is
recommended that you assess current operations and identify the applicable SAP standards for solution
operations. Each standard methodology within the Run SAP methodology is assigned as an accelerator
to the deliverables in this roadmap phase, categorized by design, setup, and operation phases.
For further support on services and training, please refer to the respective accelerator section via the
roadmap for the Run SAP methodology For information about the relationship of Run SAP methodology
to the IT infrastructure library (ITIL), see the linked nodes.

The major work streams in the run phase are:
Project management
Introduction of the approach for optimized solution operations, including the deliverables assessment
and scoping, project quality gate, and handover into production deliverables
Governance model for operations
Description of organizational conditions, including insight into customer center of expertise and SOA
readiness
End-user support
How to use incident management to support business users carrying out their day-to-day activities
Change management
How to handle changes with minimal risk, using change request management, change control
management, and test management
SAP application management
How to manage SAP applications for optimal business support, using solution documentation and
root-cause analysis
Business process operations
How to deal with business-critical processes, using exception handling, data volume management,
and job scheduling management, as well as how to manage the measurement and achievement of
agreed upon value associated with the implementation
Custom code operations
How to handle custom code optimally, using custom code management
SAP technical operations
How to administer and monitor the IT system landscape in a secure environment
Technical infrastructure
How to manage the underlying infrastructure to run SAP applications
Training
How to deliver final remedial or post-go-live training and how to establish processes to maintain
training documentation