Life at SAP Implementation Project

Let’s try to give you a flavor of the phases or how is life at when implementing SAP, both from
Consultant’s deployed by Implementation Partner or as an SAP Coordinator or SAP resource deployed
at Client end. Following is the Accelerated SAP (called ASAP) methodology prescribed by SAP to follow
to achieve the goal of successful SAP ERP implementation.

Project Preparation
In this phase, overview sessions on SAP ERP are held to provide an understanding of specific module(s)
and functionalities, how they integrated with each other. It also includes preparation and finalization of
Project Management Office, basic amenities for instance Projector, meeting rooms, stationary and it
also includes identification of Process Experts, Power Users, End Users which will play a major role in
successful SAP ERP implementation.

Business Blueprint
In this phase, the existing business processes or business functions, i.e. AS-IS of the company are
gained and how the same will be mapped in SAP ERP, i.e. TO-BE is documented and proposed. In other
words, how business process owners will perform their business operations in SAP ERP system once the
SAP is implemented successfully.

Realization
In this phase, the SAP ERP system is configured in accordance with company’s business processes
agreed and signed off during the TO-BE workshops. Several rounds of testing are also held in this phase
where the users test the system and provide their sign offs confirming that the tested processes are in
conformity with the processes agreed during the business blueprint phase. Testing is carried out based
on different business process scenarios.

Final Preparation
The final SAP ERP system is made available to the business process owners. Before the user will enter
live and actual data, master data, legacy data and cut over numbers are uploaded in the system. This
is a very critical transition stage. Final round of SAP ERP system testing and end-users training can also
take place in this phase.

Go-Live and Support

This is the most critical phase of the project when users are entering live and actual data in the SAP
ERP and occasionally get stuck in the system. Helping users by quickly attending to any errors or
problems encountered ensures that the SAP ERP system runs smoothly.