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