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ASAP Implementation methodology

Composition of the ASAP Methodology

SAP leverages a core set of methodologies and tools designed to deliver rapid, reliable results, and to help our customers get the most out of their solutions. These include the ASAP Methodology for Implementation (content that the project team follows to implement SAP software efficiently), and the SAP Solution Manager application management suite.

ASAP methodology for implementation v8 delivers structured methodology content — processes, procedures, accelerators, checklists, links to standard SAP documentation, etc. necessary for the implementation of SAP solutions.

The ASAP methodology for implementation v8 builds on solid foundation from ASAP 7 that includes transparency of value realization through consistent business case reflection. Efficient guidance for SOA, BPM and traditional implementation projects through the entire project life-cycle — from evaluation through delivery to post project solution management and operations. And it delivers revised content in all the traditional areas needed for efficient project teams — project management, solution management, organizational change management, training, blueprinting, configuration, testing, cutover planning and execution, and others.

ASAP 8 adds prescriptive guidance to the methodology through detailed description of tasks including accountability for their completion. This harmonized structure enables both project leaders and project teams to focus on information that is highly relevant for their role. ASAP 8 contains comprehensive description of deliverables and associated tasks, thus connecting the project management view with subject matter expert needs.

AGILE ASAP 8 METHODOLOGY

Businesses and project teams are striving for achieving high speed and the effectiveness in the deployment of business software to add value to the organization. That's why SAP has introduced Agile ASAP; a new, practical implementation methodology that allows you to implement operating functionality in short iterative cycles. In each cycle the team implements the most valuable and important functionality first. This enables you to generate results faster, gain immediate insight into the value, increase the flexibility of the implementation and improve progress monitoring.

View Agile ASAP 8

STANDARD ASAP 8 METHODOLOGY

ASAP 8 Standard takes a disciplined approach to project management, organizational change management, solution management, and other disciplines applied in the implementation of SAP solutions. The ASAP 8 is built around the SAP Advanced Delivery Management model and supports project teams with templates, tools, questionnaires, and checklists, including guidebooks and accelerators. ASAP 8 empower companies to exploit the power of the accelerated features and tools already built into SAP solutions.

View Standard ASAP 8

Benefits of the ASAP Methodology

The ASAP methodology gives you a comprehensive way to streamline the implementation, upgrade, and enhancement of SAP software. ASAP offers you the following benefits.

Reduced total cost of implementation by embedding the principles of SAP Advanced Delivery Management into a streamlined and modular implementation road map for ASAP
Choice of Agile or Standard implementation approach of your SAP Solution
Content-rich implementation accelerators, templates, and guides for implementation projects from strategy to operations
Transparent value delivery through consistent reflection of the business case
Efficient project governance, quality management, and guidance for Agile implementation projects, Business Process Management, and traditional implementation projects
Approach that combines user centric design, business processes and IT architecture
Coverage of the entire project lifecycle – from evaluation through delivery to post project solution management and operations

ASAP Implementation Phases

The individual phases of the ASAP Implementation Methodology are:

Phase 1: Project Preparation
During this phase the team goes through initial planning and preparation for SAP project.

Phase 2: Business Blueprint
The purpose of this phase is to achieve a common understanding of how the company intends to run SAP to support their business. In Standard ASAP 8 the result is the Business Blueprint, a detailed documentation of the results gathered during requirements workshops. In Agile ASAP 8 the result is a Baseline Build and Project Backlog reflecting the solution requirements prioritized by business value.

Phase 3: Realization
The purpose of this phase is to implement all the business process requirements based on the Business Blueprint or Project Backlog. The system configuration in Standard ASAP is done in two work packages: Baseline configuration (major scope); and Final configuration (remaining scope). In Agile ASAP project team splits Realization phase into multiple releases with number of time-boxed iterations focused on building up the functionality.

Phase 4: Final Preparation
The purpose of this phase is to complete the final preparation (including testing, end user training, system management and cutover activities) to finalize your readiness to go live. The Final Preparation phase also serves to resolve all critical open issues. On successful completion of this phase, you are ready to run your business in your live SAP System.

Phase 5: Go Live Support
The purpose of this phase is to move from a project-oriented, pre-production environment to live production operation.

Phase 6: Operate
The primary goal of this phase is to ensure the operability of the solution.

Each phase has a set of deliverables that are produced during the duration of the phase and serve as the input to follow-up phases. Each deliverable provides list of Outputs it consist of and Methods that are used to produce the deliverable.