SAP Implementation Roadmap and Project PlanSAP Implementation Phases i.e ASAP methodology

ASAP methodology (AcceleratedSAP) : A comprehensive solution for the introduction of the R/3 System in your enterprise. ASAP and most of its tools can be used independently of an R/3 installation. The tools available for ASAP are:

1. Project Estimator, an internal SAP tool which enables SAP consultants to accurately gauge the required resources, the costs and the time frame of implementation. The Project Estimator takes into account the project scope and several project and risk factors.

2. Concept Check Tool, a tool enabling you to carry out quality checks on the project preparation, technical infrastructure and R/3 configuration settings. This is done mainly during the first two implementation phases of the R/3 project. In this way you are alerted to potential data volume and configuration conflicts that could lead to performance issues if not addressed.

3.Implementation Assistant: The ASAP navigation tool that accompanies you through the five phases of implementation down to the task level. It includes a description and a detailed "how-to" for each task in the Roadmap. Along with that, many tools, templates and documents are hyperlinked to the task. The Implementation Assistant contains the following elements:

Generally ASAP incorporates standard design templates and accelerators covering every functional area within the system, as well as supporting all implementation processes. SAP Project Implementation is one of the components of Project Management and required a great degree of project related Knowledge such as Project Management, Change Management, Risk Analysis and Review Programs.

ASAP Implementation Roadmap and Project Plan. The Roadmap contains the five phases namely,

1.Project Preparation Phase – First Phase of SAP Implementation. In this phase, following are discussed and documented ,

• Project Planning & Procedures

• Project Team Members & their Training

• Project Kickoff /Start off /Sign on

• Technical Requirements

2.Business Blueprint Phase - In this phase,  all the details of the projects are set, The project manager from implementers side and from client side, then the whole team is selected of both sides, sometimes there are interviews of consultants as well from the client and sign up of the project is done and also each modules consultants will sign up if the project start has big difference in dates. This  AS-IS process (existing), the MM consultant and power users from client sit down and  jot down all the current settings of the client ,and decides and researched how their current system is configured, and active settings for client process in SAP are framed i.e.Org. Str.  like  no.of plants, purchase organizations, pur.groups, material groups, material types,no.range for master record,  document types ,document types for PR,PO,contract, Framework order(Blanket P.O), Source Lists, MRP type, subcontract, consignment process etc.

Once you get all the data in AS-IS, you create blueprint based on this information which will contain every info, i.e. how many plants will be created, what numbers, how many storage locations with names and numbers for each plant, how many purchase organization with details, purchase groups, document types of prs, pos, with number ranges, release strategy, and total process flow in this documentation and what can and what cant be configured in SAP, thus the TO BE pre-stage to finalized  document for client business Process) . Here client views your document and if there are any reservations they are pointed out, if any deletion addition is needed to the document they are notified to the consultants, necessary changes are made to the blueprint and this up/down in changes keeps on going, until the blueprint is signed(Finalized document of the project)detailed study of business processes and business requirements are undertaken by the Project Team members. This is the phase where Project Team Members (SAP Consultants along with Project Manager) interact with respective

Core Team Members (Non SAP Consultant) or Process Owners. The whole requirements are gathered in this phase and following are discussed and documented,

• Project Management

• Organizational Change Management

• Training

• Develop System Environment

• Organizational Structure Definition

• Business Process Analysis

• Business Process Definition

3.Realization Phase - In this phase, all the business and process requirements are implemented as documented in Business Blueprint. SAP R/3 system is configured step by step in two work packages, Baseline and Final configuration. How these configurations will be done and how it will be tested.

• Baseline Configuration and Confirmation

• System Management

• Final Configuration and Confirmation

• Development of external Programs & Interfaces

• Unit Testing & Documentation

• Final Integration Test

• Business Scenarios & Process Documentation

• End User Training & Documentation

• Quality Check

4.Final Preparation Phase - During this phase, following activities are discussed, completed and documented, successful completion of these activities leads to transition of all configurations settings to live R/3 System

• System Management

• Stress & Volume Tests

• Cutover Strategies & Plans

• End User Training

• Quality Check

5.Go Live and Support Phase – This is phase where all configurations/customizations are transported to live production operation and business starts all its activities in the SAP R/3.

During this phase, all the problems/issues related to hardware, network, operating system, database, training, and application system are addressed by the project team members and they help the end users in achieving their day to day task/assignments. This phase is further divided as:

• Application Production Support and Maintenance

• Project Implementation End

5.Continuous Improvement Phase – Towards continuous improvement and to overcome the organizational, business & technology changes the followings are covered under this phase:

• Post go-Live Support

• Improve System performance