Implementation Acceleration Techniques - beyond Agile methods

[janmusil]

Past few weeks were extremely busy with customer interaction at various events and while these events were exhausting physically they were enlightening for me and served as confirmation of direction we took with ASAP Methodology for Implementation when we launched its re-design last year. In interaction with methodology users and experts I was amazed at the reception the new ASAP methodology and concepts of BPM based implementation, value delivery and integration of various life-cycles generated.

ann.rosenberg/blog and jan.musil/blog introducing various aspects of methodology over the past few months in various posts and webinars. Today I want to spend some time on the topic of Agile methodologies and ASAP. My intent is not to start philosophical debate about agile vs. waterfall approaches, but instead I will offer a view on specific agile techniques we have brought into ASAP during its redesign. With these additions we have moved ASAP into the area of hybrid methods that leverage sound concepts and proven techniques to realize value and eliminate waste.

One of the key drivers for AcceleratedSAP (ASAP) Methodology and Business Add-Ons redesign was the economic climate that demands for a fast return on investment and lower total cost of implementation. It is also common to see the business requirements evolve or outright change during the project lifecycle due to change in business environment. One of the ways the new ASAP Methodology for Implementation addresses this area is through adoption of selected acceleration techniques and practices. These techniques are IP-Re-Use, Solution Demo, Iterative Build and Service components. They are complementary to each other and need to be tailored to the customer’s environment.

• IP Re-use - re-using knowledge and implementation assets from SAP Best Practices, Preconfigured solutions, ASAP Business Add-ons; Based on BC sets and Solution Documentation
• Solution Demo Approach - Early visualization of solution in Blueprint; Iterative development paired with conference room pilots
• Iterative Build and Test cycles -In the Realization phase teams are recommended to structure solution build into incremental build, test and validation cycles that may be time-boxed; culminating in integration end-to-end solution test
• Parallelization of Services - Scope is based on Areas of interest and pain points; Generally used in pre-sales or blueprint phase; n-Time Boxed Implementation Periods (4 weeks); Lab environment to configure specific solution or address specific business issue

All these acceleration techniques are complementary and should be tailored to the project situation and organizational culture. They are also included in the ASAP methodology and plays central role in enabling project acceleration.

Let's take a closer look at the Business Process Modeling add-ons of ASAP as an example of such acceleration techniques. Business Processes are the binding element for the implementation life cycle and they are the structure that process owners and consultants can relate to. Therefore, business processes help to translate business requirements into a solution.

However, business processes are not necessarily unique to a business and there is typically a fair amount of commonalities in processes within and across industries. As a response to this predictability, SAP develops predefined business process content that is being delivered as part of ASAP Business Add-Ons. These industry or solution specific packages contain content rich process information, including complete ARIS business process models to be imported into SAP Solution Manager.

The pre-defined process models help to jumpstart the project setup and also reduce the preparation time for Blueprinting workshops. To learn more about BPM in ASAP Business Add-Ons view the recoded session on “The first wave of Business Add Ons”

To review specific acceleration techniques refer to copy of ASAP methodology and acceleration techniques presentation we delivered during the Process World event in Washington DC. 

To learn more about acceleration techniques watch the replay of the SAP Inside session "Making the Most of Your SAP Solutions: Accelerated Implementation Techniques".