As project manager you are starting the S/4HANA implementation project.
Where do you get your information, where can I find my input sources and what is done before?
Your first starting point is naturally the methodology SAP Activate. This can be found on the SAP roadmap viewer (
https://go.support.sap.com/roadmapviewer).
You choose your roadmap and see all necessary activities or steps you must take, starting from the first project phase “Prepare”.
In the first phase of SAP Activate “Discovery” a lot of activities are already done, as part of the value proposition, sales cycle. These outputs are very valuable for you and provides you already a jumpstart of the project. In the jungle of information, it is key to search and find the right information.
Let me focus on 2 transition scenarios’: System conversion (migration) and new implementation.
System conversion (migration)
In the pre-phase of the project a lot of information is already gathered. The current systems provide knowledge for the migration. By using the following 3 key tools:
- Transformation Navigator,
- S/4 HANA readiness check and
- SAP Spotlight tool with the Business Scenario Recommendation (BSR)
you gain the needed input from solution point of view.
New implementation
For a similar view on the landscape for new implementation get access to the documents of the sales cycle. SAP architects often design the system landscape based on the business values and needs. By using the Digital Discovery Assessment tool (DDA) scoping of the business process is done. This is a very good starting point for the Busines Driven Configuration questionnaires (BDC) in the prepare phase. A bit later, the tools like SAP Cloud ALM and the new kid on the block; the Central Business Configuration (CBC), can be filled easy with the process scope based on this input.
The human factor
Stakeholder management is known to most of you. Organize the proper governance. Identifying the involved people from your company, partner(s) and SAP during the sales cycle should not be too difficult. So do not forget anybody and reach out to the SAP team.
Besides knowing the right people, you make time to gain the proper buy-in of all involved employees. Organization Change Management (OCM) and communication around it is a winning factor. Prepare everybody with the right mindset. This can be done the fun way by using gamification; the free SAP S/4HANA cards game or SAP education S/4HANA simulation game.
Another option is by using a trial system or reference system (
https://cal.sap.com).
Lesson Learned
The biggest lesson learned is take you time in the prepare (and explore) phase. Do not take shortcuts and run the quality gate in each phase. Looking at SAP Activate with some many years of experience, this will save you time and money in the later stages.
As said: “Well begun is half done”.
