ASAP Methodology Roadmaps and Phases

( SAP Community: http://scn.sap.com/community/asap-methodology)

ASAP Methodology Framework

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

ASAP methodology framework v8 delivers structured methodology content — processes, procedures, accelerators, checklists, links to standard SAP documentation, etc. necessary for the implementation of SAP solutions. 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 methodology framework v8 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 methodology framework v8 contains comprehensive description of deliverables and associated tasks, thus connecting the project management view with subject matter expert needs.

The ASAP methodology provides users with structured, repeatable and prescriptive way to implement SAP solutions. The methodology is structured around key project phases each containing list of deliverables and supporting tasks for implementation. Along the hierarchy users can find accelerators, templates and samples to support their implementation project 

ASAP 8 is offered in two versions for design-based projects - the Agile ASAP 8 for project teams using SCRUM based, time-boxed, iterative delivery approach and Standard ASAP 8 for projects following traditional SAP deployment approach.  

Activities:-

Summary of all of the activities that form the SAP implementation process.

(A) Project Preparation:-

Sub Activities:-

1. Craft solution vision: Refine and communicate a SOLUTION VISION of the future-state of the SAP solution, to sketch a design that meets both business and financial requirements. The focus should be on the company’s core business and how the SAP solution will better enable that core business to be successful. Some of the guidance and key requirements for how to put together an ERP and SAP business case for ROI, business benefit, and success includes focusing on competitive pressures, value propositions, and how the solution enables success.

2. Design and initially staff the SAP TSO: Design and staff the key positions of the SAP Technical Support Organization (TSO), the organization that is charged with addressing, designing, implementing and supporting the SAP solution.

(B) Sizing and blueprinting:-

Sub Activities:-

 1. Perform cost of ownership analysis: Perform a COST OF OWNERSHIP ANALYSIS to determine how to get the best business solution for the least money i.e. to determine where and when the costs are incurred within the context of the SAP solution stack.

2. Identify high availability and disaster recovery requirements: Determine all HIGH AVAILABILITY and DISASTER RECOVERY REQUIREMENTS, to plan what to do with later downtime of the SAP system.

3. Engage SAP solution stack vendors: Select the best SAP hardware and software technology partners for all layers and components of the SAP SOLUTION STACK, based on a side-by-side sizing comparison.

4. Staff TSO: Staff the bulk of the TSO, i.e. fill the positions that directly support the near-term objectives of the implementation, which are to develop and begin installation/implementation of the SAP data center.

5. Execute training: Train the various members of the SAP TSO, like data center specialists, high availability specialist and network specialists and train the end-users to give all the required SAP knowledge and skills. 

6. Setup SAP DATA CENTER: Build a new SAP DATA CENTER facility or transform the current data center into a foundation capable of supporting the SAP SOLUTION STACK.

7. Perform installations: Install the (My)SAP components and technological foundations like a web application server or enterprise portal.

8.  Round out support for SAP:
Identify and staff the remaining TSO roles, e.g. roles that relate to help desk work and other such support providing work.

(C) SAP functional development (Realization):-

 Sub Activities:-

 1. Address Change Management: Develop a planned approach to the changes in the organization. The objective is to maximize the collective efforts of all people involved in the change and minimize the risk of failure of implementing the changes related to the SAP implementation.

2. Address SAP systems and operations management: Create a foundation for the SAP systems management and SAP computer operations, by creating a SAP OPERATIONS MANUAL and by evaluating SAP management applications.

3. Perform functional, integration and regression tests: Test the SAP business processes, by executing functional tests to ensure that business processes work, integration tests to ensure that the organization’s business processes work together with other business processes and regression tests to prove that a specific set of data and processes yield consistent and repeatable results.

(D) Final Preparation:-

Sub Activities:-

1. Perform systems and stress tests: Plan, script, execute and monitor SAP STRESS TESTS, to see if the expectations of the end users, defined in service level agreements, will be met.

2. Prepare for cutover: Plan, prepare and execute the CUTOVER, by creating a CUTOVER PLAN that describes all cutover tasks that have to be performed before the actual go-live.

(E) GO-Live & Support:-

Turn on the SAP system for the end-users & Troubleshooting of day-to-day business activities & job logs.

Methodology Benefits

• Enables consistency, reduces complexity and increases quality by creating and delivering services on one common platform.
• Scalable -- ASAP has been re-designed to support all types of services delivery from RDS deployments to large scale implementations
• Prescriptive and Comprehensive -- guided work procedures for project team, deliverables for project managers and accelerators for all users
• Innovative -- Agile Deployment, Application Visualization, Cloud-based Deployment
• Sound Practices -- Project Quality Gates for traditional and RDS projects
• Knowledge Capture and Re-use -- leverage knowledge from thousands of implementations of SAP solutions

Highlights of ASAP 8 Methodology

• ASAP 8 is built on solid foundation of ASAP 7 methodology that delivers holistic approach to SAP implementation focused on Business Process Management, Application Lifecycle Management, Project Management and Value Management
• ASAP 8 combines the strenght of ASAP with the innovations from SAP Rapid Deployment Solutions Delivery Methodology and ASAP Focus Methodology
• Over 180 SAP Services and RDS use ASAP 8 WBS
• ASAP 8 helps accelerate time to value with new content for Agile implementation and Application Visualization (with SAP Application Visualization by iRise) that are now built into the methodology
• ASAP 8 helps establish solid governance and quality in project with tools like Quality Gate Checklist for traditional and RDS projects
• ASAP 8 delivers value added accelerators like templates, samples and white papers
• ASAP 8 provides comprehensive deliverable descriptions including task list with accountable roles

Simplified Rapid Deployment Solution Experience / Assemble to Order Project

 The success of your SAP solution is to a large degree determined by the speed and the effectiveness of the software implementation to add value to your organization. That is why SAP has introduced the Simplified Rapid-deployment Solution Experience. It combines the ability to explore SAP solution capabilities, select the appropriate pre-assembled RDS as a starting point for your project, and implement the solution in your business with the help of structured implementation approach - ASAP 8 Methodology for Simplified Rapid-deployment Solution and integrated operation supported by SAP Solution Manager.

 

Simplified Rapid Deployment Solution Experience / Assemble-to-Order Project Methodology Phases - 

1. Project preparation - This phase provides initial planning and preparation for the project. Each project has its own unique objectives, scope, and priorities. The deliverables described in this phase assist in completing the initiation and planning steps in an efficient and effective manner – like setup of project governance, project plan and project schedule are prepared at this stage.
2. Scope validation - The purpose of this phase is to achieve a common understanding of how the company intends to run SAP to support their business. It focuses on the rapid setup of environment that is available for validation workshop with business users to confirm scope and determine delta requirements that will be realized in the next phase to enhance the baseline provided by pre-assembled RDS.
3. Realization - The purpose of this phase is to implement all the business process delta requirements defined during the Scope Validation phase. The team configures, develops, tests and documents the solution in series of time-boxed iterations. Before the solution is released to next phase it is fully end-to-end integration tested and accepted by end users.
4. Final preparation - The purpose of this phase is to complete the cutover activities (including technical and load testing, end user training, system management and cutover rehearsal activities) to finalize your readiness to go live. The Final Preparation phase also serves to resolve all remaining critical issues. On successful completion of this phase, you are ready to run your business in your live SAP System.
5. Go-live support - The purpose of this phase is to move from a project-oriented, pre-production environment to live production operation and provide sustained support to business users to aid their transition into the new environment.
6. Operate - The purpose of this phase is to fine-tune the application lifecycle standards, processes and procedures established during the project and align them with operation needs. The central operation platform is SAP Solution Manager, which leverages the documented solution for system operations.

Standard ASAP 8 Methodology

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

 Standard ASAP 8 Methodology Phases --

1. Project preparation - During this phase the team goes through initial planning and preparation for SAP project.
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 Methodology the result is the Business Blueprint, a detailed documentation of the results gathered during requirements workshops
3. Realization - The purpose of this phase is to implement all the business process requirements based on the Business Blueprint. The system configuration in Standard ASAP 8 Methodology is done in two work packages: Baseline configuration (major scope); and Final configuration (remaining scope). During this phase the solution is also tested.
4. Final preparation - The purpose of this phase is to complete the final preparation (including technical 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.
5. Go-live support - The purpose of this phase is to move from a project-oriented, pre-production environment to live production operation.
6. Operate - During this phase the system is operated with the help of the central operation platform, SAP Solution Manager, with the documented solution based on the transferred project documentation.

 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.

Work Streams

The ASAP 8 Methodology is structured around the key project work streams that are outlined in the picture below. For each work stream, the methodology provides the number of deliverables that are to be produced in each phase of the project. 

Implementation Process Acceleration:-

• Acceleration is based on sustainable assets and the re-usable content, as well as tools and technology that provide a structure for re-use.
• Acceleration can be accomplished through the elimination of unnecessary work steps within the implementation life cycle.
• Acceleration of implementation and lowering of overall cost can often best be realized through getting it right the first time, eliminating the need for rework and associated delays.
• Acceleration can be achieved through compression techniques such as parallelization of activities and new work shop approaches.

Major Acceleration Techniques:-

(Post Ref:- www.scn.sap.com)