Successfully implementing complex SAP projects requires careful planning, precise execution, and a structured approach to overcome challenges. To support project managers and organizations in achieving these goals, SAP developed SAP Activate – a robust framework that serves as a roadmap for delivering high-quality SAP solutions. Combining best practices, advanced configurations, and a proven methodology, SAP Activate ensures a smooth and efficient implementation process while enabling continuous improvement. This framework is built on three core pillars: SAP Best Practices, Guided Configurations, and the SAP Activate Methodology, each playing a critical role in simplifying and optimizing project delivery.
At the core of the SAP Activate framework are SAP’s ready-to-run business processes, optimized specifically for SAP S/4HANA. These processes, the first pillar of the framework, are accessible through the SAP Best Practices Explorer, which provides standard business process flows, roles, responsibilities, test scripts, and more. These resources can be seamlessly integrated with a customer’s unique workflows.
To simplify system configuration, SAP introduces Guided Configurations, which enable both consultants and customers to tailor their SAP systems effectively. These configurations support the globalization and standardization of business processes by providing pre-developed settings that align with best practices across various industries.
The SAP Activate Methodology is SAP’s latest project implementation approach, designed to streamline the delivery of updates and solutions. Leveraging solution-specific roadmaps, the methodology ensures a structured process for implementing and continuously improving SAP projects and migrations, ultimately driving their success.
In the Discover phase, customers identify and select the SAP solution that best aligns with their business needs and goals. This stage often includes applying for a free trial solution, allowing customers to explore functionalities that meet their specific requirements and deliver optimal value. Westernacher supports this process by providing an industry-specific value proposition, ensuring the chosen solution is tailored to the customer’s unique context. By the end of this phase, the customer and sales team work collaboratively to define the implementation scope, establish project timelines, and agree on the target solution model. Enablement activities, such as utilizing a trial system, further facilitate informed decision-making, culminating in the milestone where the SAP solution is clearly defined.
The Prepare phase sets the foundation for a successful project by focusing on initial planning and preparation. During this phase, the project is officially initiated, with finalization of the project plan, identification and assignment of the project team, and the commencement of activities to ensure a smooth start. The rules of engagement and the next steps are defined, creating a clear path forward. The objective is to establish a shared understanding of the high-level project scope and mission. Key questions are addressed, such as “Who is who?”, “What are our ways of working?”, and “What tools will we use to achieve our goals?” The first key stakeholders, such as the Project Manager and Solution Architect, are introduced to the client, and the project is formally kicked off with the complete team in place. This phase also focuses on enabling the project team to ensure they are fully prepared to execute their roles. The milestone at the end of this phase is the formal project kick-off.
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The Explore phase focuses on performing a fit/gap analysis to validate the functionality of the SAP solution included within the project scope and ensure it meets the business requirements. During this phase, any identified gaps and configuration values are documented and added to the project backlog for resolution in the next phase. For on-premise implementations, the Explore phase has a broader scope than for cloud solutions. Industry and solution experts from Westernacher lead a series of structured show-and-tell sessions and solution design workshops. These workshops review the SAP solution’s best practice functionality, identify delta requirements or gaps, and document the conceptual design of the future SAP enterprise solution. The team meticulously records all functional and technical requirements, project issues, and gaps. By the end of the phase, the design is finalized and signed off, marking a key milestone in the project.
The purpose of the Realize phase is to develop and validate an integrated business and system environment through a series of iterative cycles, based on the business scenarios and process requirements defined in the previous phase. This includes loading data, executing adoption activities, and planning for operational readiness. The project team configures, tests, validates, and documents the solution in multiple iterations, working closely with business representatives to ensure alignment with backlog requirements. Each iteration’s results are released to business users for early access and time-to-value, with thorough end-to-end integration and user acceptance testing. The milestone of this phase is business approval for go-live.
In the Deploy phase, the production system is set up, customer organization readiness is confirmed, and business operations are successfully transitioned to the new system. End-users are trained by the client to effectively use the new software solution. A detailed cutover plan is created, outlining both technical and organizational activities necessary for a smooth system switch. Following business go-live, Westernacher provides intensive support during the Hypercare period. Optionally, we also offer Application Management Services (AMS) after Hypercare ends.
The purpose of the Run phase is to optimize the efficiency and automation of the solution’s operations. This phase focuses on ensuring the operability of IT systems, maintaining them in a functional and operational state to guarantee system availability and performance levels that support the enterprise’s business activities.
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