The SAP Project

Since you wouldn't begin a hike without a map, consult this book before starting your next SAP implementation project. Help your business team prepare for and participate in the SAP project journey! Get an early read on timelines, processes, responsibilities, and potential setbacks. Understand how your implementation, upgrade, or migration is structured, how to assemble the deliverables, and how to dodge common pitfalls. With this preview of what to expect, what questions to ask, and when to take which steps, you can execute planning, go-live, and post-go-live activities without tripping up or getting lost.Topic Highlights • Project requirements• SAP implementation method• Logistical tasks• System integration and contracting• Project planning• Documentation and traceability• Work stream model• Blueprinting best practices• Security and internal controls• System testing• Change management• User training Highlights: Project requirements SAP implementation method Logistical tasks System integration and contracting Project planning Documentation and traceability Work stream model Blueprinting best practices Security and internal controls System testing Change management User training

All technical topics explained from the business perspective

Autorentext
Gerald Sullivan has a 25-year background in implementations. He has operated from the systems integrator side, but most of his experience has come from managing very large-scale SAP projects for implementing companies. Industries involved include life sciences, consumer-packaged goods, electronics, and financial services. His past experience as a professor in graduate schools of management and as a quality improvement executive contribute to a unique perspective and broad contextual knowledge of the challenges of implementation. He has a doctorate from the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. Dr. Sullivan is the president of SAP Global Consultants, a consultancy offering project management advisory services to implementing companies. He can be reached at jerry@sapglobalconsultants.com.

Inhalt

Acknowledgments ... 15

1. Surviving in SAP Projects ... 17

1.1 Why Are SAP Implementations So Difficult? ... 17

1.2 Levels of Preparation Required ... 20

1.3 What this Book Will Do for You ... 22

1.4 Factors Critical to Success ... 23

1.5 How the Book Will Be Organized ... 26

2. How an SAP Implementation Changes Business ... 29

2.1 Modifying Major Business Processes ... 31

2.2 Building New Skills in the Project Team ... 36

2.3 Transforming SAP into a Company Asset ... 39

3. The ASAP Methodology ... 43

3.1 ASAP Components ... 45

3.2 Phase One: Project Preparation ... 50

3.3 Phase Two: Business Blueprint ... 52

3.4 Phase Three: Realization ... 54

3.5 Phase Four: Final Preparation ... 56

3.6 Phase Five: Go-Live and Support ... 58

3.7 Quality Gates ... 60

4. Types of SAP Projects ... 63

4.1 Full-Scale Implementation Projects ... 65

4.2 Upgrade Projects ... 73

4.3 Pre-Built Package Projects ... 82

5. Start-Up Logistics ... 89

5.1 Project Preparation Timeline ... 90

5.2 Project Meeting Schedules ... 92

5.3 Headcount Forecasting and Ramp-Up Planning ... 96

5.4 Initial Planning for Integrator Selection ... 99

5.5 Project Procurement ... 108

5.6 Space Planning for Project Activities ... 112

5.7 Preliminary Project Budgeting ... 113

6. Systems Integrator Selection and Contracting ... 117

6.1 Integrator Selection ... 118

6.2 Integrator Contracting ... 127

6.3 Integrator Onboarding ... 139

7. SAP's Role in the Project ... 141

7.1 Consultant Resources ... 142

7.2 Custom Development ... 144

7.3 Software Fixes ... 147

7.4 Training ... 149

7.5 Technical Services ... 154

7.6 Value Management ... 158

8. Project Planning ... 163

8.1 Defining the Project Schedule ... 164

8.2 Setting Top-Level Requirements ... 175

8.3 Achieving Cost Savings ... 178

9. Knowledge Management ... 183

9.1 Documentation ... 184

9.2 Knowledge Management Strategy ... 187

10. Project Organization ... 199

10.1 High-Level Project Organization ... 200

10.2 Program Management ... 206

10.3 Functional Workstream Leads ... 210

10.4 Horizontal Workstreams ... 214

11. Project Governance ... 219

11.1 Project Charter ... 220

11.2 Oversight and Guidance ... 229

11.3 Risk Management ... 231

11.4 Team Rewards and Recognition ... 237

12. Building the Right Project Team ... 241

12.1 Team Recruitment and Selection ... 243

12.2 Onboarding the Project Team ... 249

12.3 Delivering Project Results ... 255

12.4 Roll-Off and Reintegration ... 257

13. Business Blueprinting ... 261

13.1 Blueprinting Sessions ... 262

13.2 Design Documentation ... 277

13.3 Localization ... 288

13.4 Closing the Business Blueprinting Phase ... 291

14. Realization ... 293

14.1 Transition to Realization ... 295

14.2 Organizing for Realization ... 304

14.3 Project Management ... 310

15. Configuration and Custom Objects Build ... 327

15.1 Configuration and Custom Development ... 329

15.2 Security Design ... 341

16. Systems Testing ... 355

16.1 Structure of Systems Testing ... 356

16.2 Systems Testing Processes ... 361

16.3 Using Testing Systems ... 372

16.4 Systems Test Entrance and Exit Criteria ... 374

17. Data, Reports, EDI, and Security and Internal ... 379

17.1 Data ... 380

17.2 Report ... 391

17.3 Electronic Data Interchange ... 400

17.4 Security and Internal Controls ... 407

18. Building System Environments ... 417

18.1 The SAP Landscape ... 419

18.2 Environment and Client Structure ... 422

18.3 Infrastructure Build and Test ... 431

18.4 Performance and Failover Testing ... 434

19. Change Management ... 439

19.1 Business Transformation ... 440

19.2 Change Impacts ... 442

19.3 Stakeholder Management ... 452

19.4 Organizational Design ... 456

19.5 Project Communication ... 459

20. Continuous User Training ... 463

20.1 Course Development ... 465

20.2 Trainer Preparation ... 474

20.3 Training Delivery Logistics ... 476

20.4 Post-Go-Live Processes ... 482

21. Cutover Planning ... 485

21.1 Cutover Processes ... 488

21.2 Go-Live Authorization ... 497

22. Go-Live and Hypercare ... 503

22.1 Final Go-Live Processes ... 503

22.2 Hypercare ... 506

23. Sustainment ... 527

23.1 The SAP Center of Excellence ... 528

23.2 Sustainment Governance ... 540

23.3 Continuing Company Projects ... 546

The Author ... 549

Index ... 551