5 Phases of ASAP methodology in SAP Implementation.

What is ASAP Methodology Roadmap?

The Accelerated SAP methodology roadmap constitutes a stepwise guide
incorporating project experiences right from the start of R/3. The roadmap brings in
a multiple number of tools, information and accelerators to assist team members
with the implementation of R/3. Each phase of the process ends with a quality check
that helps monitor the deliverables and other factors of critical success. ASAP project
management methodology is a PC package and can be worked even before installing
a R/3 System. Overall, the ASAP techniques continuously strive to optimize the SAP
system.
ASAP roadmap is divided in five phases of implementation, each offering detailed
plans to assist in documentation, recommendations and implementation of SAP
systems. Basically it is more about streamlining the already functional SAP tools,
methods, accelerators and templates.
Phase 1: Project Preparation
This phase is about the initial planning and preparation to set ASAP goals. The phase
follows the following three steps:
1. Clarifying scope of implementation
2. Establishing the team committees, teams (core, project and consulting)
3. Defining the sequence of project implementation
These are standardized steps of Phase 1. However modifications (additions) can be
made as per quality procedures of the partner.
Phase 2: Business Blueprint
The aim of this phase is to arrive at a common understanding concerned with the
procedures intended to support the project and run SAP. The Business Blueprint is a
detailed documentation of all requirements arrived at during the initial brainstorming
and initiation workshops. This is also where the project team revises its objectives
and goals while setting a schedule for each.
Phase 3: Realization
This phase is concerned with implementation of all business process requirements
and is based upon Phase 2. Two work packages define the system configuration
methodology: Baseline, concerned with the major scope and Final Configuration,
concerned with the remaining scope. Further, project managers need to come up
with configuration documentation to be signed off by the client.
Phase 4: Final Preparation
The final preparation involves testing, system management, cut over activities and
end user training that showcases the teams readiness to go live. This phase serves
to answer all critical issues concerning the project management. Successful

completion of Final Preparation ensures that the business ready to be run on the live
SAP System.
Phase 5: Go Live and Support
This phase is the journey from a pre-production environment to a live project
operation. The most critical elements in this phase concerns with the setting up of
production support, monitor system transactions and optimize the system
performance.

Advantages of ASAP Methodology

The ASAP Methodology covers the entire project life cycle right from the initial
evaluation via delivery and till post project management. Further, ASAP is concerned
with the process and value of the application life cycle. This method is leaner than
the original SAP and this increases the practicality of implementation. The ASAP
roadmap also entertains a transparent value delivery system that consistently
reflects upon business care while acting as a guide for SOA (Service Oriented
Architecture) and BPM (Business Process Management).

Proven and transparent approach that facilitates the project team to collaborate
efficiently thus reducing implementation costs, time and risks
Sensible risk management
Better knowledge management wherein SAP solutions helps organize, implement
and meet business objectives
Steering committee tools
Better results because ASAP methodology is based on the experience of others
the roadmap requires both soft skills and hard facts
Project times are almost brought down to half
Better communications planning
Combination of all best practice tools including ITIL, PMI, Internal SAP and others

Conclusion
ASAP is increasingly being used in al, project management practices. The whole idea
of ASAP is leveraging the extensive experience with SAP techniques and create a
knowledge base that shares the roadmap to best practices. It is realized that more
than 68% of all corporate projects fall short of budget and deadlines, and thus fail to
deliver the expected results. According to reports by the MITSloan Management
Review, nearly $150 billion IT projects in the U.S. have failed in the last couple of
years. ASAP could be the right solution and it is being widely used by corporate to
strengthen their IT projects.