Since you wouldnt 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 requirementsSAP implementation methodLogistical tasksSystem integration and contractingProject planningDocumentation and traceabilityWork stream modelBlueprinting best practicesSecurity and internal controlsSystem testingChange managementUser training

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.

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 2.1 Modifying Major Business Processes ... 31 2.2 Building New Skills in the Project Team ... 36 2.3 Transforming SAP into a Company Asset ... 39 3.1 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 4.1 Full-Scale Implementation Projects ... 65 4.2 Upgrade Projects ... 73 4.3 Pre-Built Package Projects ... 82 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 6.1 Integrator Selection ... 118 6.2 Integrator Contracting ... 127 6.3 Integrator Onboarding ... 139 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 8.1 Defining the Project Schedule ... 164 8.2 Setting Top-Level Requirements ... 175 8.3 Achieving Cost Savings ... 178 9.1 Documentation ... 184 9.2 Knowledge Management Strategy ... 187 10.1 High-Level Project Organization ... 200 10.2 Program Management ... 206 10.3 Functional Workstream Leads ... 210 10.4 Horizontal Workstreams ... 214 11.1 Project Charter ... 220 11.2 Oversight and Guidance ... 229 11.3 Risk Management ... 231 11.4 Team Rewards and Recognition ... 237 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 13.1 Blueprinting Sessions ... 262 13.2 Design Documentation ... 277 13.3 Localization ... 288 13.4 Closing the Business Blueprinting Phase ... 291 14.1 Transition to Realization ... 295 14.2 Organizing for Realization ... 304 14.3 Project Management ... 310 15.1 Configuration and Custom Development ... 329 15.2 Security Design ... 341 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 17.1 Data ... 380 17.2 Report ... 391 17.3 Electronic Data Interchange ... 400 17.4 Security and Internal Controls ... 407 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 19.1 Business Transformation ... 440 19.2 Change Impacts ... 442 19.3 Stakeholder Management ... 452 19.4 Organizational Design ... 456 19.5 Project Communication ... 459 20.1 Course Development ... 465 20.2 Trainer Preparation ... 474 20.3 Training Delivery Logistics ... 476 20.4 Post-Go-Live Processes ... 482 21.1 Cutover Processes ... 488 21.2 Go-Live Authorization ... 497 22.1 Final Go-Live Processes ... 503 22.2 Hypercare ... 506 23.1 The SAP Center of Excellence ... 528 23.2 Sustainment Governance ... 540 23.3 Continuing Company Projects ... 546