Is now the time to fully adopt the SAP Activate Methodology?

I recently had a conversation with a friend who's been immersed in the SAP field for quite a while.

Our talk centred around common challenges encountered in project implementations, challenges that I've also faced repeatedly. These range from dealing with tight deadlines and change management issues to scope definition and the need for customizations.

In 2015, SAP rolled out its premier product, SAP S/4HANA, available for both on-premise and cloud deployments, introducing the well-suited SAP Activate Methodology alongside it.

Before this, the Accelerated SAP Methodology (ASAP), which adopts a linear and sequential waterfall approach, was the standard. ASAP's structure was rigid; the project's scope was set in stone from the beginning, and user engagement was minimal until the project's advanced stages.

Each phase required thorough documentation, complicating change management, which could only be addressed near the project's conclusion through strict change control procedures. ASAP was tailored for earlier SAP versions and products, notably the widely recognized SAP ECC.

However, innovation is a constant in the ERP industry, leading to the continual release of new products to meet contemporary challenges. SAP has consistently innovated, updating existing offerings and launching new ones to maintain market relevance.

This necessitates a periodic shift in methodologies, allowing organizations to have clear guidelines on starting and concluding projects, including detailed plans for each phase's initiation and completion.

It's not that ASAP Methodology isn't useful or applicable anymore, but the ongoing changes make a transition towards the Activate methodology a logical step, particularly for those seeking clarity on the latest SAP offerings.

Currently, the Activate Methodology stands out as the preferred approach for implementing SAP's latest solutions, including SAP S/4HANA and others like SuccessFactors, Concur, Fieldglass, Ariba, and the SAP Business Technology Platform. It's crucial for organizations, project managers, consultants, and process owners to fully adopt the Activate Methodology.

While challenges like tight timelines, change management, and customization complexities persist, Activate aims to proactively tackle these issues.

The Activate Methodology unfolds through six phases: Discover, Prepare, Explore, Realize, Deploy, and Run, each meticulously designed to guide the implementation process.

Moreover, a vital consideration is the preliminary setup of an SAP project team for an S/4HANA implementation. Firstly, establishing the application implementation team (or scrum team) should reflect the client's specific modules/process areas.

For instance, in implementing Materials Management, the team formation follows a modular approach, assigning roles based on the consultants' expertise, here, in MM.

Furthermore, organizing the team around end-to-end processes, such as the Design-to-Operate process in S/4HANA, encourages a cross-functional team dynamic as it involves integrations across different modules, aligning with S/4HANA's overarching objectives.

Additionally, a support team should be assembled to assist the main implementation team in a supplementary capacity, without the need for involvement in scrum ceremonies or other core project activities.

For those interested in learning more about SAP Activate across various SAP solutions, the SAP Roadmap Viewer is an excellent resource.

Embracing change is not optional; it's essential for staying competitive and innovative. I urge you to remain inquisitive and proactive.

That concludes today's discussion. In our next edition, we'll delve deeper into how the Activate Methodology can be leveraged for project success.

Do you believe it's high time for a universal shift to the Activate Methodology? Or perhaps, you prefer a hybrid (waterfall + agile) approach?

I'm eager to hear your perspectives on this topic.

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