Customizing SAP solutions is a fundamental activity in SAP implementation projects that allows organizations to tailor standard SAP software to meet their unique business needs. Within the SAP Activate methodology, customizing is a structured process that happens primarily during the Realize phase, guided by business requirements identified in earlier phases.
This article explores the concept of customizing in SAP projects, its significance within SAP Activate, and best practices for effective and controlled customization.
Customizing refers to the configuration of SAP standard functionalities through system settings without modifying the underlying source code. It involves adjusting parameters, defining business rules, and setting up organizational structures to ensure the SAP solution aligns with specific company processes.
Common customizing tasks include:
In SAP Activate, customizing is part of the Realize phase, where solution design turns into a working system. It bridges the gap between Fit-Gap Analysis conducted in the Explore phase and the final solution delivered at go-live.
Start with SAP’s preconfigured best practices and model companies as a baseline for customization, minimizing the need for changes.
Whenever possible, adapt business processes to fit standard SAP functionalities rather than customizing excessively.
Take advantage of SAP Activate’s guided configuration apps and task lists to ensure consistent and validated settings.
Record all customizing changes systematically using SAP Solution Manager or project documentation tools.
Validate customizing settings early and often during sprint cycles to catch issues before deployment.
Establish governance for controlling customization changes to avoid scope creep and ensure quality.
It’s important to distinguish between customizing and custom development:
SAP Activate encourages minimizing custom development by maximizing the use of customizing and standard capabilities.
Customizing SAP solutions is a vital step within the SAP Activate methodology that enables organizations to tailor SAP software effectively and efficiently. By following best practices and leveraging SAP’s guided configuration tools, project teams can deliver solutions that align with business needs while maintaining flexibility and ease of future maintenance.