SAP Activate is SAP’s innovation adoption framework designed to simplify and accelerate the implementation of SAP solutions, including SAP S/4HANA, SAP Cloud solutions, and more. Central to the SAP Activate methodology are its structured deliverables — predefined work products that guide project teams through each phase of the implementation lifecycle.
This article delves into the key deliverables of SAP Activate, highlighting their purpose, components, and role in ensuring a successful SAP project.
Deliverables in SAP Activate are tangible outputs created throughout the project phases that document progress, decisions, configurations, and validations. They act as blueprints and checkpoints for project teams, ensuring clarity, quality, and alignment with business goals.
The SAP Activate methodology follows an iterative approach structured into four main phases:
- Discover
- Prepare
- Explore
- Realize
- Deploy (and Run)
Each phase produces specific deliverables tailored to project needs.
- Solution Brief: An overview document that outlines the business value, solution capabilities, and high-level scope of the SAP solution.
- Value Case: A document or presentation articulating the business benefits and expected ROI.
- Project Charter: Defines project objectives, scope, timelines, and governance structure.
- Project Plan: A detailed timeline including milestones, resource allocation, and key activities.
- Infrastructure Setup Documents: Technical blueprints for landscape, systems, and environments.
- Training Plans: Initial plans for end-user and project team enablement.
- Fit-to-Standard Workshop Results: Preliminary assessment identifying gaps and configuration needs.
- Fit-to-Standard Workshop Documentation: Detailed findings from workshops that analyze business processes against standard SAP capabilities.
- Solution Scope Document: Finalized list of included business processes and functionalities.
- Configuration and Customization Documents: Initial configuration guides and decisions for adapting standard SAP solution.
- Test Strategy and Plans: Testing approach, including integration and user acceptance tests (UAT).
- Configured System: SAP system configured according to Explore phase outcomes.
- Test Scripts and Results: Detailed test cases for functional, integration, and regression testing along with their execution outcomes.
- Data Migration Plan: Documents outlining data cleansing, mapping, and migration approach.
- Cutover Plan: Step-by-step plan for transitioning from legacy to new system.
- Go-Live Readiness Checklist: Verification document ensuring all aspects (technical, functional, training) are ready.
- Support Plan: Post-go-live support strategy including hypercare and issue resolution.
- Final Training Materials: Updated user manuals, quick reference guides, and training videos.
- Project Closure Report: Summarizes project achievements, lessons learned, and next steps.
- Guidance: Deliverables provide clear direction, minimizing ambiguity during implementation.
- Transparency: Stakeholders can track progress and risks through documented outputs.
- Quality Control: Testing and validation deliverables ensure the solution meets business requirements.
- Change Management: Training and communication deliverables facilitate user adoption.
- Documentation: Comprehensive records support future maintenance and upgrades.
- SAP Solution Manager: Central repository for managing deliverables and project documentation.
- SAP Best Practices Explorer: Provides prebuilt templates and accelerators for deliverables.
- Project Management Tools: Integration with tools like MS Project or Jira for tracking timelines and tasks.
- Collaboration Platforms: Use of SharePoint, Confluence, or SAP Jam for team collaboration and document sharing.
SAP Activate deliverables form the backbone of a structured, transparent, and agile SAP implementation. Understanding and effectively utilizing these deliverables enable project teams to deliver SAP solutions on time, within scope, and aligned with business objectives.
By embracing the SAP Activate deliverables framework, organizations can reduce implementation risks, improve stakeholder engagement, and accelerate value realization from their SAP investments.