The Project Preparation Phase is a critical initial step within SAP Solution Manager’s project management and implementation methodology. It sets the foundation for a successful SAP implementation or upgrade by ensuring that all necessary preconditions are met and that the project team is well-organized and equipped to proceed efficiently.
SAP Solution Manager plays a pivotal role in managing this phase, offering tools and frameworks that guide project teams through essential preparation activities, helping reduce risks and align stakeholders early on.
The Project Preparation Phase occurs right after project approval and before the actual realization phase begins. It involves setting up the project’s scope, objectives, infrastructure, and governance. The goal is to clarify expectations, secure resources, establish project standards, and prepare the technical environment for subsequent activities.
Within SAP Solution Manager, this phase is part of the Activate Methodology or the ASAP Methodology (depending on your approach), where it ensures a structured and consistent launch for SAP projects.
SAP Solution Manager allows you to create and manage projects centrally using the Project Administration functionality. Here you can:
Early in the preparation phase, documenting the current (“as-is”) and target (“to-be”) business processes is crucial. Solution Manager’s Solution Documentation component helps capture process flows, system landscapes, and customizations. This documentation becomes the backbone for subsequent phases.
Solution Manager facilitates scope management through its integration with project management and requirements tools. This enables:
SAP Solution Manager helps with:
During project preparation, SAP Solution Manager’s Risk Management and Issue Management modules help identify and track risks and challenges, allowing early mitigation and ensuring project stability.
The Solution Manager integrates with project scheduling tools, helping project managers plan tasks, assign resources, and monitor progress from the start.
The Project Preparation Phase is the cornerstone for any successful SAP implementation or enhancement project. Leveraging SAP Solution Manager during this phase ensures a well-structured project launch, providing governance, documentation, and technical readiness that pave the way for smooth realization and deployment.
By focusing on thorough preparation, organizations can reduce project risks, improve communication, and set a strong foundation for delivering business value through SAP solutions.