ASAP Methodology in SAP Implementation

What is ASAP Methodology?

Accelerated SAP (ASAP) Methodology is the approach recommended by SAP for implementing ERP software in companies. SAP's experience in creating and implementing ERP software in various types of companies has resulted in a best practice that has proven its success based on their experience. ASAP Methodology helps SAP implementation provide effective, efficient and optimal results, especially in terms of time, cost, quality, suitability to needs and utilization of existing resources.

SAP implementation is a fairly large project and carries high risks. The success and suitability of SAP implementation with business needs is something that must be met. Moreover, SAP implementation and operations require very large costs. Therefore, the processes carried out from upstream to downstream must run optimally.

ASAP Methodology memiliki 5 fase, yaitu:

1.            Project Preparation

2.            Business Blueprint

3.            Realization

4.            Final Preparation

5.            Go-Live and Support

A more in-depth explanation of these phases will be explained below.

Project Preparation

In this phase, the company and related departments make initial planning and preparation for SAP implementation. The things that need to be done are:

Goal Setting.

Determine the goals and objectives (goals) of the SAP implementation project. It is important to remember that the company's expectations also need to be recorded because the company definitely has big expectations that must be realized when carrying out a large project.

Implementation Strategy

Determine and clarify the scope of SAP implementation and build the required project organization or committee as well as allocate resources within it.

Implementation Sequence

Determine the sequence of steps to be carried out.

Team

Form a project team, consultant or other team as needed.

Sign Off

Document the Project Preparation stage and ensure that the above stages must be approved by the company and the project team before moving on to the next stage.

Business Blueprint

This phase aims to equalize perceptions and views about how the company will implement SAP to support business processes. In this phase, the project team will carry out identification to find out the business processes carried out by the company. The result of this process is documentation regarding the business processes carried out by the company along with improvements that will be made with the implementation of SAP. This stage is very important because it determines the success of SAP implementation. The things that need to be done are:

Scope Document

The project team identifies all existing business processes using questionnaires or other methods as a communication medium with existing parts of the company.

As Is

The project team understands and understands the business processes carried out by the company (current state).

To Be

Map business processes into the SAP system and determine the expected conditions (future state) after SAP implementation based on the As Is conditions and objectives determined at the beginning.

Gap Analysis

Look for differences or distances between the company's current condition (As Is) and the expected company condition after SAP implementation (To Be). This distance or difference, called the gap, is then analyzed to obtain the steps needed to achieve the To Be condition.

Sign Off

Document the Business Blueprint stages and ensure that the stages above must be approved by the company and the project team before moving on to the next stage.

Realization

This phase aims to implement SAP based on the business needs and processes contained in the Business Blueprint. This phase has two stages that need to be carried out, namely:

Baseline Configuration (major scope)

The consultant team configures the basic system or baseline system.

Final Configuration (remaining scope)

The project team makes adjustments and improvements (fine-tune) to ensure that the company's business needs are met according to the plans that have been carried out.

Usually, functional and ABAP developers work in this phase.

Final Preparation

This phase is carried out as final preparation before the SAP system is ready to use (Go Live). The things that need to be done are:

1.            Unit Testing

2.            Integration Testing

3.            User Acceptance Testing

4.            Other tests that need to be carried out according to company needs.

5.            If an old system is used, data migration from the old system to the SAP system is carried out at this stage. Users must also be given training to use this SAP system.

Go Live and Support

This phase is marked by the start of using SAP in the company. The system needs to be monitored to find out and anticipate problems that may occur so that assistance (support) can be provided immediately. Apart from that, system optimization activities need to be carried out so that the system becomes more reliable. Find out other important things in SAP implementation in the following articles 4 Important Components in SAP Implementation and 8 Important Things in ERP System Implementation

Keuntungan Methodology ASAP ?

ASAP methodology covers the complete cycle of a project management starting from planning, management and implementation. This method also serves as a guide for Business Process Management as well as being service oriented. The following will explain the benefits of the ASAP Methodology, including:

• This methodology is oriented towards the concept of transparency, meaning that all processes carried out in it are based on facts and explain each point in detail so that business operations can be carried out efficiently and effectively. In addition, it also helps reduce implementation costs, time and risks.
• By implementing all operational processes and implementing well-organized project management, it can help empower knowledge about business management.
  
• ASAP uses information that is based on past experience. Therefore, in this way, this methodology also acts like a map that shows a complete picture of the project cycle.
  
• This methodology also helps in creating more job roles that a person may desire and provides a workable framework.
  
• Increase productivity by directing the parties involved, carrying out risk management and planning for better communication.
  

That is the explanation regarding ASAP methodology in implementing SAP. Before we implement this SAP system, it is a good idea to learn more about the implementation stages or methodology used. That is all and thank you