Different Types of SAP Projects and How to Implement Them

SAP implementation calls for a methodical approach. Depending on the nature and complexity of their business processes and conventions, or because of political and environmental constraints, businesses that choose SAP might employ a variety of roadmaps to install SAP in their organisation. To meet these diverse needs, various SAP project types have arisen.

Big Bang Project

This kind of project seeks to launch all modules simultaneously across all departments. The entire range of the business’ financial and logistical procedures are implemented using the SAP life cycle. Since there is just one implementation lifecycle to complete, this strategy can be utilised for low complexity implementations and smaller enterprises to keep costs down.

Phased Project

An alternative to the “Big Bang” technique is a phased project, where further integrations are introduced later once a first set of modules are developed. For instance, a business might decide to implement financial and analytical modules like Finance (FI), Controlling (CO), and Human Capital Management (HCM) in the first wave, and then schedule the addition of logistics modules like Materials Management (MM), Production Planning (PP), and Sales & Distribution in the second wave (SD). They might decide to create add-ons, interfaces, or reporting tools in the third phase.

Roll Out Phase

Defining and implementing centralised processes at the central office before cascading or deploying them at many subsidiaries is known as a roll-out project. For instance, a business might start the SAP rollout at its main office. The big bang or phased method may be used for this first implementation.

A global template or business blueprint design document is established by the headquarters and adjustments are implemented through localization in a roll-out project. The term “statutory requirements” refers to the unique set of tax, customs, and legal requirements that each nation possesses.

Upgrade Project

SAP also regularly publishes new versions and upgrades, much like any other piece of software, programme, or operating system. The term “Enhancement Packs” refers to modifications to the current version. During off-peak hours, only the technical staff may carry out technical updates. Functional updates could provide new features or eliminate outdated features or transactions. Therefore, implementing a functional upgrade necessitates a mini-project.

Expansion Project

As a business expands, SAP expansion initiatives might be implemented. A roll-out project or a more constrained expansion project may be chosen, depending on the scope. Several scenarios necessitate an expansion project, such as:

The company has created or bought a new business in the same sector (airline merger)
In another area, the organisation has created a new legal entity (new hotel opens)
The business has set up a new production facility and needs a new plant for logistics allocation and planning.

SAP Implementation Lifecycle

All different kinds of SAP projects follow a certain phase of the full SAP implementation lifecycle. Below is a summary of the key stages of the Accelerated SAP (ASAP) methodology:

The process of project preparation includes creating the project plan, choosing the project team members, and gathering resources.
The Business Blueprint phase compares the SAP processes (TO BE) with the current business processes (AS IS), documents them both, and identifies any gaps.
Realization is the stage of the construction process where SAP is set up, tests are run, and the system’s conformance to the blueprint is approved.
In order to prepare for go-live, final preparation comprises loading and testing master and historical data in the productive environment.
As soon as users start entering real data in production, “Go-Live” and “Support” start, and the project team needs to keep an eye on it to handle system and training-related concerns.