Defining the Standardized Framework in the RISE with SAP Methodology

The RISE with SAP Methodology augments the existing SAP Activate roadmap tasks and deliverables by adding activities that focus on gathering important information prior to the implementation, then onboarding the project team and ensuring the team is familiar with the clean core-related activities and how to complete them. With clean core activities and quality gates as checkpoints, the RISE with SAP methodology enables improved business agility, shorter upgrade cycles, and faster adoption of innovation and new functionality.

In the Discover phase, valuable information is captured while working with the customer. This information is documented and handed over to the implementation team to set the direction for the project and provide critical insights into the customer’s planned journey. The onboarding team and customer success managers play a crucial role in gathering this data.

In the Prepare phase of the SAP Activate Methodology, a dedicated Onboarding Advisor from SAP will host four 1:1 sessions to introduce the customer and core project team (including Project Manager from partner implementation team or SAP) to the RISE with SAP Methodology, concepts of "Clean Core", and how to trigger the initial provisioning of systems via SAP for Me.

Additional live webinars are hosted to cover onboarding topics, and a detailed handbook is available in the RISE with SAP Onboarding Resource Center.

Throughout the remaining phases of the implementation (Explore, Realize, Deploy, and Run), the Project Manager of the implementation (partner or SAP) verifies completion of tasks for each phase through Clean Core Quality Gates. These check-points include questionnaires filled out by the Project Manager through SAP Cloud ALM. After completion, the questionnaire is submitted to SAP’s Enterprise Support team. This team then provides a feedback report with 1) recommendations based on the responses to the questionnaire, and 2) recommendations based on the available data of the customer’s system. These reports are reviewed between the RISE with SAP Enterprise Architect from SAP and the Project Manager of the implementation team (partner or SAP). This continuous cycle of reflection and review is intended to keep the system in the best possible state to consume upgrades and innovations faster.

Watch the video to get an overview of the RISE with SAP Methodology Standardized Framework.

The standardized framework leverages an enhanced SAP Activate project roadmap and begins with the Discover phase. The customer’s existing IT architecture, business processes and operations are analyzed to refine the target scope and value proposition for the future implementation. Documents referred to as "artifacts" are completed by the pre-sales and/or sales people working with the customer to gather their requirements and technical architecture needs. These artifacts are handed over to the implementation team once the implementation project begins to create a smooth transition from the Discover phase to the Prepare phase.

In the Prepare phase, a series of five calls are led by the Onboarding Advisor from SAP to introduce the customer to concepts of the RISE with SAP Methodology and introduce them to some of the key tasks that will be competed throughout the implementation.

Watch the video to get an overview of what’s covered during the onboarding calls during the Prepare phase.

The RISE with SAP Methodology provides a consistent framework that supports customers and partners in their move to RISE with SAP, ensuring smooth and effective transformations. A key element of this methodology is the creation of a Clean Core Success Plan, which serves as a guide to the tasks and deliverables that must be completed throughout the implementation.

SAP Cloud ALM is the tool used to complete iterations of the success plan during implementation, along with documenting the completion of tasks and deliverables throughout each phase of the implementation. The success plan includes over 150 recommended clean core tasks and a detailed runbook, enabling precise progress monitoring throughout the transformation journey. To maintain integrity and alignment with transformation goals, the methodology incorporates proactive and iterative quality gate checks. These checks occur at each phase, covering essential clean core dimensions and key transformation enablers. This iterative validation process helps prevent issues and mitigates risks early.

Watch the video to get an understanding of how SAP Cloud ALM is used to facilitate project management and completion of the success plan throughout the implementation, including setting up a project, reviewing pending tasks, assigning tasks to roles, establishing the Clean Core runbook, and generating a Clean Core report.

Access the SAP Cloud ALM Launchpad here.