If your company is planning a migration to SAP S/4HANA, it’s essential to follow a structured roadmap to ensure an efficient and smooth transition. Each step of the process plays a critical role in preparing for and executing the migration, and understanding the impact of each step will help your company navigate the complexity of the project. 

Here, we describe the key phases of the SAP Activate methodology recommended by SAP and the essential data to ensure the success of your migration to S/4HANA. 

Phase 1: Discover – Feasibility Analysis 

The “Discover” phase involves an in-depth feasibility analysis. In this stage, legacy systems are assessed and business objectives for SAP S/4HANA are defined. A solid business case is created to explore opportunities for process improvements and the financial benefits of migration. 

Key tools: 

• SAP Transformation Navigator to understand the impact on processes and systems. 

Practical example: 

Companies that invest time in this upfront analysis quickly identify high-impact areas and create a customized roadmap that accelerates the transition process. 

Phase 2: Prepare – Technical Planning and Infrastructure 

In this phase, the focus is on preparing the IT infrastructure and detailed project planning. This includes setting up servers, databases, and networks, as well as creating a detailed project plan that covers both technical and functional requirements. 

Main tools: 

• SAP Readiness Check to validate the compatibility of existing systems and anticipate potential risks. 

Strategic tip: 

Companies that utilize the preparation phase effectively can avoid technical issues during migration by ensuring that the infrastructure is ready for S/4HANA. 

Phase 3: Explore – Workshops and Process Adjustments 

At this stage, workshops called Fit-to-Standard, where business processes are adjusted to align with native S/4HANA functionalities. The goal is to minimize customizations and keep the environment as close to the standard as possible. 

Tools used: 

• SAP Solution Manager for process tracking and identifying customization needs. 

Key Insight: 

Unnecessary customization can add complexity and cost to a project. Therefore, aligning processes to the S/4HANA standard is an effective strategy to maintain efficiency. 

Phase 4: Execute – Configuration and Data Migration 

In this critical phase, the configuration of SAP modules is carried out, with data migration and systems integration. Tools such as SAP Data Migration Cockpit and the SAP Fiori help ensure that the migration process is efficient and accurate. 

Extensive testing: 

The IT team performs integration and regression testing to ensure system stability and performance. 

Practical example: 

Companies that adopt a robust testing plan avoid critical issues at Go-Live, saving time and resources in the long run. 

Phase 5: Deploy – Go-Live and Monitoring 

The cutover to the production environment occurs at this stage. The operation in Go-Live is initiated, and the S/4HANA environment goes into production. During this period, it is essential to perform continuous monitoring to quickly identify and resolve any integration or performance issues. 

Support tools: 

• SAP Solution Manager e SAP Focused Run help ensure business continuity and compliance with established SLAs. 

Practical Insight: 

Proper support during Go-Live minimizes operational impacts, ensuring a smooth transition. 

Phase 6: Run – Continuous Operation and Optimization 

After Go-Live, the continuous operation phase begins. The S/4HANA system is monitored to ensure operational efficiency and continuous improvements are applied. Technologies such as AI e Machine Learning can be integrated to further optimize processes. 

Practical example: 

Companies that perform continuous optimizations after Go-Live experience up to a 20% annual improvement in their operational processes. 

Essential Market Data and Insights 

Before starting your migration to S/4HANA, it is important to keep in mind some market data and insights that can affect the success of the project: 

1. Awareness and Early Education 
   Data: IT projects focused on change management are six times more likely to succeed (Source: Prosci). 
   Recommendation: Host webinars and workshops with SAP experts to ensure your team is fully prepared. 
2. Strategic Alignment 
   Data: 70% of digital transformations fail due to lack of stakeholder engagement (Source: McKinsey). 
   Tip: Conduct cross-departmental brainstorming sessions to align strategic objectives with business needs. 
3. Senior Management Support 
   Data: Projects with active management support are 50% more likely to succeed (Source: PMI). 
   Recommendation: Prove ROI and expected operational improvements to gain senior management support. 
4. Preliminary Assessment 
   Data: A well-executed assessment evaluation can reduce project time by up to 30% (Source: Gartner). 
   Tip: Be sure to conduct a detailed assessment to identify challenges before starting the project. 
5. Testing and Validation 
   Data: A robust testing strategy can prevent failures that would cost five times more to fix after implementation (Source: IBM Systems Magazine). 
   Tip: Implement iterative testing cycles to cover all scenarios. 

Post-Go-Live Support and Ongoing Updates 

After Go-Live, it is critical to ensure that the system continues to operate optimally. Creating a long-term support plan with regular reviews ensures that the company can take advantage of SAP’s ongoing innovations. 

Practical example: 

Companies that conduct periodic reviews experience a continuous performance improvement of up to 20% (Source: Accenture). 

Transforming Your Business with S/4HANA 

Each phase of the migration to S/4HANA is essential to ensure a smooth and efficient transition. With the right support, such as that offered by MIGNOW, your company can reduce implementation time, minimize risks and achieve the desired results. 

Are you ready to migrate to S/4HANA? Click here to access our complete roadmap and discover how MIGNOW can help accelerate your digital transformation.