The SAP Solution Manager (SSM) toolbox supports the Accelerated SAP (ASAP) project methodology for cost efficient SAP® upgrade or implementation projects.
SSM comes with best practices like predefined project roadmaps or SAP® reference models. Additionally, SSM tools like service desk and change request management (ChaRM) greatly support project realization and solution testing.
SSM helps SAP® clients to progress from typical project scenarios to a managed IT solution with optimized end-to-end process support. The SSM project blueprint and configuration constitutes a superior documentation which after project finalization builds the foundation of subsequent solution management scenarios. In the application lifecycle an up-to-date system documentation is ensured by SSM maintenance projects with ChaRM support.
ASAP project methodology
ASAP involves six project phases from project preparation, blueprinting, realization, final preparation, go live support to the run phase with the transition into the operational IT support.
SSM supports these phases with project tools. In the preparation and blueprinting phases the Profiling for SAP® and BPM tools ease and improve the requirements analysis. Testing as a part of the realization phase is available in SSM. However additional tools like HP Quality Center may be used to benefit from advanced features. The TransWare product Reporting Services for SAP projects simplifies project administration.
TransWare offers consulting services which focus on ASAP project methodology for the preparation phase, blueprinting phase and testing in the realization phase.
Preparation phase
In SSM different ASAP roadmaps are available as project guidelines for specific SAP® products and project types. In addition project roadmaps can be customized for individual landscapes.
Blueprint phase
SSM defines the Blueprint as a reduced three level process structure comprising business scenarios, processes and process steps with assigned SAP® transactions in the Business Blueprint view (SSM transaction SOLAR01). It is a structured extract from business processes that contains only SAP® supported activities, describing the IT configuration view of the business processes. The Blueprint neither contains non-SAP®, nor manual activities, workflow logic or dependencies between processes and organizations.
Business process optimization with SAP® support is achieved through the BPM tool on the basis of business process analysis (BPA). The BPM tool improves the horizontal and vertical communication between business participants, stakeholders, BPM and SAP® consultants, system integrators and other IT team members.
Realization phase with Testing
The SSM Configuration view (SSM transaction SOLAR02) extends the process structure with more detailed content, e.g. with configuration items, development objects and test cases for this project.
The test workbench is used to create test plans, test schedules and test packages for individual test team members. They have access to all required data for the testing and can report issues managed via the Service Desk that is integrated into the Change Management. The Test Workbench can be integrated with HP Quality Center (HP QC) for additional testing capabilities.
TransWare advises SAP® clients on how to profit from SAP Solution Manager (SSM), ASAP and SSM built-in SAP® Project support.
- planning of project scenarios with ASAP, Run SAP and BPM methodologies
- design of ASAP in combination with BPM
- tool selection for BPM and testing
- definition of project standards
- employment of Best Practices like roadmaps and SAP Reference Models (BPR)
