SAP ASAP Methodology

There are 5 stages in the Project. Project Preparation, Business Blueprint, Realization, Final Preparation, and lastly, Go-live & Support.

Phase 1: Project Preparation

The primary focus of Phase 1 is getting the project started, identifying team members and developing a high-level plan.
This is when there would be a kick-off party to kick start the project. Usually to meet team members and client. Individual consultants would also do a self study on the customer’s industry to be extra prepared.

Phase 2: Business Blueprint

The primary focus of Phase 2 is to understand the business goals of the company and to determine the business requirements needed to support those goals.
Here you will do scoping with Process Owners to find out the necessary according to modules. Once that is completed, you will have to come up with the Blueprints to match the customers Business Processes. Most of the time, Blueprints will consist of As-is, and To-be processes which is after SAP is implemented. As-is are the current business processes without SAP, and To-be are the same processes but converted to SAP approach.

Phase 3: Realization
The purpose of this phase is to implement all the business and process requirements based on the Business Blueprint. You customize the system step by step in two work
packages, Baseline and Final configuration. Baseline configurations are the priority requirements of an Enterprise which are done without any programming or enhancements. Final configuration is the phase where you can confirm that all your clients requirements are met in the SAP ERP system. This can include programming and enhancements.
This is when you have crazy amount of work to do.
1) Configuration in the System (SPRO - Baseline).
2) Work together with ABAPer to work on Customized Reports, User Exits, Upload programs for Master Data, etc (Final Configuration).
3) Functional Specs for the ABAPer to work on the Customized Reports and Enhancements/Exits. 
4) Key User Training Manuals ( Documentation which consists of General Training ). 
5) User Acceptance Tests scripts ( Documentation which consists of Business operation specific processes ). 
6) Configuration Documents ( Documentation which consists of how you configured SAP to meet customer’s requirements ). 
*Bolded items are the official documents required in every project*

Phase 4: Final Preparation

The purpose of this phase is to complete testing (Integration Testing), end-user training, system management and cut over activities. Critical open issues are resolved. Upon the successful
completion of this phase, you will be ready to run your business in your productive R/3 system. Another important note to remember here is that, there would be a mirror production client as a Final test/check point. The testing here can be done by an external party such as SAP. This is to ensure that, during Go-live, there will be less or no hiccups.

Phase 5: Go Live & Support

Transition from a project oriented, pre-productive environment to a successful and live productive operation. Here, consultants would be on-site or off-site for a period of time to ensure that everything runs smoothly. This is called the warranty period and it depends on client/vendor how long this period should last.