The importance of the Discovery Phase in a successful S4/Hana Trasformation
Understanding the Discovery Phase
Switching to SAP S/4HANA is more than a mere transition from System A to System B. It represents a strategic opportunity for enterprise transformation.
The Discovery Phase is the cornerstone of the SAP Activate methodology. It’s designed to provide you with a clear understanding of your current processes and architecture and how they can be optimized with SAP S/4HANA.
The Discover Phase is the initial step in the SAP Activate Methodology, which plays a pivotal role in successful SAP S/4HANA transformations. During this stage, project teams gain architecture transparency and lay the groundwork for the subsequent stages.
This phase is also designed to provide you with a clear understanding of your current processes and how they can be optimized with SAP S/4HANA.
It´s characterized by its emphasis on exploration and comprehension, and endeavors to achieve several key objectives:
Discover As-Is Architecture: Unraveling the complexities of the existing IT landscape.
Discover As-Is Business Processes: Delving into organizational operations to identify inefficiencies and optimization opportunities.
High-Level Project Timeline: Crafting a roadmap with key milestones and deliverables.
Value Case Development: Articulating the benefits of S/4HANA implementation.
Pain Points in the Discover Phase: Navigating Challenges
While the Discover Phase holds immense promise, it is not devoid of challenges. Organizations embarking on the SAP S/4HANA transformation journey must navigate a myriad of obstacles, including:
Complexity: Understanding the full scope of SAP S/4HANA can be daunting due to its extensive features and modules.
Customization vs. Standardization: Balancing customization requirements with the goal of staying close to SAP’s standard processes.
Data Landscape Assessment: Analyzing existing data structures and mapping them to SAP S/4HANA
Change Management: Preparing stakeholders for the upcoming transformation.
Solution Fit: Evaluating how well SAP S/4HANA aligns with specific business needs
Leveraging Tools for Success: Harnessing the Power of SAP Signavio/Celonis and LeanIX
Celonis, SAP Signavio, and LeanIX are invaluable assets in the Discovery Phase, amplifying its efficacy and supporting reducing the impact of the pain points of the discovery phase.
These tools are designed to help you assess current processes, identify areas for improvement, and create a high-level project timeline.
Let´s dive deep into them!
Celonis and SAP Signavio together provide organizations with powerful insights and tools for process optimization and transformation allowing a proper Discovery of AS-Is Business Processes:
1.Process Modeling and Documentation:
SAP Signavio or Celonis offer robust process modeling capabilities. Teams can create, visualize, and document end-to-end business processes.
Process diagrams (BPMN, DMN) help stakeholders understand workflows, interactions, and decision points.
2. Business Process Analysis:
SAP Signavio or Celonis allows for process analysis, identifying bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement.
Stakeholders can collaborate on process optimization.
3. Integration with SAP Solutions:
SAP Signavio or Celonis integrates seamlessly with SAP tools, ensuring alignment between process models and actual system configurations.
It bridges the gap between business and IT.
4. Process Mining and Optimization:
SAP Signavio or Celonis analyzes transactional data from SAP systems to create visual process maps.
It reveals actual process flows, deviations, and variations.
Root cause analysis helps identify bottlenecks
5. Conformance Checking:
Compare actual processes against predefined models (e.g., SAP standard processes)
Detect deviations and ensure compliance
LeanIX offers organizations a comprehensive solution for managing their enterprise architecture, providing insights into IT landscapes and enabling informed decision-making.
The tool is essential for a proper Discover of the As-Is Architecture and Its features include:
1.Mapping the existing landscape:
LeanIX provides a comprehensive view of the existing IT landscape, including applications, data flows, and dependencies
It helps project teams understand the current state and identify areas for improvement.
2. Application Portfolio Management:
LeanIX assists in assessing the relevance and value of existing applications.
It helps prioritize which applications should be migrated to SAP S/4HANA.
3. Integration Analysis
LeanIX identifies integration points between SAP S/4HANA and other systems.
It ensures smooth data flow during the transition.
4. Roadmap Visualization for Identification of Interdependencies:
LeanIX visualizes the transformation roadmap, highlighting critical milestones and dependencies.
It aids in planning and communication.
5. Collaboration and Documentation:
LeanIX facilitates collaboration among project stakeholders.
It allows teams to document decisions, risks, and assumptions.
Conclusion: Paving the Path to Success!
The Discover Phase serves as the proverbial gateway to success in SAP S/4HANA transformation projects.
By embracing the goals and objectives of this critical phase, organizations can lay the groundwork for a smooth and successful transition to SAP’s next-generation ERP solution.
Armed with architecture transparency, business process insights, and a compelling value case, organizations can navigate the complexities of transformation with confidence and clarity.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the Discover Phase remains an indispensable precursor to unlocking the full potential of SAP S/4HANA and positioning organizations for success in the digital era.
“As you navigate on the Discovery Phase, remember that this is about more than just technology— it’s about transforming your business to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world.”