Enhancing Project Success: New CQC Reports and Embedded Launch Activity support for Quality Gates
There's a lot that needs to be done, done correctly, and done at the right time for your SAP solution deployment to go smoothly. SAP created the SAP Activate Methodology to guide project teams through the most essential tasks for successful implementation, but how can you check that you're on track as you go? This is what quality gates are designed to do. Quality gates are periodic checkpoints that focus in on the most essential tasks that should be completed before moving onto the next phase. Multiple teams in SAP have come together in 2025 to improve the quality gates, and in this blog I go through the 3 major improvements to Quality Gates in HCM and SAP Cloud ERP (SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition).
- Refreshed Quality Gate Content
- Automated Risk Analysis via CQC Reports in SAP Cloud ALM
- 1:1 Quality Gate Support available via Embedded Launch Activities
Quality gate execution is a collaborative milestone, driven by a joint effort between partner and customer project teams and led by their respective project managers. These checkpoints empower teams to demonstrate systematic due diligence and clear, tangible progress toward solution adoption and realized business value.
See the sections below for details on each of these enhancements.

1. Refreshed Quality Gate Content
All quality gate questions for all SAP Activate phases have been reviewed and refreshed. Key improvements are:
- All checklist questions have been refreshed to be applicable to the latest SAP concepts, products, and assets
- Relevant supporting links and assets have been added to the question documentation (e.g. explanatory links of learning resources and scenario-specific topics)
- New supporting assets created to articulate the concept of quality gates, why they're important, and the CQC reports now available (Quality Gate Overview Deck, Quality Gate Execution - Detailed Walkthrough Deck, SAP Activate & Quality Gate Introductory Video)
- Language has been harmonized across the business suite - i.e. roles and terms will be more consistent across roadmaps from different solution areas such as HCM, ERP (Public and Private), Concur, SCM, BTP etc.
The best way to access and review Quality Gate Questions is via SAP Cloud ALM, but you can also view the refreshed list of questions via the SAP Activate Roadmaps accelerators linked here (HCM | SAP Cloud ERP)
2. Automated Risk Analysis: The CQC Report for Quality Gates
The biggest hurdle in a Quality Gate isn't just answering the questions - it's knowing what to do when an answer reveals a risk.
When you complete your Quality Gate checklists directly in SAP Cloud ALM, you can now generate a Continuous Quality Check (CQC) for Implementation Gates report*. This is a tailored advisory document generated within one business day.
*As of 2026-02, this report is available to request in SAP Cloud ALM for the Prepare and Explore Phase Quality Gates for SAP Cloud ERP and HCM. It will be rolled out for Realize, Deploy and Run in Q2 2026 for SAP Cloud ERP and HCM. It is already available for all phases for SAP Cloud ERP Private. Availability for other solution areas is under development for 2026.
What the CQC Report delivers:
Management Summary: A high-level view for stakeholders on project readiness.
Individualized Action Plan: Trackable tasks in SAP Cloud ALM to course-correct identified risks.
Detailed Recommendations: Direct links to SAP accelerators and documentation to help your team resolve gaps.
By using this self-service report at the end of the Prepare and Explore phases, you mitigate early-stage risks like unvalidated financial structures or incomplete integration designs before they impact your delivery timeline.
3. Personalized Guidance: Enhanced Embedded Launch Activities
We know that digital tools are most effective when paired with expert human insight. That’s why we are enhancing our Embedded Launch Activities - the onboarding services many of you already utilize.
Starting with new customer contracts as of March 1, 2026 we are including 1:1 Onboarding Advisor support for one of your Quality Gate checklists. This means you can have a dedicated SAP expert walk through the checklist with you. The onboarding advisor will be able to support with on the spot clarifications of concepts, resources etc., helping the team to ensure that your "Yes" answers are truly backed by best practices and that your "No" answers have a solid mitigation plan in place.
Why This Matters for Your Project
Quality Gates occur at every major transition point - from the end of Prepare through to Run (where they repeat every 6 months). They are designed to be "health checks," not performance reviews.
By utilizing the new CQC reports and Advisor support, you achieve two primary things:
- Confidence: That the project team has completed the most essential tasks, is aware of the most essential assets, and knows what you need to know to move forward, or course correct.
Speed: You're more likely to achieve your goals on time by doing it right the first time - and the checklists help to safeguard that.
Next Steps: How to Get Started
Access your project in SAP Cloud ALM: Ensure your Quality Gate checklists are being completed digitally rather than in manual spreadsheets to unlock report functionality. Follow this detailed guide to begin utilizing quality gates in SAP Cloud ALM.
Request your CQC Report: For SAP Cloud ERP and HCM projects for Prepare & Explore Phases, once the checklist is complete, use the “Request SAP Assessment Service” button. Your report will be available in SAP Cloud ALM and SAP for Me within 24 hours.
Leverage Customer Onboarding: For new customer contracts as of March 1st, an Onboarding Advisor will be assigned to engage with you. Learn more about Customer Onboarding: https://support.sap.com/en/product/onboarding-resource-center/hcm.html
Let us know your thoughts or questions in the comments below!