The past few weeks, we have been introducing the SAP Activate framework for SAP S/4HANA Cloud. If you have missed any of the previous blogs, they are listed below:
Today, I want to touch on several SAP Activate topics that we were not able to incorporate into the phase level posts over the past few weeks. I’ll cover updates on methodology content refresh cycle, adoption of the SAP Activate in the partner ecosystem, SAP Activate training and certification, how to access the SAP Activate content (not only SAP S/4HANA Cloud, but also other SAP solutions as well) and collaboration with SAP Activate experts.
SAP Activate methodology for SAP S/4HANA Cloud update cycle
SAP Activate methodology for SAP S/4HANA Cloud is updated with every release on product release day. This past update occurred on August 7th of this year, when SAP released the 1708 version of SAP S/4HANA Cloud. In addition to major releases, the SAP Activate methodology team is publishing bi-weekly minor updates and fixes into the
SAP Roadmap Viewer so our users always have access to the most up to date information supporting their implementation project. For every major release, the methodology team publishes a change log that is linked to the implementation roadmap
here.
SAP Activate is embraced by the SAP ecosystem
SAP Activate has been embraced by SAP’s service partners that use it for delivery of our joint customer’s SAP software implementations. Large SAP service partners have adopted principles of SAP Activate methodology (fit-to-standard, agile, and iterative build with frequent validations) and incorporated them into their proprietary delivery methodologies. Mid-size and smaller partner companies tend to use the SAP Activate framework as delivered by SAP. My team has been working with our ecosystem partners since we introduced SAP Activate at SAPPHIRE 2015, helping our partners adopt the SAP Activate techniques and approach. Below is a slide showing sub-set of ecosystem partners that have expressed their commitment to using SAP Activate.
Enablement, Training and Certification
Right from the very beginning, SAP has been offering courses to enable our customers and partners to use SAP Activate. SAP continuously updates the available courses to keep them aligned with evolution of the SAP Activate framework. If you are starting your SAP Activate learning journey, I recommend you to start with the ACT10E (introduction to SAP Activate which covers the implementation of cloud and on-premise solutions. You can also consider course ACT100, which delivers the same content in a classroom setting. Then, depending on your goals, you can continue with ACT200 (a hands-on class about Agile Project Delivery with plenty of exercises to practice agile concepts) before you take the C_ACT_2016 certification exam.
If you want to explore the complete list of SAP Activate training options, I suggest you to review the information in
SAP Activate Learning Journey.
How to access SAP Activate content
SAP customers and partners can access the SAP Activate framework content through two main applications:
SAP Roadmap Viewer - provides access to SAP Activate prescriptive methodology for SAP S/4HANA Cloud, including detailed guides, accelerators, templates and presentations that help SAP customers and partners implement their SAP solution efficiently. The information is structured into phases, deliverables and tasks with step-by-step guidance and accelerators attached to appropriate tasks or deliverables. Below is image of the SAP Roadmap Viewer navigation through the SAP Activate for SAP S/4HANA Cloud implementation roadmap.
SAP Best Practices Explorer - provides access to SAP Best Practices documentation for SAP S/4HANA Cloud. The content is accessible in a logical grouping of scope items. Each scope item comes with standard documentation including
test script that guides you through executing the process in the system,
process flow that displays the process flow including the business roles that are involved in the process. Additionally, the Best Practices package includes a sample organizational structure, chart of accounts and master data. Below is an image of the SAP Best Practices Explorer application with SAP S/4HANA Cloud package displayed.
We have outlined the use of these applications in the
previous blog post and also in the recently published SAP PRESS e-book
SAP S/4HANA Cloud: Implementation with SAP Activate.
SAP Activate Community
In addition to providing access to SAP Activate content, my team manages a community of SAP Activate users and experts. Have question about any aspect of SAP Activate? Come ask questions in SAP Jam space. To access the Jam space, you will need to request
access, and once you receive an invitation accept it. Then, you can access the SAP Activate Jam space and engage with my team and SAP Activate experts in the community.
SAP Activate for other SAP solutions
SAP Activate content is available for other SAP solutions including SAP S/4HANA, BW/4HANA, SAP SuccessFactors and others. You can find all the pre-built Best Practices packages in SAP Best Practices Explorer, and the methodology content is available in SAP Roadmap Viewer as discussed above. The SAP Activate methodology, in addition to solution specific guidance, offers general SAP Activate implementation roadmaps that provide implementation guidance for all other SAP implementation projects. They are available for cloud and on-premise solutions and come pre-delivered with set of templates, guides, presentations and accelerators. You can find this content in the SAP Roadmap Viewer when you select the
General tile on the entry screen.
I hope this blog post provided additional information about the SAP Activate framework. Please ask questions in the comments below, or reach to me on Twitter via
@janmusil.
Find other SAP Activate posts on SAP Communities using
#sapactivate as search term.