Samuel Reshevsky (SAP Project Manager): We Are Ready For The Next Stage
Takeda completed another phase in their local S/4 Hana implementation, with a small project in the offices in Konstanz and Zürich as informed by Samuel (Sammy) Reshevsky, one of the managers, and in charge also of the press releases. Those first stages, or implementation waves, will cover Austria and Ireland initially.
User Acceptance Testing (UAT), explains Reshevsky, is a critical phase in BPR where the end users validate that the system meets business requirements and is ready for production. Below is a detailed explanation of the preparatory work done before UAT, how to organize the UAT phase, and the subsequent steps after UAT.
ICL Readiness for UAT?
Before initiating UAT, several key activities must be completed to ensure that the environment and the system are stable and fit for business users to perform their tests. The following prerequisites and activities are generally required:
A. Requirements and Design Completion
- Requirements Sign-off:
All business and functional requirements have been documented, reviewed, and formally approved by stakeholders. - Design & Blueprinting:
The solution design—including process flows, configurations, and custom developments—has been completed and signed off.
B. System Configuration and Development
- SAP Configuration:
The SAP system has been configured to meet the business requirements. Any custom developments or enhancements are completed. - Development Completion:
All custom code (e.g., reports, interfaces, enhancements) has been developed and reviewed.
C. Testing Phases Prior to UAT
- Unit Testing:
Developers perform unit tests on individual components to ensure they work as expected. - Integration Testing (SIT):
Testing of interfaces and the interaction between different SAP modules (or between SAP and other systems) has been completed. This phase verifies that the components work together as intended. - System/Functional Testing:
End-to-end business processes are tested in a controlled environment to validate that the system functions correctly. This also includes regression testing to ensure that new changes haven’t impacted existing functionalities. - Data Migration Testing:
If applicable, tests are performed to validate that data from legacy systems is correctly migrated and transformed into the new SAP system.
D. Issue Resolution and Environment Stability
- Defect Resolution:
Critical and high-priority defects identified during earlier testing phases have been addressed and verified. - Stable Test Environment:
A dedicated UAT environment that closely mimics the production environment is set up, complete with realistic test data and configurations. - Pre-UAT Checklists:
A formal readiness checklist is used to ensure that all technical, functional, and business prerequisites are met before starting UAT.
E. Test Planning and Preparation
- UAT Test Scripts:
Detailed test scenarios and scripts, derived from real business processes, have been developed and reviewed by key stakeholders. - Training for UAT Participants:
Business users who will be involved in UAT are trained on the system and the new processes. They should be familiar with the test scripts and understand the expected outcomes.
Once all these activities are completed and all stakeholders agree that the system is stable, functional, and reflective of the business requirements, the project is considered ready to move into UAT.
2. Organizing the UAT
A well-organized UAT process is crucial for obtaining reliable feedback from end users. Here’s how to structure the UAT phase:
A. UAT Planning
- Define Scope and Objectives:
Identify which modules, processes, and business scenarios will be tested. Clearly state what success looks like. - Identify Participants:
Select business users, process owners, and subject matter experts who are responsible for validating the system. - Develop a UAT Plan:
Create a detailed plan that includes:- Timeline and Schedule: When and how long each testing phase will last.
- Roles and Responsibilities: Assign a UAT coordinator, testers, and a point of contact for issue resolution.
- Entry and Exit Criteria: Define the criteria that must be met to start UAT (entry) and to consider it complete (exit).
B. Preparing Test Scenarios and Data
- Test Scripts Development:
Write detailed test cases/scenarios covering typical and edge-case business processes. Ensure these are mapped back to the original business requirements. - Test Data Preparation:
Populate the UAT environment with realistic data that reflects production-like scenarios. This ensures that testing accurately simulates real business transactions.
C. UAT Kick-Off
- Kick-Off Meeting:
Conduct a meeting to:- Brief all participants on the objectives and process.
- Review the test scripts and schedule.
- Explain the defect logging and tracking process.
- Training and Walkthroughs:
If necessary, provide refresher sessions on the system functionalities and the use of the UAT environment.
D. Execution Phase
- Test Execution:
Business users execute the test cases in the UAT environment. They record outcomes, capture evidence (e.g., screenshots), and note any discrepancies from expected results. - Issue Logging:
A robust defect management process should be in place. Testers log issues in a tracking system, categorizing them by severity. - Daily Stand-Ups/Review Meetings:
Hold regular meetings to review progress, discuss issues, and provide updates on defect resolution.
E. Test Closure and Sign-Off
- Review and Evaluation:
After completing the test cases, evaluate results against the acceptance criteria. Determine if the system meets the required quality and functionality. - Stakeholder Sign-Off:
Obtain formal approval from business owners and stakeholders, signifying that UAT is complete and the system is ready for production. - Documentation:
Prepare a UAT closure report detailing the test results, issues encountered, resolutions, and any pending risks or areas for future improvement.
3. Next Stages After UAT
Once UAT is successfully completed and formal sign-off is obtained, the project transitions into the final phases toward production deployment:
A. Pre-Go-Live Preparation
- Cutover Planning:
Develop a comprehensive cutover plan outlining the steps for transitioning from the old system (or initial setup) to the new SAP system. This includes scheduling, resource allocation, and communication plans. - Final Data Migration:
Conduct a final, full-scale data migration into the production environment. Validate the accuracy and integrity of the data. - User Training & Documentation:
Finalize and distribute end-user documentation. Conduct training sessions for the wider user base if required. - Go/No-Go Decision:
Hold a final review meeting with senior management to assess readiness for go-live based on UAT results, cutover plans, and risk assessments.
B. Production Deployment (Go-Live)
- Execute the Cutover:
Follow the cutover plan to move the system into the production environment. - Establish Hypercare:
Set up a hypercare phase immediately after go-live, where a dedicated support team is on standby to address any immediate issues or user queries. - Monitor Performance:
Continuously monitor system performance, data integrity, and process execution to ensure that everything is functioning as expected.
C. Post Go-Live and Continuous Improvement
- Post-Implementation Review:
Conduct a review meeting to gather feedback from end users and project stakeholders. Document lessons learned and identify areas for future enhancements. - Ongoing Support and Maintenance:
Transition from the project team to the support/operations team for long-term maintenance. - Continuous Improvement:
Use feedback to plan further optimizations and additional functionalities that may be required as business processes evolve.
One of the next goals is to bring SAP Batch Release Hub into the project scope, along with SAP IBP Integrated Business Planning, the latter replacing SAP APO in the near future.
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