# ERP Implementation Methodology Phases Reference (SAP Activate, AIM, Sure Step and More)

> Source: https://netray.co/tools/erp-implementation-methodology-phases-reference
> Publisher: Netray (netray.co), AI and integration engineering for ERP and manufacturing systems.
> Section: Free Tools

## Short answer

Compare the phase names and focus of the major vendor ERP implementation methodologies in one searchable table.

## Category

erp-migration

## Audience

- ERP project manager
- PMO lead
- Implementation consultant

## Tool

**Kind:** worksheet

**Mode:** reference

**Columns:**

#### Methodology

**Key:** methodology

**Type:** text

#### Vendor

**Key:** vendor

**Type:** text

#### Phase #

**Key:** phase_no

**Type:** number

#### Phase name

**Key:** phase

**Type:** text

#### Typical focus

**Key:** focus

**Type:** text

**Rows:**

#### Discover

**Methodology:** SAP Activate

**Vendor:** SAP

**Phase no:** 1

**Focus:** Understand the solution, build the business case and decide on scope and approach.

#### Prepare

**Methodology:** SAP Activate

**Vendor:** SAP

**Phase no:** 2

**Focus:** Project kickoff, team, governance, plan and system landscape setup.

#### Explore

**Methodology:** SAP Activate

**Vendor:** SAP

**Phase no:** 3

**Focus:** Fit-to-standard workshops, gap list and backlog definition.

#### Realize

**Methodology:** SAP Activate

**Vendor:** SAP

**Phase no:** 4

**Focus:** Configuration, extensions, integration build and iterative testing.

#### Deploy

**Methodology:** SAP Activate

**Vendor:** SAP

**Phase no:** 5

**Focus:** Cutover, final data load, production readiness and go-live.

#### Run

**Methodology:** SAP Activate

**Vendor:** SAP

**Phase no:** 6

**Focus:** Operate, support and continuous improvement after go-live.

#### Project Preparation

**Methodology:** ASAP

**Vendor:** SAP

**Phase no:** 1

**Focus:** Scope, organization, standards and project plan.

#### Business Blueprint

**Methodology:** ASAP

**Vendor:** SAP

**Phase no:** 2

**Focus:** Document business processes and requirements to be implemented.

#### Realization

**Methodology:** ASAP

**Vendor:** SAP

**Phase no:** 3

**Focus:** Configure the system against the blueprint and test.

#### Final Preparation

**Methodology:** ASAP

**Vendor:** SAP

**Phase no:** 4

**Focus:** End user training, final testing, cutover rehearsal.

#### Go-Live and Support

**Methodology:** ASAP

**Vendor:** SAP

**Phase no:** 5

**Focus:** Production start and early life support.

#### Definition

**Methodology:** Oracle AIM

**Vendor:** Oracle

**Phase no:** 1

**Focus:** Project scope, objectives, approach and plan.

#### Operations Analysis

**Methodology:** Oracle AIM

**Vendor:** Oracle

**Phase no:** 2

**Focus:** Gather and analyze business requirements and map to the application.

#### Solution Design

**Methodology:** Oracle AIM

**Vendor:** Oracle

**Phase no:** 3

**Focus:** Design the solution, gaps and extensions.

#### Build

**Methodology:** Oracle AIM

**Vendor:** Oracle

**Phase no:** 4

**Focus:** Set up, customize and test components.

#### Transition

**Methodology:** Oracle AIM

**Vendor:** Oracle

**Phase no:** 5

**Focus:** Data conversion, training and production cutover preparation.

#### Production

**Methodology:** Oracle AIM

**Vendor:** Oracle

**Phase no:** 6

**Focus:** Live operation and stabilization.

#### Inception

**Methodology:** Oracle Unified Method (OUM)

**Vendor:** Oracle

**Phase no:** 1

**Focus:** Agree vision, scope and feasibility.

#### Elaboration

**Methodology:** Oracle Unified Method (OUM)

**Vendor:** Oracle

**Phase no:** 2

**Focus:** Reduce key risks and baseline the architecture.

#### Construction

**Methodology:** Oracle Unified Method (OUM)

**Vendor:** Oracle

**Phase no:** 3

**Focus:** Build and test the solution in iterations.

#### Transition

**Methodology:** Oracle Unified Method (OUM)

**Vendor:** Oracle

**Phase no:** 4

**Focus:** Deploy to production and hand over to support.

#### Production

**Methodology:** Oracle Unified Method (OUM)

**Vendor:** Oracle

**Phase no:** 5

**Focus:** Operate and maintain the live solution.

#### Diagnostic

**Methodology:** Sure Step

**Vendor:** Microsoft

**Phase no:** 1

**Focus:** Assess fit, readiness and the business case.

#### Analysis

**Methodology:** Sure Step

**Vendor:** Microsoft

**Phase no:** 2

**Focus:** Requirements and fit-gap analysis.

#### Design

**Methodology:** Sure Step

**Vendor:** Microsoft

**Phase no:** 3

**Focus:** Solution design and technical architecture.

#### Development

**Methodology:** Sure Step

**Vendor:** Microsoft

**Phase no:** 4

**Focus:** Configure, develop and test.

#### Deployment

**Methodology:** Sure Step

**Vendor:** Microsoft

**Phase no:** 5

**Focus:** Data migration, training and go-live.

#### Operations

**Methodology:** Sure Step

**Vendor:** Microsoft

**Phase no:** 6

**Focus:** Support and ongoing improvement.

#### Initiate

**Methodology:** Success by Design

**Vendor:** Microsoft

**Phase no:** 1

**Focus:** Vision, scope, team and governance.

#### Implement

**Methodology:** Success by Design

**Vendor:** Microsoft

**Phase no:** 2

**Focus:** Build the solution in iterative sprints with reviews.

#### Prepare

**Methodology:** Success by Design

**Vendor:** Microsoft

**Phase no:** 3

**Focus:** Testing, training, cutover rehearsal and go-live readiness.

#### Operate

**Methodology:** Success by Design

**Vendor:** Microsoft

**Phase no:** 4

**Focus:** Hypercare, support and continuous updates.

**Notes:** Phase names are the commonly published ones. Vendors revise their methodologies, so confirm against the current official documentation for your product and release.

## Content

**Intro:** Every large ERP vendor publishes an implementation methodology, and each names its phases differently. This table lines them up so a project manager can map a vendor plan to an internal PMO template, or explain to a steering committee what Realize or Transition means.

**Sections:**

#### How to use the table

**Body:** Type a methodology name, a vendor or a phase word such as cutover into the search box to filter. Sort by phase number to read a methodology top to bottom. Export to Excel and add your own column for the deliverable or gate you require at each phase. Use it when a vendor proposal uses one vocabulary and your internal governance uses another, so you can map phases rather than argue about names.

#### What the methodologies have in common

**Body:** Despite different names, almost all of them follow the same arc: define scope, understand requirements, design, build and test, transition to production, then support. The real differences are in how much is done iteratively and where the customer signs off.

**Bullets:**

- Older waterfall style: ASAP, Oracle AIM, Sure Step
- Iterative and agile leaning: SAP Activate, Oracle OUM, Success by Design
- Fit-to-standard workshops replace blueprint documents in newer methods
- Cutover and data conversion always sit in the late build or transition phase

#### Mapping to your own plan

**Body:** Pick one internal lifecycle and map every vendor phase to it. For example, Explore, Business Blueprint, Operations Analysis, Solution Design and Analysis all map to a design stage with a requirements sign-off gate. Realize, Realization, Build, Construction and Development map to a build and test stage. Deploy, Final Preparation, Transition and Prepare map to cutover readiness. Keeping a single internal vocabulary makes status reports comparable across projects.

#### Common mistakes

**Body:** The most frequent error is treating the methodology as the plan. A methodology is a framework; the plan still needs dates, owners and dependencies. Teams also skip the early phases on rollouts because the business case feels settled, then discover scope disagreements in testing. Finally, do not assume phase gates are identical across vendors: a sign-off in one methodology may be optional in another.

**Cta:** If you want a lifecycle plan that reflects your actual ERP and plant structure, Netray can review it and flag missing gates for data migration and cutover.

**Faq:**

#### Is SAP Activate replacing ASAP?

**Answer:** SAP Activate is the current methodology SAP promotes for S/4HANA and cloud products, and ASAP is the older approach used in classic ECC projects. Many existing programs still use ASAP vocabulary, so both are listed.

#### Do I have to follow the vendor methodology?

**Answer:** No. Most customers and integrators adapt it. What matters is that you cover the same concerns: scope, requirements, design, build, test, data migration, training, cutover and support, with clear sign-offs at each stage.

#### Where does data migration sit in these phases?

**Answer:** Data work should start in the design stage, not the last one. Mapping and cleansing begin early, trial loads happen during build, and the final load is part of cutover in the deploy or transition phase.

#### Which methodology suits a mid-size manufacturer?

**Answer:** It depends mostly on the ERP you choose. Within the vendor ecosystem use the vendor method, but keep the gates light: fit-to-standard workshops, two or three test cycles, one mock cutover and a defined hypercare period.

## Search terms

SAP Activate phases, ASAP methodology phases, Oracle AIM phases, Sure Step methodology phases, Success by Design phases, ERP implementation phases, ERP methodology comparison, ERP project lifecycle stages

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