Interview Questions and Answers for SAP Project implementation

1.    What is ‘ASAP’?

2.      Explain ‘ASAP Roadmap’ Phases?

3.      List the Tools for the ‘Project Preparation Phase’ of ‘ASAP?

4.      List the Tools for ‘Business Case Development’ in ‘ASAP?

5.      List the Tools for ‘Project Management and Methodology’ in ‘ASAP?

6.      When do You Use the ‘ASAP BPML’ Tool?

7.      Explain ‘Hardware’ Sizing for a SAP Implementation?

8.      Explain ‘ASAP BPML?

9.      What are ‘BPPs’ in ASAP?

10.  Explain ‘C-Maps?

11.  What is the Advantage of SAP’s ‘Smart Implementations’?

12.  What is the ‘SAP Solution Architect’?

13.  What is ‘Configuration’ in SAP?

14.  What is the ‘IMG’?

15.  Explain the Various ‘Types’ of IMGs?

16.  What are All the Various Ways of ‘Customizing’?

17.  Why is the ‘IMG’ Route of Customizing Easier than the ‘Tables’ Route?

18.  What is known as the ‘Go-Live Check’?

19.  When Should You Conduct ‘Business Process Re-engineering’ (BPR)?

20.  What are ‘User Parameters’?

 1. What is ‘ASAP’?

‘ASAP (Accelerated SAP)’ is a methodology used in SAP for faster and cost-effective

implementation of SAP R/3 projects. ASAP helps to

(a) reduce the implementation time,

(b)achieve quality implementations,

(c) make effective and efficient use of project resources.

ASAP integrates the following three components:

1. ASAP Roadmap

2. Tools (Questionnaires, templates, etc.)

3. R/3 services and training (Hotline, Early Watch, Remote Upgrade, Archiving, etc.)

ASAP Roadmap is aimed at providing step-by-step direction and guidance throughout the project implementation by providing a process-oriented, clear and concise project plan. The roadmap meanders through the following milestones or phases in the project implementation lifecycle:

1. Project preparation

2. Business blueprint

3. Realization

4. Final preparation

5. Go-live, support, and continuous improvement

2. Explain ‘ASAP Road map’ Phases?

Project preparation is the first and initial phase of the ASAP roadmap where you are just starting

the project. You will perform activities such as preparation of the initial scope, high-level timelines and plans, project charters, identification of project team members, project kick-off, etc. Business blueprint is the second phase in the implementation where you will try, identify, and document business requirements and goals to prepare the foundation for future stages of the project. Ideally, you will organize ‘business requirement gathering’ workshops with the various business/functional users of the company, lead them through the discussion with structured business functionality questionnaires, understand their existing business processes, and identify and document their requirements in the wake of this new implementation. A ‘sign-off’ at the end of the phase ensures an agreement to move forward outlining the scope of the project. It is understood that whatever is explicitly stated in the business blueprint document is the only scope; no implied scope will be considered for system configuration in the next phase.

Realization is the third phase where the implementing team breaks down the business

processes identified in the second phase and configures the SAP settings. Initially, you will do a

Baseline Configuration, test the system functionality and if necessary make changes to the

baseline configuration, and close the phase with Final Configuration, signalling that all the

business processes have been captured and configured in the system.

Final Preparation is the penultimate phase in the project. This phase also serves to resolve all

crucial open issues. A ‘go-live check’ is also conducted to analyze whether the system has been

properly configured.

This phase is marked by the following activities:

1. End-to-testing of the configured system (User Acceptance Test—UAT)
2. Training of the end users (Usually follows the concept ‘Train-the-Trainer’)
3. System management activities (creation of users, user profiles, allocation of roles to profiles, etc.)
4. Cut-over (data migration activities)

An ‘internal help desk’ should be staffed and supported mainly by employees of the enterprise.

Setting up a help desk involves, among other things, installing office and technical equipment and defining OSS users. Problems that cannot be solved by this internal help desk are forwarded to SAP via the SAPNet/OSS system.

On successful completion of this phase, you are ready to run your business in your production

system. Go-Live and Support is the final and fifth phase of the project where the configured system is declared ‘live’ for day-to-day business use. Users make productive (live) business transactions in the system and all the issues cropping up in the wake of going live are supported and resolved by a support team immediately.

3. List the Tools for the Project Preparation Phase of ASAP?

1)    ASAP Roadmap

2)    Knowledge Corner

3)    ASAP MS-Project Plan

4)    C-Maps (Collaborative Business Maps)

5)    Quick sizer

6)    Pre-Configured Solutions (Connect-and-Go, Smart Implementations, etc.)

7)    SAP Service Market Place

4. List the Tools for ‘Business Case Development’ in ASAP?

1)    E-Business Case Builder

2)    C-Maps

5. List the Tools for ‘Project Management and Methodology’ in ‘ASAP’?

1)    Solution Manager

2)    SAP Service Market Place

3)    ASAP MS-Project Plan

4)    ASAP Roadmap

5)    ASAP Question and Answer Database

6)    ASAP Business Blueprint

7)    ASAP BPP (Business Process and Procedures Document)

8)    ASAP BPML (Business Process Master List)

9)    ASAP Issue Database

10) ASAP Implementation Assistant/Knowledge Corner

6. When do You Use the ‘ASAP BPML’ Tool?

The ASAP ‘Business Process Master List (BPML)’ is used during the Realization (third phase)

of the ASAP Roadmap.

7. Explain ‘Hardware’ Sizing for a SAP Implementation?

ASAP provides a tool called Quicksizer, which is used to analyze the hardware requirements (of

mySAP.com) and to arrive at the hardware sizing for the project based on your inputs to a list of

questions. The tool is Web-based to make mySAP.com faster and easier. The Quicksizer has

been developed by SAP in close cooperation with all platform partners and is free. The Quicksizer calculates CPU, disk, and memory resources based on throughput numbers and the

number of users working with the different SAP components. The tool gives customers (and

prospects) an idea of the system size requirements for running the proposed workload, and is

also useful for initial budget planning. Initially used during the Project Preparation and

Blue printing Phases, and anytime after these phases when there is a change in system

requirements, the tool helps in arriving at the recommendations for hardware deployment.

8. Explain ASAP BPML?

‘ASAP BPMLs (Business Process Master Lists)’ are MS-Excel Sheets generated by the ASAP

Q&A Database for facilitating configuration and testing of the system, and development of end user documentation. These lists become the central repository from which you build the individual master lists to manage the initial configuration, final configuration, final end-user integration testing, and any other end-user procedures including the documentation.

9. What are ‘BPPs’ in ASAP?

‘ASAP BPP (Business Process and Procedures)’ are templates that typically walk you through

a transaction in SAP and help you document them. The templates are replete with Best Practices or Standard Procedures for completing a particular transaction, which you can customize for end user training. You will assign ASAP BPPS to the ASAP BPML.

10. Explain C-Maps?

‘C-Maps’ or C-Business Maps (Collaborative Business Maps) represent a comprehensive

portfolio of industry-specific and cross-industry process blueprints that show you how the

mySAP.com e-business platform can help your business. These maps define the activities, roles, system interfaces, and business documents required for inter-enterprise collaboration. They also show which SAP Solutions and Services you need to make your organization a truly collaborative e-business.

C-Business Maps explain what happens when you deploy e-business solutions to integrate

existing resources and transcend the borders of individual enterprises. They give you a complete picture of the benefits and advantages of collaborative business processes.

11. What is the Advantage of SAP’s ‘Smart Implementations’?

‘Smart Implementations’ contain pre-configuration, documentation, installation, and configuration accelerators for specific mySAP components. Smart Implementations provide tools to assist with technical infrastructure planning, installation of necessary components, system configuration and integration into an existing SAP system landscape, and infrastructure management in a production system.

The Smart Implementation for the mySAP Workplace includes the following installation and

configuration features:

􀂃 Easy system infrastructure configuration with the Configuration Assistant

􀂃 Automatic mySAP Workplace component installation

􀂃 Easy integration of multiple component systems

􀂃 Pre-configuration of all software components, including the Web server and Internet

Transaction Server (ITS)

􀂃 Basis customization of the SAP R/3 System (Workplace Server)

􀂃 The System Administration Assistant, an easy-to-use tool providing a comprehensive

administration concept to support the system administrator in important tasks.

12. What is the ‘SAP Solution Architect’?

The ‘SAP Solution Architect’ is the portal that integrates all content, tools, and methodologies

necessary for the solution-oriented evaluation, implementation, quick adaptation, and continuous improvement of the mySAP.com e-Business platform. It is fully integrated into the Customer Engagement Life Cycle (CEL), open to partner content, and an integral part of the SAP Service Infrastructure. In one portal, the SAP Solution Architect integrates:

􀂃 Best Practices for mySAP.com to evaluate, implement, and extend e-Business solutions.

􀂃 Tried and tested implementation tools such as the Implementation Guide (IMG) and the

Test Workbench.

􀂃 Access to C-Business Maps for in-depth information on collaborative business scenarios.

􀂃 The ASAP method for running mySAP.com projects.

􀂃 An authoring environment with which customers and partners can create their own preconfigured implementation solutions.

􀂃 Access to evaluation products such as the E-Business Case Builder and the Solution

Composer.

The benefits of using the SAP Solution Architect include:

􀂃 Consistent access to all contents, tools, and methods for evaluating, implementing,

adapting, and continuously improving your mySAP.com e-business solution.

􀂃 Rapid evaluation and implementation with Best Practices for mySAP.com.

􀂃 Tried and tested evaluation and implementation tools that have been enhanced

specifically for use with mySAP.com.

􀂃 Improved project communication and efficiency through a central portal.

􀂃 A consistent and integrated approach that passes the business-oriented project definition

from one phase to the next.

􀂃 Complete alignment with the ASAP Roadmap.

􀂃 Information about updates, training, and changes via the SAP Service Marketplace.

13. What is ‘Configuration’ in SAP?

‘Configuration’ is the process of maintaining settings (parameters) in the system to support

specific/customized business requirements. Remember SAP is an ‘all-encompassing’ application which needs to be ‘configured’ to meet your specific requirements.

14. What is the ‘IMG’?

The ‘IMG (Implementation Guide)’ in SAP provides you with the various configuration steps in a

tree-like structure for easy access with the nodes at the bottom representing the configuration

objects. This is the central repository for customizing, providing a step-by-step guide for carrying

out various activities. Besides the steps/activities, the IMG also contains explanations concerning the order in which you need to make the customizations. When you execute an activity from the IMG, you are indirectly changing the values (parameters) in the underlying table.

The IMG is structured and arranged into four major logical groups:

1. General Settings (Country settings, currencies, calendar maintenance, time zones, field

display characteristics, etc.)

2. Enterprise Structure (Definition, assignment, consistency check, etc.)

3. Cross-Application Components (ALE, Time sheet, CATT, CAD integration, DMDocument

Management, EDI, Engineering Change Management (ECM), etc.)

4. Functional Area Settings (FI, CO, Logistics, PP, PM, QM, etc.)

15. Explain the Various ‘Types’ of IMGs?

The SAP Reference IMG provides all the customizing steps for all functional areas of SAP. This,

as the name suggests, is the ‘reference IMG’ from which you may create your own IMG to meet

the exact requirements of the (1) enterprise and (2) project. The Enterprise IMG is usually an exact copy of the ‘SAP Reference IMG,’ but limited to the countries where the implementation is carried out. From the Enterprise IMG, you may create your Project IMG, which will contain the application components/business processes required in the current project. It is also possible to create the Project IMG by directly generating it from the SAP Reference IMG. In this case, the country selection is done when the Project IMGs are created.

16. What are All the Various Ways of ‘Customizing’?

You can customize SAP using:

􀂃 IMG: Just follow the IMG tree, step-by-step. No technical knowledge (about tables, views,

etc.) is required.

Example: To configure the ‘Country Code,’ just follow the IMG Menu Path ‘General

settings>Set countries>Define countries.’

􀂃 Tables: You need to know the name and structure of the tables where the parameters

are directly entered. Technical knowledge of customizable objects is required.

Example: To configure the ‘Country Code,’ use transaction code: OY01. Enter the details in

Table V_T005.

17 Why is the ‘IMG’ Route of Customizing Easier than the ‘Tables’ Route?

􀂃 IMG is a logical way to access data from multiple physical tables without knowing from

where the data is flowing. This is because there are many transactions, which affect more

than one table.

􀂃 There is no need to know the names of Tables and fields, though it always helps to know

about the major tables.

􀂃 IMG offers a step-by-step way of progressing from one activity to the other. Also, you can

classify the activities into various views such as ‘mandatory/critical/optional,’ ‘Clientdependent/

Client-independent,’ etc., so that you can proceed per your requirements and

time.

􀂃 Since IMG provides you with the functional view, it becomes easier to ‘configure’ and test

immediately.

18. What is known as the ‘Go-Live Check’?

The ‘Go-Live Check’ is done just before you cut over to ‘live’ (production) operation in a project.

This is to test whether the system is properly configured to meet the requirements of the business. The check includes detecting problems in the

(a) SAP R/3 Application,

(b) Database,

(c) Operating System.

First, the Go-live Check involves an analysis of the major system components of the R/3

installation with regard to system consistency and reliability. For this, SAP experts log on to your

R/3 system via a remote connection, inspect the configuration of individual system components,

and provide valuable recommendations for system optimization. By analyzing the individual

system components before production start up, SAP can considerably improve the availability

and performance of the customer’s live system. In addition, the technical application analysis

provides information on how to speed up the core processes within R/3. Secondly, the transactions with high resource consumption are searched for and necessary adjustments are made. Thirdly, the changes from the two prior sessions are validated. This check is performed in the productive operation system.

After a system goes live, some fine tuning and eliminating of potential bottlenecks is still

necessary. This is carried out four weeks after ‘going live’ with the R/3 System.

19. When Should You Conduct ‘Business Process Re-engineering’ (BPR)?

Typically ‘Business Process Re-engineering (BPR)’ needs to be completed well before the

SAP implementation starts. This will help to identify any improvements that can be made prior to

implementation and begin the process of change within the organization. Improvements that will

be system-enabled will form part of the implementation and also help the project team to identify

areas of change. However, it is also possible (but not recommended if there are large areas requiring total process re-engineering) to do BPR during the business blueprint phase provided the project team works within the boundary of the initial scope provided.

20. What are ‘User Parameters’?

SAP provides a way of lessening your day-to-day data entry operations by facilitating default

entries for fields, and bringing out the most suitable Display Variant for document display,

document entry, open/line item processing, etc. The user parameters, also known as ‘Editing

Options,’ are a boon as they save time and result in greater accuracy as data entry errors are

eliminated with the default values. You can, among many alternatives, set:

1. The system to default the ‘exchange rate’ from the first line item.

2. A preference so that the user does not process any ‘special GL transactions’ or ‘foreign

currency transactions.’

3. That the document needs to be complete before it is ‘parked.’

4. The system to calculate the tax component on the ‘net’ invoice and not on the ‘gross.’

5. Your document currency either as the ‘local currency’ or as the one used in the last document.

6. The system to make a currency conversion if documents are to be fetched from ‘archives.’

7. Documents to be displayed using a ‘reference number.’

8. ‘Payment reference’ to be used as a selection item in open item processing.

9. To activate branch/head office ‘dialogue’ while processing line items.

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                                                          Interview Questions and Answers