Ascendant Methodology : the best way for EPM implementations

Ascendant Technology combines a proprietary, standards-based methodology to replicate successes from related industries and similar technology implementations to reduce risk and project timelines while increasing customer satisfaction and capability.

The ascendant method is a methodology that provides a consistent, structured, and practical approach to what needs to be done, when it should be done, how it should be done, and how it should be controlled. The ascendant method evolved from SAP AG's AcceleratedSAP (ASAP) method, and IBM practices, practice aids, and methods. The ascendant method supports rolling out a global solution to multiple markets/countries (i.e., several sites implanting SAP in concurrent, staggered go-lives). The ascendant method consists of a number of phases including: market initialization (evaluation), solution preparation, business blueprint, realization, cluster preparation, and cluster go live to sustain. Details of the phases are as follows:

Market initiation (phase 0)--The purpose of the market initiation phase is to complete the basic activities necessary to launch the template system's implementation project in the target markets. Each market initiation implementation project will have its own unique objectives, scope, priorities, and timeline. Typical activities in the market initiation phase include: market initiation planning; market data cleansing, standardization, and mapping workshops; infrastructure planning and deployment; local support organization planning and implementation; market application and system landscape integration; ongoing project and change management; and completion check. Sample key deliverables/results include: early adoption of data standards; local area network (LAN)/wide area network (WAN) deployment strategy; market application and system landscape strategy; and local support organization design. An alternative name for phase 0 is the evaluation phase. The purpose of the evaluation phase is to coordinate activities that are most often part of proposal development.

Solution (project) preparation (phase 1)--The purpose of the solution preparation phase is to commence and execute detailed scope, planning and preparation for the template implementation in the target market. Project preparation builds on the initial scope, strategies, and plans from the project proposal, which is the major deliverable in the evaluation phase, and helps create the project charter. Typical activities in the solution preparation phase include: ongoing project and change management; strategy and preparation for the business blueprint phase; infrastructure requirements; market application and system landscape; scope data conversion and functional design; a first data conversion dry run; and a completion check. Sample key deliverables/results include: project charter; project team organization structure; milestone program plan; detail blueprint phase work plan; and technical infrastructure deployment.

Business blueprint (phase 2)--The purpose of the business blueprint is to identify process requirements in a business blueprint document that defines how the organization intends to run its business. The main activity of the business blueprint phase is to perform a fit/gap analysis between the template system solution and the target market requirement. The approved gaps will determine the detailed design that has to be completed. Typical activities in the business blueprint phase include: ongoing project and Change Management; template fit/gap analysis; update data mapping and conversion design; a second data conversion dry run; document business blueprint; planning, review strategy and prepare for realization phase; infrastructure alignment; market application and system landscape alignment; induction of super and end-user training; role management; and completion check of business blueprint. Sample key deliverables/results include: fit/gap resolution and approval; data mapping and transformation; security processes; confirm end user roles and variants; and a documented business

Blueprint realization (phase 3)--The purpose of the realization phase is to localize and test the template systems for the target market, in accordance with the requirements documented in the Business Blueprint, and prepare a production ready environment (working production system). Typical activities in the realization phase include: ongoing project and change management; finalize data conversion documentation and developments; a third data conversion dry run; finalizing RICEF documentation and developments; configuration and process test; role management realization; custom development and technical connectivity; infrastructure deployment; cutover planning and simulation; integration testing; finalizing of super and end-user training; and planning and prepare for cluster preparation. Sample key deliverables/results include:market configuration confirmed; market role variants built; market custom development built; cutover plans approved; and a fully tested system.

Cluster (final) preparation (phase 4)--The purpose of cluster preparation phase is to complete preparations for the cluster to go live with the template systems and to complete the plan for transitioning to a day-to-day business operation. Typical activities in the cluster preparation phase include: ongoing project and change management; finalizing RICEF programs; final data conversion; market cutover simulation; market acceptance testing; cluster regression tests; deliver super and end-user training; completion check; and plan and prep for go live and support phase. Examples of key deliverable/results for the cluster preparation phase include: data converted; cut over checklist; contingency plan; production readiness review; legacy retirement plan; and execution of regression test.

Cluster go live and support (phase 5)--The purpose of the go live and support phase is to transition the target market to use the template systems for day-to-day business operations (complete the transition from pre-production environment to a live, stable, productive operation). Typical activities for the go live and support phase include: ongoing project and change management; plan for continuous improvement; plan and preparation for sustain phase; post cluster go-live support; production support; systems monitoring; and system management; and a completion check. Examples of key deliverable/results for the cluster go live and support phase include: production ready systems environment; production capable end users; and production capable support help.

Sustain (phase 6)--The purpose of the sustain phase is to implement a framework for maintaining and improving the performance of the production system.

Does an EPM project need of all these "features"? I think this method can be applied to all EPM projects giving our customer all the best efforts we can provide. Although the reality is really different, i hope many of us will understand the importance to share methodology and best practice.
Have you ever been facing Ascendant Methodology in your EPM project?