Managing SAP Projects with SAP Cloud ALM

SAP implementation and upgrade projects are known for their complexity. Whether it's a greenfield implementation, a system conversion, a selective data transition, a lift & shift, or an upgrade, these projects involve multiple stakeholders, diverse business units, critical deadlines, and deep integration across business processes. The challenges are amplified by the need for effective governance, traceability, issue tracking, testing, change management, and documentation. Without the right tools in place, projects can quickly derail.

That’s where SAP Cloud ALM (Application Lifecycle Management) steps in — a comprehensive, cloud-based solution that provides end-to-end project management support tailored specifically for SAP solutions.

What is SAP Cloud ALM?

SAP Cloud ALM is SAP’s modern, cloud-native platform for managing the entire lifecycle of SAP applications — from implementation and operations to monitoring and optimization.

Designed especially for cloud-centric landscapes and SAP S/4HANA environments, SAP Cloud ALM empowers teams to collaborate effectively, maintain visibility, and ensure alignment throughout the project lifecycle.

SAP Cloud ALM is included in the cloud subscription containing Enterprise Support, cloud edition and in SAP Enterprise Support. No additional license is required.

Core Features and Capabilities

• Project Planning and Management. Structure projects with predefined templates, workstreams, and tasks based on SAP Activate methodology.

• Requirements and Scope Management. Capture and track business requirements and align them with system capabilities.

·        Fit-to-Standard Workshops. Supports Fit-to-Standard workshops by visualizing business models and process descriptions

• Test Management. Plan, execute, and track test cases, with full traceability back to requirements and user stories.

• Change and Deployment Management. Orchestrate deployments and control transports across environments.

• Monitoring and Alerts. Monitor system health, integrations, and user experience once live.

• Collaboration Tools. Assign tasks, comment, attach documents, and set notifications to enhance teamwork.

Credit image: SAP

Managing Your Project with SAP Cloud ALM: Step-by-Step

Here’s a practical breakdown of how to manage an SAP implementation or upgrade project using SAP Cloud ALM.

1. Project Initialization

Begin by creating a new project in SAP Cloud ALM.

• Enter general information

• Define the timeline, scope, and methodology (e.g., SAP Activate).

• Set up users, identify roles and assign team members.

  
  

2. Scoping and Requirement Management

Use the Requirements App to capture and prioritize business needs.

• Categorize requirements by business process or module (e.g., Finance, Logistics).

• Link requirements to best practices or new configurations to be deployed.

• Track status, approval, and completion per requirement.

  
  

3. Task and Workstream Management

Break down the implementation into workstreams and assign deliverables using the Task Management App.

• Create tasks based on SAP Activate phases: Discover, Prepare, Explore, Realize, Deploy, and Run.

• Assign responsibilities, set deadlines, and track progress in real time.

  
  

4. Process and Fit-to-Standard Workshops

Leverage the Process Management capability to explore standard SAP business processes and identify gaps.

• Annotate diagrams with requirements and decisions from workshops.

• Create user stories directly linked to processes and tasks.

  
  

5. Test Planning and Execution

Once configurations are ready, use Test Management to prepare and execute testing cycles.

• Create test cases linked to user stories or requirements.

• Assign test responsibilities and monitor test progress via dashboards.

• Execute manual or automated tests, log results, and track defects.

  
  

6. Change and Deployment Management

Use the Deployment Management App to move changes across your landscape.

• Track transport requests, approvals, and deployment steps.

• Ensure governance and avoid unauthorized changes to production.

  
  

7. Monitoring and Operations (Post Go-Live)

Once the system is live, transition smoothly into operational monitoring.

• Use built-in tools to monitor integrations, application performance, and user experience.

• Set alerts and KPIs to proactively manage issues.

  
  

8. Collaboration and Documentation

At every stage, SAP Cloud ALM supports documentation and collaboration.

• Upload key project documents, designs, and decisions.

• Use comments and tagging to facilitate discussions and approvals.

  
  

Managing SAP implementation and upgrade projects through SAP Cloud ALM significantly improves efficiency, transparency, and collaboration. The platform integrates all the key components of project execution; from planning and scoping to testing and go-live support, into a single, unified space.

Author

Josiane Laure Modjom, CPA

SAP Certified Specialist