Embarking on an implementation project requires a lot of careful
thought beforehand. You need to think about what you want to accomplish, the
optimum sequence, and the business cases that are best suited to your needs.
But SAP has already done a lot of the thinking for you and packaged its findings
in the following tools. They are then described in more detail in the following
chapters organized according to the corresponding AcceleratedSAP phases.

1. AcceleratedSAP (ASAP): A comprehensive solution for the
   introduction of the R/3 System in your enterprise. ASAP and most of its tools
   can be used independently of an R/3 installation.

• The Project Estimator, an internal SAP tool which enables SAP consultants
  to accurately gauge the required resources, the costs and the time frame of
  implementation. The Project Estimator takes into account the project scope
  and several project and risk factors.
• The Concept Check Tool, a tool enabling you to carry out quality
  checks on the project preparation, technical infrastructure and R/3 configuration
  settings. This is done mainly during the first two implementation phases of
  the R/3 project. In this way you are alerted to potential data volume and
  configuration conflicts that could lead to performance issues if not addressed.
• The Implementation Assistant: The ASAP navigation tool that accompanies
  you through the five phases of implementation down to the task level. It includes
  a description and a detailed “how-to” for each task in the Roadmap. Along
  with that, many tools, templates and documents are hyperlinked to the task.
  The Implementation Assistant contains the following elements:

• ASAP Implementation Roadmap and Project Plan. The Roadmap
  contains the five phases, from which you can drill down into work packages,
  activities and tasks. The Project Plan contains three components, a
  budget plan, a resource plan and a work plan. These are explained in more
  detail in the next chapter.

The ASAP Roadmap is the successor of the R/3-based Procedure
Model, which was used until Rel. 3.1 in R/3 implementation projects.

• Knowledge Corner, containing tips and tricks for configuration
  from consultants, detailed documentation on SAP’s implementation services,
  information on technical tools, as well as simplification guidebooks and R/3
  Customizing wizards.

• Question and Answer Database (Q&Adb). Using the R/3
  Reference Model structure, the Q&Adb is used to assist in gathering requirements
  for business processes, conversions, reports, interfaces, enhancements and
  authorizations. The database provides useful questionnaires to help you define
  the process needs and also serves as a repository for all this information.
  Since it is a database, it allows for flexible reporting. The business requirements
  generated from the Q&Adb are collectively known as the Business Blueprint.

• Business Process Master List, to manage configuration,
  testing and the creation of end user documentation. The Business Process Master
  List is linked to pre-written Business Process Procedures (BPPs), detailled
  end-user documentation for R/3 transactions.
• Issues Database: supporting project management, this database
  supports the entering, monitoring and managing of issues that come up during
  the project.

1. R/3 Business Engineer: The implementation tools for the
   high-quality configuration of the R/3 System are:

• R/3 Reference Model: Comprehensive graphical process flows
  describing the R/3 functionality from different points of view. It contains
  scenarios, processes and functions, as well as components. The R/3 Reference
  Model can be viewed using SAP’s Business Navigator and the Business
  Navigator Web, or using third-party modeling tools available from modeling
  partners.

• Implementation Guide (IMG): Used to configure all system
  parameters for the business processes in R/3. It contains project management
  functionality and a menu-driven view of all R/3 Customizing activities. Every
  activity can be documented in detail, and responsibilities and statuses can
  be assigned.

1. Preconfigured systems:

• Preconfigured US and Canadian clients: Provides a head
  start on baseline configuration. It includes a preconfigured US/Canadian chart
  of accounts, print forms, account determination, units of measure, etc. The
  predefined test sequences that are included can be a starting point for integration
  testing.
• Preconfigured industry systems: A number of complete preconfigured
  clients consisting of an industry-specific model and preconfigured business
  processes for the needs of a particular industry in R/3 are available. For
  more information on preconfigured systems, see the description of Phase 2,
  Business Blueprint or the information on the IDES System in this chapter.