SAP S/4HANA is the latest and most advanced ERP system from SAP, designed to help enterprises run faster, smarter, and simpler. SAP S/4HANA offers a range of benefits, such as real-time analytics, simplified data model, improved user experience, cloud readiness, and innovation capabilities. However, migrating to SAP S/4HANA is not a trivial task. It requires careful planning, execution, and change management.

One of the key decisions that enterprises need to make when moving to SAP S/4HANA is the implementation strategy. 

There are three main options: 

• Greenfield, 
• Brownfield, and 
• Hybrid. 

Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on the business context, goals, and requirements.

In this blog post, we will focus on the Greenfield approach, which is a complete reengineering of the business processes and workflows using SAP S/4HANA. We will discuss what a greenfield implementation entails, why it is important to have a UX strategy for it, and how to create one.

What is a greenfield implementation?

A greenfield implementation is a brand-new, vanilla installation of SAP S/4HANA, where enterprises start from a clean slate and add their needed configurations and customizations. This approach provides a fresh start to optimize the business processes and workflows according to the best practices and standards of SAP S/4HANA.

A greenfield implementation can be done either on-premise or in the cloud, and allows users to predefine migration objects. It also results in lower total-cost-of-ownership (TCO) and faster time-to-value.

However, a greenfield implementation also has some challenges and risks. It requires a lot of time and effort to migrate all the data from the legacy system to the new one. It also requires a lot of change management and training for the end users, who need to adapt to the new system and processes. Moreover, it may require redeveloping some of the critical customizations that were previously running on the old system.

Why is UX strategy important for greenfield implementations?

User experience (UX) is the overall perception and satisfaction that users have when interacting with a product or service. UX encompasses aspects such as usability, accessibility, aesthetics, functionality, performance, and emotions.

UX is especially important for Greenfield Implementations of SAP S/4HANA, because it directly affects the adoption and success of the new system. A good UX can increase user productivity, efficiency, satisfaction, and loyalty. A bad UX can cause user frustration, confusion, errors, and resistance.

Therefore, having a UX strategy for greenfield implementations is essential to ensure that the new system meets the user needs and expectations, as well as the business goals and requirements. A UX strategy is a plan that defines how to deliver a positive UX throughout the entire lifecycle of the product or service.

How to create a UX strategy for greenfield implementations?

Creating a UX strategy for greenfield implementations involves four main steps:

1. Understand the users

The first step is to understand who are the users of the new system, what are their goals, tasks, pain points, preferences, and expectations. This can be done by conducting user research methods such as interviews, surveys, observations, personas, scenarios, etc.

The user research should cover both the current state (how users work with the legacy system) and the desired state (how users want to work with the new system). The user research should also involve different types of users (such as end users, managers, administrators) and different roles (such as salespeople, accountants, engineers).

The outcome of this step is a clear understanding of the user needs and requirements for the new system.

2. Define the UX vision

The second step is to define what is the desired UX for the new system. This can be done by creating a UX vision statement that summarizes the main value proposition and benefits of the new system for the users.

The UX vision statement should be aligned with the business goals and objectives of the migration project. It should also be inspiring and motivating for both the project team and the users.

The outcome of this step is a clear direction and purpose for the UX design of the new system.

3. Design the UX solution

The third step is to design how the new system will look like and behave for the users. This can be done by following a user-centered design process that involves activities such as ideation, sketching, prototyping, testing, and iteration.

The design process should leverage the capabilities and features of SAP S/4HANA, such as real-time analytics, simplified data model, improved user experience, cloud readiness, and innovation capabilities. It should also adhere to the design principles and guidelines of SAP Fiori, which is the UX framework and design language of SAP S/4HANA.

The outcome of this step is a UX solution that is feasible, viable, and desirable for the users and the business.

4. Implement and evaluate the UX solution

The fourth step is to implement and evaluate how the new system works in the real world for the users. This can be done by following a agile development process that involves activities such as development, testing, deployment, feedback, and improvement.

The implementation process should ensure that the UX solution is consistent, reliable, and scalable across different devices, platforms, and scenarios. It should also ensure that the UX solution is integrated with the existing systems and processes of the enterprise.

The evaluation process should measure how the new system meets the user needs and expectations, as well as the business goals and objectives. It should also identify any issues or gaps that need to be addressed or improved.

The outcome of this step is a UX solution that is validated, verified, and optimized for the users and the business.

Conclusion

A greenfield implementation of SAP S/4HANA is a great opportunity to transform the business processes and workflows of an enterprise using the latest and most advanced ERP system from SAP. However, it also requires a careful UX strategy to ensure that the new system delivers a positive user experience that drives adoption and success.

A UX strategy for greenfield implementations involves four main steps: understand the users, define the UX vision, design the UX solution, and implement and evaluate the UX solution. By following these steps, enterprises can create a UX solution that meets the user needs and expectations, as well as the business goals and objectives.

If you are interested in learning more about how to create a UX strategy for greenfield implementations of SAP S/4HANA, please contact us at Mobify Solutions. We are a company that offers SAP implementation and transformation services for enterprises. We create value by designing, innovating, and scaling SAP solutions that are easy to use and great to look at. We focus on four pillars of transformation: next-generation ERP, cloud, mobile, and social technologies. We have a reputation for implementing SAP successfully across industries and creating and delivering impact. We would love to hear from you and help you with your SAP journey.

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