PwC SAP S/4HANA Phase Zero

Creating Clarity, Safeguarding your transformation

Modernising your enterprise platform is an investment in possibilities. It offers great value but also adds significant risk to your business, depending on the path you follow.

The journey to SAP S/4HANA can be driven by several factors:

The impending discontinuation of mainstream support for SAP ECC by the end of 2027
A need for streamlined, cost-efficient processes and enhanced reporting capabilities
A desire to adopt new business models powered by a digital core

"Greater than 70% of respondents view cost-efficient processes and improved reporting as critical drivers influencing the decision to begin a SAP S/4HANA transformation."

2024 The Journey to SAP S4/HANA in Africa - key lessons from PwC research

Yet organisations often face challenges in identifying the right migration path—a path that effectively balances business value realisation with low risk and the practicalities of a technical migration. Key considerations include assessing Key Design Decisions (“KDDs” / “Big rocks”), architecture, developing a comprehensive roadmap, and establishing the resource requirements (both human and financial) needed to build a credible business case.

Without the right strategy and clear roadmap, SAP modernisation projects risk falling short of expectations, exceeding timelines and budgets, and facing operational disruptions. Success begins with upfront alignment between IT and business stakeholders, making critical design decisions, and establishing a robust foundation to capture the full benefits of SAP S/4HANA and the new ways of working it enables.

“The PwC S/4HANA Phase Zero uses a structured method that qualifies the transformation approach, identifies process and application challenges, and maps out S/4HANA solutions before the transformation even begins.”

Teko Mojaki, PwC Africa SAP Alliance Leader, PwC South Africa

A Proven Approach to Kickstart Your SAP S/4HANA Journey

PwC has developed a pre-migration approach called "Phase Zero" to ensure a successful transition to SAP S/4HANA and supporting other SAP enterprise applications. This approach includes several key tasks and deliverables that act as checkpoints, ensuring all critical migration considerations are analysed and confirmed. Key Design Decisions are embedded into the methodology, providing visibility to the business on available options and the rationale behind each pre-migration decision. This upfront alignment reduces costly rework and confusion down the line.

“Our common objective is that you reap the full benefits of an ERP transformation. This is safeguarded using leading practices and teams of experts that bring technical SAP expertise and business savvy to the table during the PwC S/4HANA Phase Zero.”

Charlotte Kwint, Finance Transformation Leader, PwC South Africa

A Focus on No-Regret Decisions to Drive Success

Phase Zero is a period of preparation geared towards making those no-regret decisions that will ensure the successful delivery of your solution, with the following outcomes in mind:

1. Visibility of high-impact design decisions - Adopt a principle-based approach to guide strategic design decisions. Understand the necessary decisions, available options, implications, and recommendations aligned with your strategic objectives.

2. Value unlocked through business transformation - To secure business benefits, the implementation must improve how your people experience their work — in both the technology they use and the processes that support the business.

3. A comprehensive, safe migration plan - Instill confidence by planning the migration timelines, effort, cost to deliver, and the internal resource commitments required to achieve your ambitions, based on the determined migration approach (e.g., Brownfields, Hybrid, Greenfields).

A PwC S/4HANA Phase Zero, typically run over 8 to 12 weeks, results in a clear picture of the targeted process and functional scope, underpinned by a benefit case, a suitable target architecture, an appropriate transformation roadmap, a valid project setup, a change management strategy, and an investment requirement.

At the conclusion of Phase Zero, your organisation will be fully prepared to confidently embark on its SAP modernisation journey, backed by a solid plan and strategic alignment.

Benefits of PwC's Phase Zero Approach

Ensures that both IT and business teams agree on the project scope and expectations, minimising misunderstandings later.

Establish a shared vision and guiding principles to inform a robust business case and an effective implementation strategy.

Focus on key design decisions upfront to create a high-quality solution, avoiding rework or costly retrofitting.

Leverage this opportunity to optimise key processes, delivering benefits to the business and increasing user adoption.

Build a strong foundation for smooth program planning, enabling realistic goal setting and effective project execution.

Gain clarity and certainty with detailed costing models, resource requirements, and a comprehensive analysis of the total cost of ownership.

Reduce unnecessary delays and streamline the design process by enabling parallel workstreams and efficient decision-making.

Architect a well-integrated solution by considering both SAP Core (S/4HANA) and Edge solutions (such as BW/4HANA, Datasphere, and SAC) to maximise operational effectiveness and flexibility.

Trust PwC to be your SAP modernisation partner

Expert guidance can make all the difference in de-risking complex digital transformations. At PwC, we bring proven expertise, industry tailored insights, and a relentless focus on quality to help your organisation succeed in its SAP S/4HANA journey.

By partnering with PwC, you gain:

Directly Relevant Experience - In South Africa, we've delivered pre-migration assessments and implementations for numerous clients. Our global network enables us to draw on lessons from other regions, ensuring your program is set up for success. We are proud of our 100% implementation success rate, both locally and globally.
Business-Led Approach - We go beyond the technical aspects of migration, focusing on maximizing business benefits and embedding change that resonates with both technology and business stakeholders.
Certified SAP Experts - Our experienced SAP S/4HANA partners and certified experts will tailor Phase Zero to your unique requirements and guide you through every step of your journey.
Comprehensive Expertise - With access to a wide range of industry, operations, finance, and tax specialists, PwC helps you unlock the full value of SAP S/4HANA and achieve meaningful outcomes.

Ready to get started on your transformation to S/4HANA? Reach out to PwC to have a discussion around your organisation’s unique journey.