Simplifying the SAP S/4HANA Upgrade with GenAI + SAFe
When you hear "SAP implementation," "simple" usually isn't the first word that comes to mind.
Much like summiting a Colorado 14er, the journey often feels steep, unpredictable, and filled with moments where turning back would be easier than pushing forward. But the summit—and the transformation—only comes to those who keep climbing.
My own journey with SAP has been a story of extremes—one full of lessons about complexity, automation, and, ultimately, modernization.
An Unexpected First Encounter: SAP and the Art of Automation
My introduction to SAP came during the development of an eCommerce distribution center at Under Armour. And let me tell you—it shattered every preconceived notion I had about ERP systems.
Instead of the traditional finance-and-procurement backend most people associate with SAP, what I witnessed was a masterclass in supply chain orchestration.
SAP didn't just "support the business"; it ran the distribution operation, synchronizing robotic pickers, conveyor belts, human operators, and real-time inventory systems into a high-velocity ballet of precision and speed.
Most people don't realize that SAP's distribution and automation capabilities can serve as the literal nerve center of a logistics powerhouse—until you see it in action.
That experience taught me something important:
SAP, when properly architected and executed, can be more than an administrative system. It can be a competitive weapon.
A More Traditional Challenge: Surviving the ERP Beast
My second brush with SAP was more typical—and a lot more painful.
At Laureate Education, we embarked on a large-scale SAP implementation touching finance, HR, procurement, and student lifecycle management. It was everything you'd expect from a "classic" ERP project:
Massive scope
Endless process workshops
Stakeholder fatigue
A looming "big bang" go-live that kept everyone up at night
Frankly, the initiative would not have survived without the discipline brought by Accenture and the structure of the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe).
SAFe gave us:
A steady, reliable cadence to manage risk
Incremental delivery, so sponsors saw progress early
Ongoing engagement, so alignment never slipped
It wasn't easy—but it worked.
And it left me convinced: no matter how complex the system, agility is essential to success.
The New Frontier: The S/4HANA Upgrade
Today, SAP customers around the world are facing a new existential challenge: the move to S/4HANA.
SAP's sunsetting of ECC and legacy systems forces a choice: modernize or risk obsolescence.
But this upgrade is not a "technical refresh." It is a full-fledged transformation that touches:
Business processes
Data models
Custom code
Integration layers
Security frameworks
Organizations are asking important questions:
How do we upgrade without destabilizing day-to-day operations?
How can we avoid falling into another "big bang" trap?
The traditional ERP playbook will not save you.
The world moves faster now. Customer expectations shift quarterly. Employees will not tolerate clunky systems.
"Get it right in five years" is no longer a viable strategy.
SAFe: Your Operating Model for a Smarter Upgrade
The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) offers a modern, proven blueprint for SAP transformation—one that fits the realities of today's business environment.
Large Solution SAFe: Best suited for global, multi-brand, highly integrated SAP landscapes. Large Solution SAFe manages the orchestration of multiple Agile Release Trains (ARTs), aligns cross-functional teams, and continuously surfaces and mitigates systemic risk.
Essential SAFe and Solution SAFe: Ideal for regional instances or focused process domains where a lighter-weight approach is more appropriate. You still gain Lean-Agile rigor—without the overhead of larger configurations.
Across all configurations, SAFe provides:
Incremental value delivery aligned to business outcomes
Structured governance with enough flexibility to adapt
Continuous risk management integrated into every iteration
A human-centric model that keeps stakeholders engaged and empowered
SAFe’s relevance to SAP transformations is not theoretical—it is explicitly recognized within the SAP Activate methodology.
The SAP Activate: Project Management for SAP S/4HANA guide highlights SAFe as a preferred delivery model for organizations seeking a scalable, iterative, and business-aligned implementation approach.
Activate emphasizes that frameworks like SAFe bring needed discipline to Agile SAP projects by providing essential structure around:
Governance
Backlog management
Release planning
Dependency resolution
These are core challenges in any SAP deployment.
In short:
Activate provides the "what"—the milestones, phases, and checkpoints.
SAFe delivers the "how"—the operating model that turns a plan into an outcome.
Together, Activate and SAFe combine the best of strategy and execution, unlocking the speed, transparency, and enterprise agility required for today’s most successful SAP transformations.
GenAI: Fuel for Your Acceleration
Now, let's layer in GenAI.
GenAI is not a silver bullet, but it is a catalyst. Applied correctly, it radically shortens timelines and reduces human friction points.
GenAI can:
Analyze and categorize custom SAP code to accelerate modernization
Generate test cases, user documentation, and change management assets
Automate elements of regression testing and code remediation
Predict integration risks and propose mitigation strategies
In practical terms:
GenAI does not replace your SAP upgrade team—it amplifies their effectiveness, and brings usable outcomes to fruition even faster.
A Smarter, More Human Approach to Modernization
Upgrading to S/4HANA is not "just" an IT project.
It is an opportunity to rethink how your organization operates, serves customers, and competes.
It demands a shift away from "big bang or bust" toward a model of continuous modernization and rapid learning.
To succeed, you need:
A structure (SAFe) to deliver iteratively and continuously
AI acceleration (GenAI) to handle the heavy lifting and surface insights faster
Executive sponsorship willing to embrace a new way of working
Cross-functional teams aligned around delivering real business value
The old way—big budgets, endless consulting armies, and the blind hope of a perfect cutover weekend—will not get you there.
I have seen what happens when organizations stay stuck.
And I have seen what happens when they adapt, move smarter, and work with systems instead of fighting against them.
In the SAP world, agility is not a luxury anymore. It is a survival skill.
Parting Advice
Do not fear the complexity — understand it.
Do not chase perfection — optimize for progress.
Do not "wait until you are ready" — start iterating now.
If you are about to embark on your S/4HANA journey:
Embrace SAFe.
Harness GenAI.
Build momentum early.
Because just like a mountain summit, the hardest parts come right before the breakthrough.
Turning back is easy.
But the view from the top — the transformation you achieve — is worth every step.
In a world where change is the only constant, adaptability is your superpower.