Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The adoption of SAP S/4HANA as a modern enterprise resource planning platform has prompted organizations worldwide to reconsider the methodologies through which such large-scale implementations are delivered. Two prominent approaches have emerged at the forefront of this discourse: the Agile methodology, which emphasizes iterative development, continuous stakeholder collaboration, and adaptive planning; and the Accelerated SAP (ASAP) methodology, a structured, phase-driven framework developed specifically for SAP implementations. This paper presents a comparative study of both methodologies in the context of SAP S/4HANA deployments, examining their foundational principles, lifecycle stages, suitability for enterprise complexity, and practical outcomes. Drawing upon a synthesis of academic literature, industry case studies, and practitioner frameworks, this research evaluates the strengths, limitations, and applicability of each methodology across different organizational contexts. The findings indicate that neither approach is universally superior; rather, the choice depends on factors such as project scope, organizational readiness, risk tolerance, and the degree of business process customization required. The paper concludes by proposing a hybrid framework that integrates the structured governance of ASAP with the flexibility and responsiveness of Agile, offering a practical roadmap for SAP S/4HANA project delivery in complex enterprise environments.
Author: Nirmala Parixit Patel
Language: English
Subfield: Management Information Systems
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7167054485