Software Project ManagementPuneet MehtaRajeev TiwariRatanjeet SinghSairam IyerSandeep Vadnere

SAP TESTING ALTERNATIVES-COST REDUCTION AND RISK ASSOCIATED

CURRENT ISSUES FACED BY IT DECISION MAKERS

ISSUES FACED

BY CIO’S AN

D CFO

’S

CIO’s and CFOs of

organisations

deploying ERP are

challenged by the

need to

Reduce total cost

of ownership

Convert their fixed IT assets

into variable

costs

Keep pace with the

latest innovation

s in technology and align

them to business

objectives

Find the most

relevant skill set for

efficient utilisation

of resources

supporting their ERP systems.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

CHALLEN

GE FACED

BY COM

PANY XYZ

XYZ Corp. needs a radical change in the current project plan vis-à-vis testing of the components. The present plan considers the internally hired experienced consultants to be able to complete the task but at a higher cost. To overcome

this following alternatives have to be evaluated.

PROPOSED SOLUTION AND IMPLEMENTATION

PROPO

SED SO

LUTIO

NProposed SolutionDecision Description Application

1Application 2

Outsourcing decision The decision underlines outsourcing the testing to some testing providers keeping track of them so as to finally arrive at an effective and cost effective solution with risk mitigation being taken into account.

   

Solution providers Leverage automated testing services from a testing provider say ABC:

Applications Automated testing applications from ABC (hypothetical vendor)

ABC TestDirector software, software and ABC PPM Center software.

ABC QuickTest ABC LoadRunner

SOLU

TION

BENEFITS

Solution Benefits

Benefit Description Case Study 1

Case Study 2

Service Improvements •Establishing a Test Centre of Excellence. •Aligning IT projects with business needs

ABC tools ABC tools

Better Control and risk mitigation

•Implementing better control of SAP environments and mitigating risk.•Providing a complete project methodology that defines a robust testing strategy.

Stability /IT governance •Delivering operational performance and service availability by taking a business-centric approach to measuring, managing, and maximising IT services. •Instigating IT Governance client initiatives to ensure delivery of projects that enable business growth and align IT strategies to business goals.

ABC ’S SAP CAPABILITY PROFILE

SAP CAPABILITY OF ABC

SAP Capability of ABC

Vendor profile Description Case Study 1

Case Study 2

Core area of expertise Major international force in SAP testing services. One of the few companies with global testing partner status

ABC tools ABC tools

Portfolio Full service SAP portfolio with key focus on testing services, including key industry sectors and key competence areas

Skill level and presence Support more than 100000 end users worldwideMulti-skilled teams –applications, technical, advanced business application programming (ABAP), SAP-certified consultantsCore SAP support centres in the UK, France, Netherlands, Portugal, India Philippines, Morocco, Czech Republic

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

IMPLEM

ENTATIO

N PLAN

Implementation Plan

Automated test tool Description Benefits 1 Benefits 2ABC Test director ABC TestDirector is a

complete project methodology that establishes a testing strategy for SAP implementation. It provides real-time visibility into application readiness and enables consistent quality processes. In fact, it forms the backbone of Test Centre of Excellence approach to SAP.

Quality Scalability

ABC Quick test ABC QuickTest Professional is used to undertake regression test automation. Automated testing has delivered significant benefits to the clients, particularly those once fully reliant on manual testing. By deploying ABC TestDirector and ABC QuickTest

Regression automation

Ease of integration

Combined Approach By deploying ABC TestDirector and ABC QuickTest Professional, we can have confidence in the reliability of its IT applications.

IMPLEM

ENTATIO

N PLAN

Implementation Plan

Automated test tool

Description Benefits 1 Benefits 2

Combined Approach

By deploying ABC TestDirector and ABC QuickTest Professional, we can have confidence in the reliability of its IT applications.

•Speed up testing to accelerate release•Allow testing to happen more frequently•Improve test coverage•Increase Go-Live confidence•Improve the reliability of testing•Define the testing process and reduce dependence on the few who know it

•Process Cost Reduction•Efficient processes and Automation reducing cycle time•Reduce cost of testing by reducing manual effort

COST RED

UCTIO

N IN

VOLVED

Support Cost Reduction

Single point contact to speed up testing

support

Reduce tool support & admin

costs

Test Execution Cost & Time Reduction through offshoring

RISKS ASSOCIATED AND MITIGATION PLAN

RISKS & M

ITIGATIO

N PLAN

Risks & Mitigation Plan

Risk type Types/Description Mitigation plans

Development Risk •Cost and Time Overruns•Possible Hidden Cost•Insufficient quality assurance•Poor project Management•Mediocre Technology

•Mature Methodology •Flexible process •Generally recognized industry standards•Process and Performance guidelines

Communication risk

•Time Consuming•Cultural Mismatch•Meeting client’s expectations

•Following Established Communication module •Cultural proximity •Experience in managing software outsourcing relations•Understand Business Values

RISKS & M

ITIGATIO

N PLAN

Risks & Mitigation Plan

Risk type Types/Description Mitigation plans

Security risk •Intellectual property•Business knowledge•Data privacy•Vendor’s infrastructure•End product security

•Protecting IP and sensitive data •Security infrastructure •Meeting contractual and legal requirements•Employing NDA’s

CONCLUSION

CHALLEN

GE FACED

BY COM

PANY XYZ

The decision to outsource the testing to some testing providers is no doubt cost effective but necessary due diligence before selecting the right outsourcing

partner

Taking care of risks involved and corresponding risk mitigation strategy is essential before undertaking any such outsourcing decision.

Thank You for your patience