The following partner insight was authored by Abigail Allman - Head of SAP Ecosystem and Engagement at Resulting IT.
Why Europe Is Further Ahead in S/4HANA Migration
Across the Atlantic, organizations approaching SAP S/4HANA transformation are often taking subtly different paths—particularly when it comes to Phase Zero, the critical preparation phase before transformation begins.
Phase Zero is about gaining a clear understanding of your current state, future objectives, and transformation strategy. Crucially, it avoids locking into technical solutions too early. It ensures you're asking the right questions before you try to answer them.
What’s notable is that European organizations, having been earlier to move on S/4HANA in some sectors, are providing valuable lessons on how to approach this phase to set up transformations for greater long-term success.
The Risk of Jumping into S/4HANA System Design
In the US, Phase Zero is often influenced heavily by systems integrators (SIs) and used as an early steppingstone into solution design. While this can create a feeling of momentum, it risks rushing into technical decisions before the business case is fully understood. This can close down valuable options prematurely.
Another consideration is independence. SIs often wear two hats—advising on strategy while also pursuing future delivery work. This dual role can subtly steer decisions towards solutions that suit delivery pipelines rather than your strategic needs. Early design work can sometimes morph into an informal pre-sales process.
A More Measured Approach: Gaining Clarity Before Commitment
What European organizations—many now further down the S/4HANA adoption path—demonstrate is that Phase Zero delivers most value not through system design, but through business clarity.
They’ve focused Phase Zero efforts on defining current state, understanding business drivers, and shaping the future journey at a business level before diving into technology choices. This measured approach helps them avoid premature decisions and leads to more successful transformations and better live systems.
4 Lessons from Europe’s Phase Zero Experience
- Independence Drives Better Outcomes
Organizations getting the most from S/4HANA understand that Phase Zero advice should be independent of delivery. Clear separation results in better advice, less bias, and more informed decisions. - Agility Beats Assumptions
Overcommitting too early can be costly. A higher-level, more exploratory Phase Zero keeps valuable options open and allows more agility as clarity grows. - Business Before Technology
Transformations succeed when they’re driven by business needs first—target operating models, pain points, and priorities. Technology decisions should follow, not lead. - Preparedness Sets You Up for Success
Stronger Phase Zero work leads to clearer RFPs and sharper business cases. When the time comes to engage delivery partners, you’re in a far stronger position to drive value and control outcomes.
Independent Advice for Your S/4HANA Phase Zero
Resulting IT is the world’s best-loved SAP consultancy, with a 93% NPS. As leading lights of the European SAP community, we’ve worked on many of the region’s largest Phase Zero and S/4HANA programs. We specialize in providing independent Phase Zero advice to help you avoid costly mistakes and lay solid foundations for your S/4HANA transformation.
Meet us at this year’s SAP for Utilities event in Denver, from September 8-10. We’d love to share how taking a more measured, business-led approach to Phase Zero can help you get more certainty from your S/4HANA investment.
Abigail Allman is Head of SAP Ecosystem and Engagement at Resulting IT. For more cutting-edge insights from Resulting IT, register to attend the SAP for Utilities, Presented by ASUG conference this fall (Sept. 8-10; in Denver, Colorado).