10 Pitfalls in a SAP S/4HANA Migration – And How to Avoid Them

Migrating to SAP S/4HANA is a fundamental transformation of how your business operates. With new architecture, data models, and integrations to consider, the transition comes with significant risks. Many organizations underestimate the complexity and fall into common traps that lead to costly delays, unexpected disruptions, and even business-critical failures.

The good news? Many of these pitfalls can be avoided with a strategic approach to Quality Assurance (QA). Let’s explore some of the most critical challenges, and how you can mitigate them.

The pitfalls that can derail your SAP S/4HANA migration

One of the first mistakes organizations make is inadequate planning and scope definition. All too often, companies focus solely on the technical aspects of migration, assuming that the transition will be straightforward. However, without a well-defined roadmap that takes dependencies, data complexity, and business process changes into account, the project can quickly go off track. Poor planning often results in unrealistic expectations, misalignment between teams, and unanticipated roadblocks that surface late in the project. A structured QA strategy that begins at the planning stage helps organizations conduct risk assessments, define test strategies, and ensure validation processes are in place to prevent last-minute disruptions.

Another critical mistake is overlooking third-party integrations. Businesses rarely operate in isolation, and their SAP environments are often deeply interconnected with external systems, including banking platforms, customer relationship management (CRM) software, and supply chain tools. When companies fail to thoroughly test these integrations, they risk broken workflows, failed transactions, and compliance issues that can have far-reaching consequences. QA teams play a crucial role in mitigating these risks by conducting end-to-end integration testing to validate seamless connectivity between SAP and third-party applications.

Don’t forget performance testing in an SAP S/4HANA migration

Performance testing is another frequently underestimated factor in a successful migration. While SAP S/4HANA is designed for greater speed and efficiency, that doesn’t guarantee optimal performance across all use cases. If companies fail to conduct thorough performance testing, they may encounter system slowdowns, bottlenecks, or degraded user experience, particularly under heavy usage loads. This can lead to frustration among employees and customers alike. QA teams conduct rigorous load, stress, and scalability testing to ensure the system operates efficiently, even under peak conditions. By proactively addressing performance concerns, businesses can avoid system failures and ensure a smooth transition for end-users.

A lack of stakeholder alignment can also create major hurdles during an SAP migration. Large-scale projects like these involve multiple teams, including IT departments, business leaders, end-users, and external vendors. When these groups are not on the same page, priorities become misaligned, and decision-making slows down. Without clear communication and shared objectives, the project risks veering off course. Quality Assurance helps bridge this gap by aligning testing efforts with business goals and ensuring that all stakeholders are engaged throughout the migration process. When testing is transparent and collaborative, companies can avoid costly misunderstandings and delays.

Another area where businesses often struggle is data strategy. Many organizations underestimate the effort required to clean, migrate, and validate data as it moves to SAP S/4HANA. Poor data quality can lead to inconsistencies, missing information, and regulatory compliance challenges. If master data is not properly aligned, key business processes such as order-to-cash or procure-to-pay may not function correctly after migration. Quality Assurance ensures that data validation, integrity checks, and reconciliation testing are embedded throughout the migration process, reducing the risk of errors and ensuring that migrated data remains reliable and accurate.

How to ensure a smooth migration

These are just a few of the pitfalls that organizations face during a SAP S/4HANA migration. From security vulnerabilities to neglecting post-migration quality assurance, there are many other risks that can threaten project success. However, companies that incorporate a robust QA framework into their migration strategy significantly improve their chances of success. By prioritizing structured testing, performance validation, stakeholder alignment, and data integrity, organizations can avoid costly mistakes and keep their migration on track.

TTC Global, with its extensive expertise in SAP transformations, can guide you through each phase of the migration, helping you navigate complexities and avoid these common pitfalls.

If you want to dive deeper into the full list of challenges and learn the best strategies to mitigate them, download our whitepaper: 10 SAP S/4HANA Migration Pitfalls That Quality Assurance Helps Address.  It’s your roadmap to a smooth, risk-free migration.