Revolutionizing SAP Migrations – Automated Testing for Seamless Quality Assurance

Though transformative, SAP migrations are complex projects that require meticulous planning and flawless execution. Organizations transitioning to SAP S/4HANA or other SAP platforms face unique challenges—from ensuring data integrity to validating end-to-end business processes. Automated testing is emerging as a game changer in this arena, enabling faster, more reliable migrations while safeguarding operational continuity. An experienced guide can help you make this journey safely and successfully.

What are the challenges of quality assurance in SAP migrations?

SAP systems are highly intricate, with deeply integrated modules, customizations and configurations. These complexities create unique challenges for quality assurance (QA) during migrations. First, time and budget constraints often dominate SAP migration projects. These initiatives operate under strict deadlines and predefined budgets, leaving little room for error. The post-go-live phase, commonly known as ‘hypercare’, can last up to 16 weeks and demands significant resources if quality assurance efforts during the migration are insufficient. Effective QA strategies are essential to avoid costly delays and overruns.

Second, manual testing is not a viable option for SAP migrations. Given the sheer complexity of these systems, which involve numerous workflows, and integration dependencies, manual testing is both time-consuming and error-prone. Achieving the level of thoroughness required within a reasonable timeline is virtually impossible with manual methods alone. The risk of overlooking critical errors or inconsistencies is too high, potentially jeopardizing the entire migration effort.

We know that many organizations are delaying the move to S/4 because of the high cost and the expected length of the project. Test automation can take these inhibitors away.

Why is automated testing essential for SAP migrations?

Automated testing offers several advantages over manual testing, particularly in the context of SAP migrations:

Speed and efficiency: Automated tests execute faster than manual ones, allowing teams to validate functionalities, data, and integrations more rapidly. In a migration, where multiple iterations of data migration and testing are common, automation accelerates repetitive tasks such as regression testing and data validation.

Increased test coverage: Automation enables comprehensive coverage, including edge cases and complex workflows. This is critical in migrations, where overlooking a single scenario can disrupt operations post-go live.

Accuracy and consistency: Automated testing minimizes human error, ensuring consistent and reliable results. This is especially vital when validating data integrity and functional accuracy during migrations.

How do you balance costs and benefits of test automation?

While the upfront costs of automation tools can seem high, the long-term benefits far outweigh the initial investment. Maintenance costs are significantly lower, and modern tools are increasingly user-friendly, offering low-code or no-code interfaces that reduce the learning curve. Organizations can measure the return on investment (ROI) through key performance indicators (KPIs) such as reduced test cycle duration, cost savings from minimized manual effort, and improved defect detection rates.

Keep reading for some examples of how we saved organizations both cost and money. But don’t take just my word for that. According to a recent IDC report, commissioned by SAP and Tricentis, organizations using Tricentis solutions like Tosca for test automation realize benefits of over USD 5 million on an annual basis. Automated testing increases team capabilities and throughput, while also facilitating more agile and effective development activities.

Five best practices for test automation in SAP migrations

To maximize the impact of automated testing, organizations should adhere to these best practices:

1. Define a clear automation strategy: Establish objectives, such as reducing manual effort or increasing test coverage. Identify high-priority test cases—like regression and data validation—and choose tools that align with SAP’s unique requirements.
2. Choose SAP-specific solutions: Solutions such as Tricentis Tosca are tailored to and tightly integrated with SAP environments, supporting technologies like Fiori and S/4HANA.
3. Focus on high-value test cases: Prioritize automating repetitive, high-risk tests while reserving manual testing for exploratory and user acceptance testing (UAT). Use a solution like LiveCompare for impact analysis, allowing you to build a risk catalog and focus on test cases where impact is expected to be biggest.
4. Maintain data integrity: Use automation to verify data accuracy, completeness, and consistency between legacy and new systems. Automated reconciliation scripts are invaluable for large data volumes.
5. Invest in training and change management: Equip your teams with the knowledge to effectively use automation tools, and foster a culture that embraces the shift from manual testing to automated testing. Enabling the teams is key in implementing a new way of working.

How test automation creates a shortcut to simplicity in your migration

Over the years, TTC Global has built up extensive expertise in helping organizations set up a test automation strategy to facilitate their SAP migrations.

• At a car manufacturer, we implemented test automation, allowing the customer to run over 1.800 unique SAP end-to-end test cases each week. This led to 50% cost savings on regression testing and a 90% decrease in test execution time.
• At a consumer packaged goods company, we automated 2,500 scenarios with over 100,000 test steps, leading to a significant increase in regression testing, and allowing the customer to better focus their manual testing.
• At a transport agency we introduced test automation to prepare for a SAP migration, decreasing test execution time by over 90%. An hour and a half of automated testing replaced a 15 persons/day testing effort.

Embarking on a SAP migration is a daunting task, but bringing in our expertise can make all the difference. With our proven S/4 Migration Quality Engineering (QE) methodology, an S/4 QE readiness assessment, our SAP QE platform and SAP accelerator packs, we have what it takes to minimize risks, accelerate timelines, and ensure a seamless migration.

Thanks to our knowledge of new technologies like Artificial Intelligence and our experience with low-code/no-code tools, we assist organizations in creating a shortcut to simplicity. By taking away part of the complexity in a migration journey, we deliver business value faster.

Automated testing is not just a technical upgrade; it’s a strategic enabler for successful SAP migrations. By leveraging automation, organizations can revolutionize their QA processes, ensuring that their migration projects not only meet but exceed expectations.

Are you ready to take your QA strategy to the next level and use test automation as an accelerator to your SAP migration? Contact us.