SAP HANA Brownfield Migration – The Complete Checklist 2025
This compact Brownfield checklist will help you make a structured transition to SAP S/4HANA – step by step:
Phase 1: Preparation & Project Planning
☐ Document your SAP system landscape (ERP version, OS/DB, Unicode status)
☐ Define your target architecture (On-Premises, Private Cloud, RISE)
☐ Run Maintenance Planner and define the stack
☐ Analyze dependencies (add-ons, third-party tools, interfaces)
☐ Define project scope and milestones
☐ Estimate budget & resources
☐ Set up your project team with roles and responsibilities
☐ Involve key users & business departments early on
☐ Plan your communication strategy and project marketing
☐ Coordinate the backup strategy for all systems
☐ Coordinate the timeline and downtime windows
Phase 2: System Analysis & Preliminary Investigations
☐ Download and run SAP Readiness Check 2.0
☐ Repeat the Simplification Item Check regularly
☐ Analyze custom code using ATC & SCI
☐ Identify & mark unused custom code
☐ Check Business Functions & Industry Solutions
☐ Create and prepare your archiving strategy
☐ Analyze data volume & growth
☐ Perform HANA Sizing (CPU, RAM, Storage)
☐ Check system prerequisites (Kernel, DB, OS)
☑ Optionally activate CCLM (Custom Code Lifecycle Mgmt)
☑ Prepare Unicode conversion (if not already done)
☑ Check technical users and authorizations
Phase 3: Preparatory Steps
☑ Perform Unicode conversion (if still required)
☑ Update Support Packages & SPAM/SAINT
☑ Apply current SAP Notes (as per Maintenance Planner)
☑ Prepare SAP Solution Manager for DMO/SUM
☑ Review and get approval for add-ons and Business Functions
☑ Inventory interfaces (IDocs, RFC, BAPIs, Webservices)
☑ Document batch jobs and schedules
☑ Backup and evaluate transport requests
☑ Check workflows for compatibility
☑ Backup print and spool configuration
☑ SAP Fiori preparations (Embedded Deployment?)
☑ Clone system to sandbox or test environment
Phase 4: TECHNICAL MIGRATION & CONVERSION
☑ Full backup of database, application & filesystem
☑ Configure SUM with DMO mode (incl. benchmarking)
☑ Perform database migration to SAP HANA
☑ Verify table migration (Large Objects, Cluster, Pools)
☑ Check migration of user and role data
☑ Convert tables (MATDOC, ACDOCA, etc.)
☑ Process and confirm Simplification Items in SUM
☑ Manually adjust SPDD (Dictionary objects)
☐ Clean up & reconcile SPAU (repository objects)
☐ Rework custom code and perform unit tests
☐ Remap transaction codes and reports (e.g., KE24 → Fiori App)
☐ Regularly perform debugging and dump analysis
☐ Adjust system parameters (e.g., parallel degree, memory)
Phase 5: FUNCTIONAL TESTS & QUALITY ASSURANCE
☐ Check system startup & basic services (RFC, Spool, Background Jobs)
☐ Verify cross-client settings
☐ Monitor ST03N & ST22 for errors and dumps
☐ Test business processes (e.g., P2P, O2C, HCM, FI Closing)
☐ Test custom reports & user exits
☐ Validate workflows, forms (SmartForms, Adobe)
☐ Configure and test SAP Fiori Launchpad
☐ Test authorizations & roles in the new S/4HANA
☐ Capture performance benchmarks (STAD, HANA Studio)
☐ Perform integration tests with integrated systems
☐ Conduct acceptance tests with business departments (UAT)
☐ Document and approve regression tests
Phase 6: Go-Live & Post-Go-Live Support
☐ Finalize cutover plan with timings and responsible parties
☐ Define go-live processes per module
☐ Take the final delta backup
☐ Activate and release the production system
☐ Inform users & provide training if needed
☐ Activate monitoring (EarlyWatch, HANA Cockpit, Solution Manager)
☑ Log Analysis and Dump Monitoring
☑ Fix Authorization Issues
☑ Document and Prioritize Open Issues
☑ Document Lessons Learned
☑ Ensure Support Phase with Hypercare Team
☑ Identify Optimizations (e.g., Fiori, Embedded Analytics)
Conclusion
Get perfectly prepped with this comprehensive, battle-tested SAP S/4HANA Brownfield Checklist. It'll help you ensure a low-risk, controlled transformation. Remember, the better your groundwork, the smoother your migration will be!
